DIRECTOR
Dave Green
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows, Earth to Echo

STARS
Will Forte, Lana Condor and John Cena

New for some, nostalgic for others, whichever of those experiences is yours, one factor Coyote vs. ACME has in store for all is its genius synopsis based on a 1990 The New Yorker magazine article.

We can be grateful this vibrant live-action family film where cartoon characters co-exist amongst humans has finally made it to the big screen, or any screen for that matter, after the original film distributor cancelled its release in 2023 for financial reasons. This was despite the film being completed, that distributor having already invested roughly $70 million into its production and the movie receiving positive test-screening reactions. Ketchup Entertainment thankfully acquired the rights in March 2025, saved this film from virtual non-existence and the rest is history.

Many of us millennials will fondly reminisce the Looney Tunes cartoons and various characters from our childhood and recall some of their more memorable scenarios, such as Wile E. Coyote’s repeated yet failed attempts at capturing the Road Runner. Irrespective of whether you were team Coyote or team Road Runner, one cannot deny the misfortune to consistently befall Coyote where each and every object used to help him catch the Road Runner would inevitably backfire on him. So, Wile E. Coyote finally decides to do something about it and sue the manufacturer, ACME corporation, for their production and provision of these defective devices! To do so, he enlists the services of Kevin Avery (Will Forte), a discouraged and down-and-out Personal Injury Attorney who must mount a legal battle opposed to ACME’s chief legal counsel and the best lawyer in the country, Buddy Crane (John Cena).

It’s fair to say the trio of writers behind Coyote vs. ACME have been gifted a golden ticket to develop this original idea from the article into something truly unique and special for all ages. There’s no doubt they further contribute to the great ideas with a small handful or so of their own and there are both moments and core parts of the plot that elevate this experience, but on the whole the writing, story and character development lacks sharpness and chooses to be as careless and clumsy as the regular slapstick on screen.

Forgive me if I sound like I have taken Coyote vs. ACME too seriously. I promise I came here for a fun time and there is plenty of it to be had, but frustration co-exists with fun when pivotal plot developments (pertaining to the trial) are not given plausible treatment and by characterisation & chemistry of human characters that are completely outdone by their cartoon counterparts. The only real exception to the latter comment made is John Cena and his supporting character. Though my criticisms of Coyote vs. ACME are enough to justify my rating below, I’ll leave them there because this is a film that wholeheartedly deserves kindness, still has lots to like about it and I simply wish to end this review on a positive note.

As referenced earlier and illustrated by the above image, the writing team and the animation department deserve full credit for not just adding other Looney Tunes characters to the film, they are thoughtfully and cleverly curated and cast in specific supporting roles that bring them and this picture to life. Foghorn Leghorn as ACME’s CEO, I say ACME’s CEO, is a terrific example of this. Youngsters are bound to thoroughly enjoy their presence and the plethora of slapstick humour they bring, and the film is fast paced enough to maintain their attention throughout. Furthermore, fleeting moments, such as when Wile E. Coyote thinks back to past failed attempts at capturing the Road Runner without a single word spoken, are among the film’s best.

Coyote vs. ACME is undoubtedly an ideal pick for families these school holidays.

Coyote vs. ACME is showing in cinemas across Australia from September 17th, 2026.

Moviedoc thanks Pinnacle Films and Annette Smith: Ned & Co for providing a screener link to watch and review this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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