Who Framed Roger Rabbit is truly the definition of a landmark movie. Released in 1988. The film was revolutionary in it’s blending of animation and live-action. While the concept had been explored before in such movies as Anchors Aweigh, Song of the South, Pete’s Dragon, Mary Poppins among many others this was the first movie to make it truly convincing. When cartoon characters walk on floorboards they move or when hiding under water in a sink the titular character bursts out to gasp for air with water splashing everywhere. The technical wizardry is just astonishing. However the plot, humour and characters are a real highlight.
Set in Hollywood in 1947 The plot follows down and out detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) who has developed a drinking problem following the death of his brother who was killed by a cartoon character (or toons as they are referred to in the film) and never solved the case. This has led him to an absolute hatred towards toons, however when studio executive Marvin Acme is murdered the blame is put on cartoon star Roger Rabbit. Despite his prejudice Valiant believes Roger to be innocent and goes out of his way to clear prove so and protect him from the sadistic toon hating Judge Doom (played by a brilliant and terrifying Christopher Lloyd) while also along the way eventually befriending the rabbit.
As stated already the technical wizardry is just astonishing but the other aspects of the film are all dead on. Bob Hoskins is brilliant as Valiant in the movie that introduced him to American audiences. Christopher Lloyd who previously worked with Zemeckis on Back to the Future steals every scene he’s in as Judge Doom. The voice as acting is also stellar, Charles Fleischer is spot on as Roger Rabbit as is Kathleen Turner as Roger’s seductive wife Jessica (she’s not bad she’s just drawn that way).
The movie also has some brilliant adult humour the most memorable being when Roger is hiding in Eddie’s coat and can clearly be seeing sticking out. Eddie’s girlfriend Dolores response is priceless “is that a rabbit in your pocket or are you just happy to see me” or another brilliant hidden joke, while in toon town in a run down restroom writing can be seen on a wall saying for a good time call Alison wonderland which always cracks me up however I think the biggest accomplishment with this film was seeing Disney and Warner bros. characters on screen together. Touchstone studios who produced the film acquired the rights to both animation giants and so it is the only time you can see Donald and Daffy Duck or Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny on screen together. It would be almost be like seeing a superhero film that featured characters from both Marvel and DC comics.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is extremely entertaining from start to finish and never misses a beat with it’s homages to both golden age film noir and classic animation as well as the flawless blending of live-action and animation it is basically a perfect film that hits all the right notes.
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