Who Framed Roger Rabbit? - A Movie Review

Hey, I have an idea! Let’s take a ride into Toon Town. There’s always something exciting going on there.

Released to theaters in 1988, Who Framed Roger Rabbit? is about a detective tracking down clues to determine who killed the owner of Toon Town. All the animated toons are in danger of having their home taken away unless someone gets to the bottom of it. Eddie Valiant is on the case with the bungling Roger Rabbit at his side.

One of my favorite movies that I will never get tired of is Who Framed Roger Rabbit? I love the short toons about a rabbit chasing after a rambunctious baby. The movie is terrific, supplying every animated character we have seen created on film. Not only is Who Framed Roger Rabbit? nostalgic energy, but it supports a lesson to those who are coping with loss.

Nobody like the late Bob Hoskins could have played Eddie Valiant as he did. As a hot-headed cop who despises toons, Eddie finds himself in a case that not only is the craziest adventure of his life, but he comes to terms with a major event that affected how he felt about the world. Hoskins’s performance included a unique approach. He had to use his imagination selling his performance because of his genuine reactions.

In contrast to his role as a wacky scientist in Back to the Future, Christopher Lloyd’s sinister performance as Judge Doom gave young audiences nightmares. Yes, I did have a nightmare from his signature scene. One of the best parts of movies is that you can watch them over to point out all the important moments that you missed. Lloyd was fantastic and this movie would not be what it is without his memorable performance.

Other credits to include are Joanna Cassidy, Stubby Kaye, Alan Tilvern, Richard LeParmentier, and a number of incredibly talented voice actors who lent their talents to all the cartoon characters we see onscreen. Charles Fliesure and Kathleen Turner were incredible in their performances of Roger Rabbit and Jessica Rabbit. And Lou Hirsch is stupendous as Baby Herman.

Animated characters from all across Disney and Warner Bros show up for a quick cameo. Even Mae Questel appears to lend her voice to Betty Boop after fifty years! The animators did a superb job adding characters to the scene. This is the only movie you’re ever going to see Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny interacting.

Not only Hoskins, but all the actors captured believable performances interacting with animated characters. I give a hand to everyone. In my experience as an actress on the stage, this is tough. It’s all about imagination.

One of the best parts of this film is subtly. Important information is said through action, dialogue, or deep emotional scenes. My favorite moment in the film is when we view all of Eddie’s pictures. We get a sense of who he was in his past, and how the certain event affected him. More movies should do this, instead of telling audiences exposition that shouldn’t be outright said.

Robert Zemeckis created a classic for us all to hold onto. The moral is very relatable. Grieving is a process, but we cannot let ourselves stop feeling. No matter what, there is a surprise around each corner in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? It is a fun movie to sit through wishing that you could interact with these animated characters.

If you have not seen Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, I recommend that you do so immediately. If you are ever feeling down, Roger Rabbit will immediately make you smile from his wacky sense of humor.