WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT (1988)

Country: U.S.A.

Genre(s): Animated / Comedy

Director: Robert Zemeckis

Cast: Charles Fleischer / Bob Hoskins / Kathleen Turner

Plot

A down-and-out private eye investigates the murder of the owner of a popular cartoon studio and winds up protecting Roger, the wacky cartoon rabbit framed for the killing.

What I Liked

I am amazed at how well the blend of live action and animation still works nearly a quarter-century after I first saw this movie in the theater as a kid.  The special effects are immaculate, not at all antiquated by the now prevalent use of CGI that has dated so many older movies.  The effects on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” are actually all the more impressive now that I look upon them with adult eyes, knowing how meticulous and creative the filmmakers had to be in order to pull them off so perfectly and entertainingly.

Speaking of how impressive this movie’s visuals are without the help of CGI, even the non-animated scenes are striking for how well they create an authentic-feeling and very much alive 1940s-era Los Angeles.  The cars, the clothes, the streets, the buildings, the bars, they’re all there and none these live action elements seem cartoonish or idealized.

Of course effects and production values, no matter how good they are, rarely hold up over time if there’s no substance underneath the flash.  “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is – animation and gimmicks aside – an excellent buddy film supported by excellent performances all around (Christopher Lloyd really should cast in more good movies these days.)  Also important to keeping this one interesting, the script takes the conventions of several genres, shoves them all into a clown car together, jostles them around for a bit, and pops out with a wholly unique, genre-defying tribute to American pop culture.  As much as it parodies some familiar archetypes and clichés, “Who Frames Roger Rabbit” is never cynical, but instead embraces the fun of it all.

What I Disliked

If one goes into “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” in the wrong frame of mind, one runs the risk of a massive headache.  True to the animated characters who inspired it, this movie is a non-stop blast of obnoxious noise and color from start to finish.  Indeed the visual and audible noise only gets worse as the film goes along.  For some that’s all part of the fun.  Others may find it irritating and maybe even intolerable.  I can almost understand that perspective, as the film certainly isn’t one I would recommend putting on if you’re looking for relaxation and contemplation.  There’s no subtlety here, just insanity.  That said, if you turn this film off, you’ll be missing out on a dazzling little piece of Americana.

On a related note, some of the intended comedy in the movie falls flat.  In particular, many of the puns and slapstick disappoint.  Likewise, some of the sexual innuendos are crude without being the least bit amusing. Overall, though, these are made up for by the genuinely funny interactions between incurably grumpy Detective Valiant and the hopelessly manic title character.

Most Memorable Scene

There are several classic scenes in this film, but for me the most stunning was the initial car chase with Roger and Valiant charging through the streets of L.A. in an animated cab.  I’m a lover of car chases in general anyway, but this one stands out as a particularly wild.  Here the blend of the real and animated happens at hyper speed and yet remains technically flawless and marvelously entertaining.

My Rating: 4 out of 5