Wile E. Coyote comedy is a fresh take on iconic characters

After decades of being flattened by anvils, blasted by rockets and sent tumbling off cliffs, Wile E. Coyote is finally fighting back. This time, the desert-dwelling cartoon character isn’t chasing the Road Runner. He’s taking Acme to court.

Film critic Patty Spitler takes a look at “Coyote vs. Acme,” a comedy that puts the determined Looney Tunes character in a courtroom after years of Acme products backfiring with painful consequences. Wile E. Coyote, first introduced in Chuck Jones’ 1948 cartoons, has spent decades pursuing the Road Runner with one Acme gadget after another. Now, he’s had enough and decides to hold the company accountable.

What follows is a courtroom comedy that blends live action and animation, turning Wile E.’s long history of cartoon calamities into evidence against Acme. Exploding anvils, malfunctioning rockets and ill-fated contraptions all become part of the case.

Longtime fans who grew up watching Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner will recognize the familiar visual gags and cartoon chaos, while younger audiences get a fresh take on the iconic characters.

“Lots of interesting slapstick and clever twists that incorporate some nostalgia. You get the history along with timely references,” Spitler says. She calls it a nostalgic trip that gives the classic cartoon character a modern story.

The film stars Will Forte, John Cena and Lana Condor. Dave Green directs, with a screenplay by Samy Burch, James Gunn and Jeremy Slater.

At 1 hour, 43 minutes, “Coyote vs. Acme” is rated PG.

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