The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie Parent Guide

Porky Pig (Eric Bauza) and Daffy Duck (also Eric Bauza) have been inseparable since they were found as babies by Farmer Jim (Fred Tatasciore), who raised them as his sons. Now grown up and on their own, the two find themselves in a predicament when they discover a huge hole in their roof; if left unfixed for ten days, their home will be condemned. Desperate to make enough money for the repairs, the two go out in search of a job. The problem is it’s hard to stay employed when you’re so, well, looney.

While seeking ways to make money, Porky and Daffy meet Petunia Pig (Candi Milo), a flavor scientist at the local gum factory in search of the perfect flavor. When she offers them a job, they jump at the chance, but they soon discover that something fishy is happening over at Goodie Gum, something that might not be of this planet.

When I was a child, my grandfather burned a bunch of old Looney Tunes cartoons onto a stack of DVDs for us kids. I don’t know where he got those cartoons, so I can’t speak to the legality of his gift, but it was highly appreciated and contributed strongly to my appreciation for slapstick comedy and extremely outdated pop culture references. Many of the more modern iterations of the franchise have lacked the creativity of its peak in the 1950s, though newer toons manage to have flashes of brilliance here and there. I will admit I had little hope for this film, expecting nothing more than a nostalgic cash grab, but I was pleasantly surprised by the obvious care and imagination that went into this production.

The most impressive aspect of this movie is the animation. Though I’m sure it’s not hand drawn like it used to be, it has the familiar 2D style with caricatured humans and flat backgrounds. There’s also a lot of creative visual design and the art is used both to inform the story and for visual gags. I was incredibly impressed by the artistry, which is not something you’d usually expect from a Daffy Duck outing.

Aside from the fun visuals, the story is simple but effective. The plot itself is straightforward, but the writers don’t miss any chances for hilarity, with a mix of modern and classic cartoon humor. The relationship between Porky and Daffy is also surprisingly profound, with both growing as individuals and as a duo. My son and I laughed out loud many times in the theater, and he spent the car ride home recounting his favorite bits.

Though a modern Looney Tunes story in many ways (the lack of racial stereotyping being a welcome change), the overall tone and slapstick style is familiar. Characters are squashed, electrocuted, break through walls, and swing mallets around with reckless abandon, without any lasting injury. You know it; you may or may not love it. With a lot of laughs and a fun, simple story, The Day the Earth Blew Up is sure to appeal to kids and nostalgic adults alike.