Looney Tunes: Back in Action

MPAA Rating: PG

Entertainment: +2

Content: +1/2

In a world that includes both cartoons and humans, Looney Tunes characters Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck (both voices of Joe Alaskey) steal the scenes from humans D.J. Drake and Kate Houghton (Brendan Fraser and Jenna Elfman). Kate is the vice president of comedy at Warner Brothers studios, and D.J. is a security guard. His father, Damien Drake (Timothy Dalton), is the studios famous star of spy movies. When Daffy and Damien are both kidnapped by the evil Mr. Chairman (Steve Martin) of Acme Corporation, Bugs joins D.J. and Kate in the search-and-rescue mission. Their mission takes them from Las Vegas to Paris to Africa to Asia and back in a spy car that zooms through space. Making fun of sci-fi action movies, high tech gimmicks and greedy corporate executives, Looney Tunes aims its funniest lines at grown-ups. Ninety minutes of disjointed silliness drags on much too long, especially for the 10-and-under viewers.

Nearly every scene includes slapstick with mean-spirited violence and fierce fighting, including hits to the groin, falls from great heights, explosives tied to men and dangerous car chases. Unfortunately, the kids respond to the violence with laughter. Scenes in a Las Vegas nightclub feature scantily clothed showgirls and a beautiful female assassin (Heather Locklear) in a very revealing outfit. Steve Martins portrayal of an evil CEO is more appropriate for Saturday Night Live than a movie marketed for young children. He wants to replace his 4-year-old workers with 3-year-olds because they will work for less money. He has acquired the blue monkey diamond that has the supernatural power to turn humans into monkey slaves so he can rule the world. Sadly, childrens entertainment is becoming increasingly saturated with adult themes and gratuitous violence. Just because there is no sex or foul language, dont think Looney Tunes is a fun film for young children.

Note: Although this movie gets a positive acceptability rating, Preview issues a strong warning to parents of children 10 and under due to the constant violence.

Preview Reviewer: Mary Draughon
Distributor: Warner Brothers

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Few times moderate (butt 4)

Obscene Language: None

Profanity: None

Violence: Continuous slapstick, gratuitous (nonstop explosions, fall from helicopter and rooftop, painful kicks to groin, fighting, car crashes, man tied to bed of dynamite sticks)

Sex: None

Nudity: None, but scantily clad showgirls

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: None

Drugs: Few mild (rabbit drinks martini with carrot)

Other: Stone has supernatural power to turn people into monkeys

Running Time: 90 minutes
Intended Audience: All ages with strong appeal to 10 and under

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