Parents' Guide to Looney Tunes: Back in Action

Movie PG 2003 90 minutes
Looney Tunes: Back in Action Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

By Nell Minow , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 7+

Live action/animated tale will amuse cartoon fans.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 7+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

age 10+

Based on 10 parent reviews

age 7+

Based on 19 kid reviews

Kids say the film successfully blends humor, action, and beloved characters from the original cartoons, making it an entertaining experience that appeals to both children and adults. While some viewers noted mild sexual content and inconsistencies in the plot, many consider it a standout entry among animated films and praise its engaging mix of live-action and animation.

  • fun animation
  • great humor
  • entertaining for all
  • minor issues mentioned
  • plot inconsistencies
Summarized with AI

What's the Story?

This live action/animated feature begins when Daffy Duck – jealous of Bugs Bunny's high-profile career -- is let go by the studio after he demands more money and attention. But Daffy soon gets caught up in a plot involving the kidnapping of secret agent Damien Drake (played by Timothy Dalton) by the evil chairman of the Acme Corporation (Steve Martin). With help from the Drake's son (Brendan Fraser), Daffy embarks on a mission to rescue the kidnapped spy. Meanwhile, Bugs and a Warner Brothers executive (Jenna Elfman) decide that Daffy is an integral part of the Looney Tunes gang.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 10 ):
Kids say ( 19 ):

The subversive spirit of the Looney Tunes is in good hands in LOONEY TUNES: BACK IN ACTION. Director Joe Dante is clearly a fan and he keeps the jokes coming. There are movie parodies (Psycho, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Invasion of the Body Snatchers), throwaway gags, and lots of all-out mayhem, especially a wildly surreal romp through the paintings at the Louvre. And though Wile E. Coyote is now ordering online from Acme.com, the goodies are just as outrageous and subject to Murphy's Law as ever.

Live-action performers Brendan Fraser, Timothy Dalton, Steve Martin, and Joan Cusack, all have fun, but they can't steal the movie from Bugs, Daffy, Foghorn Leghorn, Tweetie Pie, Marvin Martian, the Tasmanian Devil, Pepe LePew, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, and of course Mr. Coyote.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the original cartoons and which characters they like the best. How are the Looney Tunes different from other animated characters, such as those in the Disney movies?

Movie Details

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Looney Tunes: Back in Action Poster Image

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