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The Best of Roger Rabbit (NR, 1996)

common sense media says

Old fashioned cartoon mayhem.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this cartoon compilation is intended as a tribute to the classic color cartoons of yesteryear. The shorts are suitably manic and comedically inventive. School-age kids will understand more of the puns in the dialogue and will better grasp the difference between the "fantasy" (cartoon) and "real" (live-action) parts of the films, but we recommend you use parental discretion anyway since there is quite a lot of cartoon mayhem, dangerous situations and sexual innuendo. You may want to keep this away from 5- to 7-year-olds. Cartoon Network junkies will enjoy the film's evocation of "Looney Tunes" and Tex Avery's work. Older viewers will appreciate the "homage" aspects of the films, as well as the silly double entendres in the dialogue.

Positive messages: The "off-camera" Baby Herman is an insulting, lecherous, gravel-voiced tough guy -- clad in a diaper.
Violence: Copious cartoon violence of the "Tom and Jerry" and Bugs and Elmer variety. Each short finds Baby Herman placed in a dire situation (including darts, bullets, and even a radioactive tank) from which Roger rescues him. Emotional Intensity: Most children will understand that Baby Herman is never in true danger, but smaller viewers may be affected by the sight of Roger's dilemmas, which include being set on fire.
Sex: Jessica Rabbit's appearances emphasize her leggy, busty physique and sex appeal.
Language: A profusion of double entendres includes a smirking "weenie" joke and a character asking a female if she's "afraid of a little bang."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on The Best of Roger Rabbit

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the difference between getting hurt in a cartoon and getting hurt in real life. Why did Roger Rabbit save Baby Herman every time?

What's the story?

What's the story?
These three cartoon shorts feature the Baby Herman and Roger Rabbit characters from Who Framed Roger Rabbit. All have the same premise: The mother of Baby Herman leaves him in the care of Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer). Herman wanders into various dangerous situations and Roger rescues him in the nick of time -- only to wind up on the receiving end of whatever Herman had just escaped. The only difference between the cartoons are the settings: a hospital, an amusement park, and camp grounds. Also included is a musical short featuring Lion King characters Timon and Pumbaa, who warble the pop standard "Stand By Me."

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
After the success of the more adult-oriented Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Disney and Steven Spielberg's Amblin' Entertainment jointly produced the three titles on this tape. Clearly intended as both a love letter to, and a rip-off of, various cartoon classics (including the Looney Tunes series, and Tex Avery's Droopy Dog shorts), THE BEST OF ROGER RABBIT conveys an infectious sense of fun. Adults will appreciate the craftsmanship that went into them, while kids will respond to their incredibly fast pace and the sight of Roger in a variety of imaginatively dangerous situations.

Unfortunately, watching the cartoons back-to-back only points up the fact that the filmmakers just remade the same plot three times. (Looney Tunes did thrive on familiarity, but they were never this familiar!) All in all, the films are an amiable and entertaining attempt to recreate the brilliance of cartoons past. Although it should be noted that crafty Bugs Bunny would never have gotten himself into situations like these.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Barry Cook, Rob Minkoff
Cast: April Winchell, Charles Fleischer, Kathleen Turner
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 30 minutes
Theatrical release: April 21, 1996
DVD release: February 21, 1996
MPAA Rating: NR
MPAA explanation: not rated
This review was written by Ed Grant
 
 

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Sanjay407
kid, 13 years old
2
 
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (6)
homealonefan123
teen, 15 years old
5
 
these 3 cartoon shorts are more kid friendly than "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
this "Roger Rabbit" movie is really the 3 theatrical cartoon shorts. these cartoon shorts are way more family friendly than "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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