BUGS, DAFFY, ET AL. PROVE AN EASY CEL.Byline: Glenn Whipp Film Critic THE ADVERTISING campaign for ``Looney Tunes: Back in Action'' promises a shrill movie that emphasizes madcap action over character, noise over subtlety. It's a pleasure then to report that the beloved, classic Looney Tunes characters This is the complete list of Looney Tunes characters organised after the year of their first appearance. Note: The more famous or noteworthy Looney Tunes characters are listed in bold. are indeed back in action in a genuinely funny movie that takes a step in the right direction in restoring the adult sensibilities of this venerable cartoon franchise. It's not perfect, but, to borrow a phrase from Daffy, it's not ``dethpicable,'' either. ``Back in Action'' essentially builds on the simple premise that legendary Looney Tunes director Chuck Jones used to fine effect on many occasions: Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck don't much like each other (the jealousy comes solely from Daffy; Bugs can't be bothered to care), and their rivalry produces conflict, mayhem and a lot of good jokes. Here, Daffy, fed up with playing second banana to Bugs, throws a tantrum tan·trum n. A fit of bad temper. tantrum, n a sudden outburst or violent display of rage, frustration, and bad temper, usually occurring in a maladjusted child or immature or disturbed adult. and is fired by a studio executive played by Jenna Elfman. (``Back in Action,'' like ``Who Framed Roger Rabbit,'' blends animation with live action. Technically, the movie is a marvel.) When the studio suits find they need Daffy, Elfman and Bugs go looking for Looking for In the context of general equities, this describing a buy interest in which a dealer is asked to offer stock, often involving a capital commitment. Antithesis of in touch with. him. But Daffy has gotten himself in the middle of a spy intrigue involving a Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . security guard (Brendan Fraser), the guard's secret agent father (Timothy Dalton) and the nefarious head of the evil Acme corporation (a wild and crazy Steve Martin). The premise sets up a few loud and not particularly distinguished chase scenes that you see in the commercials. But it also gives director Joe Dante and screenwriter Larry Doyle the chance to cleverly insert dozens of great Looney Tunes characters into the story with rascals like Yosemite Sam, the Tasmanian Devil Tasmanian devil, extremely voracious marsupial, or pouched mammal, of the dasyure family, now found only on the island of Tasmania. The Tasmanian devil, Sarcophilus harrisi, formerly found also in Australia, is about 2 ft (60 cm) long, excluding the 12-in. , Wile E. Coyote, Marvin Martian and even Beaky Buzzard on the side of Acme, trying to derail de·rail intr. & tr.v. de·railed, de·rail·ing, de·rails 1. To run or cause to run off the rails. 2. the heroes along the way. Dante, Doyle and a host of uncredited un·cred·it·ed adj. 1. Not having been credited, as on a ledger: an uncredited deposit. 2. Not having been accorded due recognition: an uncredited discovery. screenwriters show a real knowledge and love for the Looney Tunes characters, and their affection pays dividends throughout the movie. While Elfman and Fraser are tolerable and Martin occasionally inspired, it's the constant barrage of cameos that holds your interest. A scene in the Warner Bros. commissary COMMISSARY. An officer whose principal duties are to supply the army with provisions. 2. The Act of April 14, 1818, s. 6, requires that the president, by and with the consent of the senate, shall appoint a commissary general with the rank, pay, and emoluments has Wile E. Coyote and Sam Sheepdog sheepdog: see working dog. sheepdog In general, any dog breed developed to herd sheep; specifically, the border collie. Most sheepdog breeds stand about 2 ft (60 cm) and weigh over 50 lbs (23 kg). matching wits in one corner and Porky Pig complaining to Speedy Gonzalez how it's a ``p-p-p-pain in the butt being p-p-p-politically correct'' over in another part of the room. It's a classic moment that will bring a smile to the face of anyone who grew up watching the great Looney Tunes shorts. Add in a fine romp in the Louvre Louvre (l  `vrə), foremost French museum of art, located in Paris. The building was a royal fortress and palace built by Philip II in the late 12th cent. where the characters hop in and out of paintings by Seurat, Dali and Munch, sly tributes to ``Psycho'' and Peter Lorre and the sight of the still-formidable Heather Locklear in a skimpy dance hall girl costume (we did say the movie is a return to the franchise's adult sensibilities) and you've got a pretty satisfying diversion. Besides, any movie that lets Yosemite Sam use the word ``absconders'' is OK in my book. Glenn Whipp, (818) 713-3672 glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION - Three stars (PG: mild language and innuendo) Starring: Brendan Fraser, Jenna Elfman, Steve Martin, Timothy Dalton, Heather Locklear. Director: Joe Dante. Running time: 1 hr. 23 min. Playing: Wide release. In a nutshell: A step in the right in direction in restoring the adult sensibilities to the beloved Looney Tunes characters. Certainly an improvement over ``Space Jam.'' CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Brendan Fraser suspects fowl play with Daffy Duck in the appropriately zany ``Looney Tunes: Back in Action.'' |
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