It’s been ages since I thought about Looney Tunes – but here it is 2025 and there’s a full length movie starring Porky Pig and Daffy Duck. There are no humans, unlike the last three, this one is all about the cartoon characters.
The premise is simple – it’s in the title. In this origin story, Porky and Daffy (Looney Tunes alumni Eric Bauza) are de facto siblings who grow up together. The two have always been at odds – one more careful, thoughtful and the other crazy but who thinks big. Guess which is which? Anyway, the two find themselves front and centre of an alien-takes-over-the-world scenario. And they have to work together to save the world. But that’s not all folks – like any buddy movie, they need a third to balance the two, enter Petunia Pig (notable voicer over artist Candi Milo). Petunia is a flavour scientist at their town’s main employer: a bubble gum company. Her science unravels the secret that ultimately saves the day.
This is one movie that offers plenty in the way of family entertainment – there is action a plenty and the visuals are, as to be expected, brilliant in both senses of the word. It’s funny, laughs for both adults and children, and emotional. Both Daffy and Porky learn valuable life lessons about friendship, loyalty and what-really-matters.
Aside from the very few adult jokes, the plot offers nothing new. So when your mind wanders, the music and cartoon tropes offer a lot. Everything I know about classical music starts at Looney Tunes cartoons – who can ever forget Bugs’ Rabbit of Seville? My fave was ‘Chewy, Chewy’, Ohio Express’ bubblegum anthem of the 1960s and that swerved my attention to the soundtrack. The scorer Joshua Moshier has included Raymond Scott’s “Powerhouse”. It’s the instrumental for so many Looney Tunes action moments; once you recognize it, then it’s difficult to unhear its iterations throughout the movie. Also listen for Moshier’s other motifs interpreted for 21st century ears.
Looney Tune tropes never die. Petunia has the long eyelashes and hair bow that signify female. Porky doesn’t wear pants but does wear gloves, bowtie and a jacket. Daffy is ‘naked’ without feathers (look for the ‘crack’ joke) and spits when he talks. Press photographers wear hats and press badges and use old time-y cameras with lightbulb flashes. Labs have beakers with bubbling liquids, ufos have huge screens, and Acme still makes cement. Kisses make characters dopey, legs ‘wheel’ when running, and fighting causes dust clouds. They’re so ubiquitous, they’re invisible.
The Day the Earth Blew Up is worthy of big-screen viewing and a couple of hours; open your eyes and your ears to appreciate the film for what it is: an homage to the glory that is Looney Tunes. Oh, and stay until after the credits.
Screens from 27 March
Running Time 1hr 31 mins
Family Comedy
