The long-awaited Looney Toons feature “Coyote vs. Acme” released in theatres nationwide on Aug. 28, after being filmed for HBO Max in 2022 then later shelved by its distributor, Warner Bros. Pictures, as a tax write-off in November 2023.
Online backlash led to the film being picked up by indie distributor Ketchup Entertainment and eventually released as a feature film. The film earned $15.5 million dollars in its opening weekend, making it the best opening weekend in its distributor’s history. The film has now earned $33 million dollars in the U.S. and is awaiting a full international release.
An important facet of the film’s production is that it was entirely shot in New Mexico, with the majority of filming done in Albuquerque, along with parts of the film also being set in the Duke City. I had a lot of fun spotting the different locations like the BioPark Botanical Gardens and the University of New Mexico Film and Digital Arts’ Mesa Del Sol campus. Even scenes set in Washington, D.C. were filmed near Copper Ave. in Downtown Albuquerque.
There are plenty more locations and references that only locals can spot, making the viewing experience more special as a New Mexican. As cool as Albuquerque is, the movie is pretty cool too.
“Coyote vs. Acme” is about Looney Tunes character Wile E. Coyote’s lawsuit against the fictional Acme Corporation for selling him an untold number of faulty products in his decades-long pursuit of the Road Runner. Coyote recruits struggling lawyer Kevin Avery (Will Forte) to go up against the corporate giant. The film also stars John Cena as an intimidating lawyer representing Acme, and Lana Condor as Avery’s niece and an intern at his law firm.
Starting out, Avery and Coyote don’t like each other at all after Coyote goes behind Avery’s back to file the lawsuit against Acme. However, as the film goes on, both characters start to become friends. I thought that this was the most heartwarming part of the movie, as it was great at giving Wile E. Coyote, a silent and typically one-dimensional character, a three-dimensional personality.
The movie was also great at building up Kevin Avery, an uninspired lawyer who is done trying to win.
However, as he becomes closer to Coyote, he starts to want to win again. Both characters do a great job at developing one another throughout the whole movie.
Even though Coyote is the main star, he is not the only Looney Tunes character in the movie. Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and even Foghorn Leghorn — many brought to life by voice actor Eric Bauza — all make appearances.
This is a Looney Tunes movie through and through, and if that’s enough to convince you to buy a ticket, then you’ll have a blast seeing “Coyote vs. Acme.”
Max Ulz is a freelance reporter for the Daily Lobo. He can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on X @Dailylobo
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