Joe Dante, channeling the spirit of his classic “Gremlins” but with a modern twist, delivers a film that’s part animation, part live-action, and all heart. It’s a cinematic treat crafted with the experience of a seasoned filmmaker and the affection of a doting grandfather. This movie is tailor-made for the young at heart, featuring two mischievous youngsters, Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, who team up with the charming DJ Drake (Brendan Fraser), bringing along the delightful Kate Houghton (Jenna Elfman).
Their adventure takes them on a whirlwind journey from Los Angeles to Las Vegas, where they perform in casinos, engage in slapstick fights, and chase each other to the skies. They even jet off to Paris, explore the Louvre, leap from the Eiffel Tower, and venture into Africa for an elephant ride, ultimately discovering an ancient temple filled with secrets and puzzles that will captivate any kid. Even as an adult, I find myself completely enthralled by it all.
The Quest for the Blue Monkey
The plot revolves around the search for DJ’s father (Timothy Dalton), who has been kidnapped because of a mysterious Blue Monkey hidden within the temple, its forehead adorned with a diamond. Turn the diamond, and everyone becomes a monkey. Turn it again, and they revert to humans. Of course, the diamond must be kept out of the hands of a global villain.
This villain plans to launch the diamond into space, turning all of humanity into monkeys during the day to produce his ridiculous products, only to revert them back at night so they can buy them. The story escalates to include a satellite, a mad scientist’s lab, explosions, and magic. In short, the kids will be entertained for an hour and a half with adventures, transformations, and nostalgic references, as they’re likely familiar with Scooby-Doo or have seen “The Mummy,” which Brendan Fraser playfully references.
A Treat for Adults Too
Parents might initially find the film’s over-the-top blend of Indiana Jones and James Bond a bit much. However, Joe Dante has something for them too: his extensive knowledge of cinema, honed under the tutelage of Roger Corman, combined with a sharp sense of humor. Parents can enjoy spotting the references and influences, all while appreciating the film’s madcap adventures, which are cleverly rooted in Hollywood’s own history.
Warner Bros. gets a nod with twin brothers running the show. When Kate searches for Bugs in a house, she finds him in a bathtub, screaming in surprise as the shower curtain is pulled back, the shower sprays, and his paws slide down the wall, the water spiraling down the drain. Hitchcock would approve. On the way to Vegas in a super-Aston-Martin, Bugs presses a button, and a martini glass emerges from the dashboard, “shaken, not stirred,” with a carrot instead of an olive. The self-deprecating humor of Timothy Dalton, playing DJ’s father, a spy movie star and actual spy, is undeniable. However, the humor loses its edge when it needs explaining.
Dante’s Mastery
Joe Dante avoids over-explanation, allowing him to sidestep the cruder aspects of “American humor.” If the father is a spy, then Mom (Joan Cusack) has become a god. Her laboratory is where the film reaches its technical peak. Even earlier scenes, like Brendan Fraser fighting a duck or animated pirates, are captivating. But in the lab, Dante pays homage to all of Hollywood’s aliens: Triffids, robots, goblins, body snatchers, the inhabitants of “Star Wars,” and even an impressive brain with a tail-spine. It’s alive and scurrying around. This isn’t just a parody of bad movies; it’s a celebration of the good ones. While the entire film might be a self-deprecating take on Warner Bros., its best moments are those that transcend cinema, proving that there’s a true director at the helm.
Beyond the System
You can’t understand the system using the system itself. But when Bugs and Daffy end up in the Louvre, their escape from a pig takes place within the paintings themselves. They fly into Dali’s “The Persistence of Memory,” then into Munch, Toulouse-Lautrec, and it’s all hilarious.
But in Dali, they start to melt – running and stretching, the pig, the duck, and the carrot. Even the art critic sitting behind me burst out laughing.