Who Framed Roger Rabbit?

  • Review Date: July 7, 2003
  • PG
  • Genre: Comedy
  • 1988
 Review

Common Sense Media says

Deceptively mature movie mixes fun with guns, innuendo.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

Kids say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the nuances of the storyline and much of the film's innuendo-laden humor will go right over children's heads. Several scenes feature cartoon violence including one where characters are thrown into "the dip" (an acid-like concoction that will "erase" toons). A live-action character is shot on screen (no blood), and someone is run over by a steamroller. Also, adult language used by the live-action characters includes "son of a bitch" and "bastard." Silly double entendres proliferate ("I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way.") and Jessica Rabbit is highly sexualized.

  • A primary theme is that things are not always as they appear and people are not always who they seem to be. The mix of sexuality and animation in Jessica Rabbit's character might be confusing to some kids.
  • Private detective Eddie Valiant (also an alcoholic) hates all toons since one killed his beloved brother. But once he lets go of his prejudices, Eddie ends up being the only human in Toontown to help the segregated toons claim their rightful territory. Roger the Rabbit is a playful, lovable character who maintains a sweet, youthful innocence and finds humor in the worst of times. Jessica Rabbit's primary characteristic is her sexuality.
  • Several scenes feature cartoon violence that borders on the sadistic and the surreal. Characters are thrown into "the dip" (an acid-like concoction that will "erase" toons), a live-action character is shot on screen, and Judge Doom is run over by a steam engine. 
  • Silly double entendres proliferate, including character Baby Herman's reference to his inability to pursue his adult nurse being the result of having "50-year-old lust and a 3-year-old dinky." Jessica Rabbit has a voluptuous figure and wears very revealing clothes.  Everything she does exudes sexiness, even when playing "patty-cake" with a director. 
  • Adult language used by the live-action characters includes "son of a bitch" and "bastard." Derogatory remarks are made against the toons. 
  • Classic Chevrolets line the streets, Acme labels are lurking around every corner, along with Wild Turkey whiskey, the main character's favorite drink. 
  • The main character is an alcoholic and drinks heavily throughout the day. Smoking is also prevalent. 

What's the story?

In WHO FRAMED ROGER RABBIT, animated characters (Toons) and humans co-exist in a fictional 1940s Los Angeles. When one of the Toons -- Roger Rabbit (voiced by Charles Fleischer) -- is framed for murder, he turns to human detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) for help. What ensues is a colorful, action-packed ride through a world that's like film noir crossed with vintage Looney Tunes.


Is it any good?

 

The movie that popularized the term "toon," Who Framed Roger Rabbit won four Oscars for its imaginative visual effects. Thought to contain the ultimate in technical innovation at the time of its release, the film's landmark mixture of live action and animation is not as impressive today in light of the more sophisticated and complex computer-generated animation featured in features like Shrek and Finding Nemo. As with any detective story, the film focuses on a myriad of details and double crosses; as with any decent farce, the plot is nothing but a pretext for a number of comic situations. Zemeckis and company unfortunately dote on the plot's machinations, slowing the movie's pace down to a crawl at a few points.

What can be re-seen numerous times are the truly magical sequences when Valiant visits toon territories. At these points, viewers are treated to the (unfortunately brief) interaction of cartoon immortals from the Disney/Warner Brothers, and Fleischer stables. Though the film's sensibility is a resolutely adult one (with plenty of potentially frightening moments for smaller viewers), parents won't be blamed for wanting to show their child the only screen union of Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse, or a raucous piano duet between Donald Duck and his WB counterpart, Daffy. These moments are so enchanting that one almost dreads the inevitable return to the central story line.


Explore, discuss, enjoy

  • Families can talk about the mix of live action and animation, which this movie pioneered. Did you like seeing the mix of animated and live-action characters? What do you know about how the film was created? As successful as this film was, why are there not more similar films?

  • Did the violence in the movie ever feel scary? Does violence with animated characters seem less dramatic? If so, why is that?

  • What was your reaction to Jessica Rabbit's character? Is she playing a stereotype? What is the effect of sexualized female characters in the media?


This review of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was written by
Adult
April 9, 2008
 
who framed r.r.
A mesh of live/action and cartoons, about a private dectective, trying to protect roger rabbit, who is framed for murder, and an evil judge, who wants to destroy toon town.

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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
 

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Adult
September 4, 2010
 
Definitely not for kids - at all!
I rented this recently to watch with my 8 year old, and I hadn't seen it in years and years. Wow, I forgot alot about this movie! I had to shut it off. The bad language, loads of drinking and smoking, the live action actor getting shot in the back and the the womanizing baby. I had to shut it off. I felt like a horrible mom! I really just remembered that a lot of famous cartoon characters were in it. Big mistake not coming here first to remind myself of what was actually in the movie!
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Teen, 13 years old
October 15, 2010
 
10 and up, prepare for laughs, and lots of it!!
This movie was TOTALLY funny! I think that Judge Doom at the end will scare little kids (Spoiler: He's the toon who did the murder. He has creepy eyes and is a "disturbing toon.") But over all, the message is just because something bad happened to someone you love, doesn't mean you should stop doing what you love. (Eddie's brother gets killed by a toon.) Jessica Rabbit is a strong, female character.
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Adult
February 5, 2011
 
Extremely Entertaining.
Warner Brothers was at it again, and "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", was an enjoyable, funny, and entertaining movie, though its biggest flaw is rate, as many have said, and this fault from the producers only resulted in repeated contraversie. Produced and premiered four years after the PG-13 rating was introduced, this film was simply poorly judged, and is inevitably not something good to show to your kids, despite its plotline, and live-action, mingled with cartoons visuals. A whole series of adult events happen within the first twenty minutes, that kids shouldn't be aware of in their first twelve years. Example are unneeded; other reviews and arguments speak for themselves. It must also be known, that, because cartoons are looked up to, the interactions, and dialog may crush all but a child's optomism toward the toons. I'm sure is would be absolutely dissheartening for tots to see the respected Roger Rabbit drunk, Baby Hermin curse four times in ten minutes, and smoke a cigar, Jessica Rabbit get closed on her...features, if you will, and God's name being used in vain repeadedly. Even the story progressin, for the concept, is genuinely complex, it's unlikely for children to be able to understand after a period of ten minutes. However, there's a huge cast of geat, familiar characters that we would all be happy to see, everywhere from Disney, to MGM, with everyone from Betty Boop, to Woody Woodpecker, and they all enteract with each other perfectly. I promise this will be the only oppertunity where you'll get to see Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse in the same scene. You also have the pleasure of seeing a toon get cruelly killed, a man get shot twice in the back, and drunken rages as the film progresses. Such aspects might actually change the view of younger fans'; likeness to their animated idols. Does anyone want see Jessica Rabbit have an orgasm by playing patty-cake? All children under the age of ten will have no idea of what that meant, in the movie. From a different point of view, the movie is anything but unenjoyable for adults and mature teens, and honestly for younger pre-teens, if their parents actually give permission. It's genuinely comedic, which,let's be honest with ourselves, was hard to find in today's era, the characters are extremely dynamic, and the hefty plot is there to support them. An old-fashioned murder case, the detective mysery tale is surprisingly entertaining. Adults should not judge before they see. Unfortunately, the animation crossovers with the l live-action was done with computers, and those among us who are interested in animation don't want to have to say that CGI ruins everything, but...it does. It's always badly done, bulky, missfitted, and shaken, with cartoon against live-action. We would think Roger Rabbit, and the other toons would look out of place, against reality; just like Garfeild, Scooby Doo, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, all looked out of place in their movies. This was literarly the first one I've seen that involves computer animation, that was done RIGHT. Humans and cartoons interact tons of times throughout the film, with contact both physically and visually, and everytime, the actors were amazing; the cartoons look well in their environment, and well-pasted. There was no doubt that Roger Rabbit and the rest were in complete charismatic interaction with the actors, which can only expand our imaginations. Best of all, everybody remains in character, and out of character, and it was great, all the same. Even the minor characteristics of the plot were great; how ToonTown does exist; it rests against reality, and toons and humans are strictly only to remain in their territory for political reasons, and our main character, Ernie, or Eddie, or something, quit working with them for some reason I can't quite remember, but is forced to be Roger's attorney, after he is somehow framed after the apparent murder of Mr. Acme. So, people must wonder why adults, given all the previous, would bother glancing seriously at this film. Not. For. Kids. Humorous, complex, fluent, well-done, and well-animted, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" is an awesome, and entertaining movie for mature audiences, and its charm shows on every corner. Nothing is funnier than seeing Daffy and Donald Duck duke it out in a piano war.
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Kid, 9 years old
April 9, 2008
 
best movie ever!!!!

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Teen, 14 years old
September 25, 2011
 
While fun and cartoony, this movie still has it's flaws
Who framed Roger Rabbit is a great movie featuring a mix of familiar faces from Bugs Bunny to Pinnochio. That's not to say theres not a lot of adult content packed into it as well that parent's won't be ammused by. Many of the human charecters potrayed by actors curse repeatedly and drink alchohol whenever theres a problem- including two scenes where Roger drinks. Smoking is also an issue, especially a baby who smokes a cigar and mentions inappropriate comments that will fly over kids heads. And most of the films sexual content revolves around a toon named Jessica. As far as violence goes, it's really not too bad. Most of the fight scenes are cartoonish and funny. But don't judge this movie by those things because by the time the credits roll, you won't regret seeing it!
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Teen, 17 years old
September 19, 2011
 
Surreal, animated fun...
The idea of blending animation with live-action is pretty cool. I enjoyed this movie. It had that film noir-like feel. Although, it was pretty risque (a lot of movies in the '80s were). First, there was Jessica Rabbit, the wife of Roger Rabbit. She wears a very revealing outfit (a bit too revealing for a children's movie, in fact). Then there was the violence. There's plenty of gun shots, but the characters never really die (with the exception of one scene). Some of the characters are even seen smoking cigars and drinking. The weasels are rude and have no respect. The main villain can be scary to younger viewers. Eddie is very bitter, since a toon killed his brother in the past. However, he lightens up at the end of the movie and all of the characters live happily ever after. There was also funny cameos. For example, the part where Donald Duck and Daffy Duck are having a piano competition or the part where Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny are falling. This marks the first time in cinematic history where these characters are seen together onscreen. It was very interesting and worth the watch! I'm glad I caught it on TV.
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Kid, 11 years old
August 28, 2011
 
Great Movie
I think this movie is good for the tween-teen crowd. It has quite a lot of content, but I absolutely adore it. Great view for a teens sleepover.
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Teen, 13 years old
June 9, 2011
 
Well-Meant in Motive
I think this movie is great! Many think that characters like Jessica are not good for kids, but if you think deeply, she saves a 'dorky' little cartoon rabbit that she loves. The visual may not be the best but overall motive is wellmeant. There is alchohol, and cigars, but I didn't even notice. The first time I noticed was when Eddie Valiant pops open a bottle of achohol toward the end, right after getting out the talking bullets, where he looks at it and dumps it instead.
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This review of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was written by
Topics:magic and fantasy, adventures
Studio:Touchstone Pictures
Director:Robert Zemeckis
Cast:Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Kathleen Turner
Genre:Comedy
Run time:103 minutes
Theatrical release date:June 21, 1988
DVD release date:March 25, 2002
MPAA rating:PG
MPAA explanation:mild profanity and cartoon violence

This review of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? was written by
 

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