Who Framed Roger Rabbit

Today marks the 30^th Anniversary of the release of the classic “Who Framed Roger Rabbit,” which came out in 1988. In celebration of its anniversary, I will be looking at the movie and let you know what I thought about it.

Robert Zemeckis directs this really innovative visual effects movie that flawlessly combines live action and animation. It’s based on the novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit? By Gary K. Wolf and is written by Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman. Dennis Schwartz said in his review, “In this zany production, cartoon characters become involved in a Dashiel Hammett-like film noir whodunnit. Even if the improbable story rolls along as childishly as a 1940's cartoon, the dialogue is snappy, the sight gags are terrific,the action is hilarious and the entire venture is very entertaining.” Also, the technical work is brilliant. It has become, rightfully titled, as a classic film.

Depressed down-on-his-luck detective Eddie Valiant (the late Bob Hoskins), now an alcoholic after his brother was recently killed when an unknown Toon (an insult used by humans to call the underpaid and categorized cartoon characters) dropped a piano on his head, is hired by the human studio entrepreneur R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern), the boss of Maroon Cartoons, to get some information on Jessica Rabbit (Kathleen Turner, but Amy Irving does her singing voice) because he’s concerned that her husband, the studio’s Toon star, Roger Rabbit (Charles Fleischer, who also played Dr. King in “The Nightmare on Elm Street”), who has the color of the American flag, is having trouble concentrating on his work. Schwartz noted, “Jessica is a beautiful nightclub torch singer, who is so hot she even turns Eddie on.” Eddie accepts the case simply because he needs the money and tries to overcome his prejudice for Toons by being professional. Eddie brings back photos of Jessica playing Patty Cake in the back room of the nightclub with the comedian human toy manufacturer Marvin Acme, played by Stubby Kaye, the supplier to the studios of suppress gadgets. The next day Acme is found dead and Roger Rabbit has to hide himself because he’s the main suspect.

In Hollywood in the year of 1947, the cartoon characters live in segregation in the L.A. suburb called “Toontown” where their movements are tracked by the evil Toon-hating human Judge Doom, voiced by Christopher Lloyd, and his Toon policeman pawns (Charles Fleischer, David Lander, Fred Newman and June Foray). Since Eddie hates the evil and scary Judge Doom, he accepts Roger Rabbit’s job offer to find out who framed him and hesitantly gives him safety while he investigates. His investigation takes him to a “Chinatown” system for the real murderer to take control of the perfect Toontown because he sees a soon to be built Freeway will pass through the area and that will mean a business increase for Toontown.

The technical accomplishments were just great thanks to British animator Richard Williams (recommended to executive producer Steven Spielberg by Looney Tunes director Chuck Jones. It was co-produced by Disney Studios and Spielberg) and with the help of effects artists, lead by Ken Ralston, at Industrial Light and Magic who worked on the live-action with the animation. Zemeckis and his special effects team made great visual effects, animation and matched it with great camera movement for the live action parts. They also gave the cartoon characters a shiny 3D effect. Schwartz commented, “It was a monumental effort in technology that still doesn't seem dated.”

The innovative movie was a landmark in animation, and despite it being a big-budget film (reportedly making over $70 million) it was a huge hit and ended up a great profit.

Despite the fact that this is a great movie that is considered a classic, I don’t think anyone should show this to their children. There’s drinking, swearing and Jessica Rabbit (even though I know she’s an animated character) does not look appropriate to be shown to children. However, this was made at a time when PG was targeted for older children, so I can see why they did that. Still, you should wait until the children are older to show them this. Although I can’t lie, this is a great film. If you haven’t seen this yet, don’t be reading my review! Go out and see it because it has to be seen to be believed, especially if you’re a fan of Zemeckis, Spielberg and all of these cartoon characters that make appearances in this movie. Just see it to know which ones I’m talking about. Also, this movie is also reflecting on the time of segregation with the cartoons being separated from the humans, which is very effective.

Happy 30^th Anniversary to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.” Stay tuned later today for the continuation of “Coen Brothers Month.”