This zany, eye-popping, knee-slapping landmark in combining animation with live-action ingeniously makes that uneasy combination itself (and the history of Hollywood) its subject. Who Framed Roger Rabbit is based on classic L.A. private-eye movies (and, specifically, Chinatown), with detective Eddie Valiant (Bob Hoskins) investigating a case involving adultery, blackmail, murder, and a fiendish plot to replace Los Angeles's once-famous Red Car public transportation system with the automobiles and freeways that would later make it the nation's smog capital. Of course, his sleuthing takes him back to the place he dreads: Toontown, the ghetto for cartoons that abuts Hollywood and that was the site of a tragic incident in Eddie's past. In addition to intermingling cartoon characters with live actors and locations, Roger Rabbit also brings together the greatest array of cartoon stars in the history of motion pictures, from a variety of studios (Disney, Warner Bros., MGM, Fleischer, Universal, and elsewhere): Betty Boop, Bugs Bunny, Mickey Mouse, Woody Woodpecker, Droopy Dog, and more! And, of course, there's Maroon Cartoon's greatest star, Roger Rabbit (voice by Charles Fleischer), who suspects his ultracurvaceous wife, Jessica Rabbit (voice by Kathleen Turner: "I'm not bad; I'm just drawn that way"), of infidelity. Directed by Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future, Forrest Gump, Contact), not since the early Looney Tunes' "You Oughtta Be in Pictures" has there been anything like Roger Rabbit.
Product Details:
Actors:
Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Joanna Cassidy, Charles Fleischer, Stubby Kaye
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A real classic...so where's the blu-ray?Feb 09, 2010 4.7 stars
Roger Rabbit was one of the great eye candy surprises of my life when I saw it in the theatre in '88; it truly deserves to be seen on a big screen. Soooo, it really needs a great blu-ray transfer. Hello, Bob Zemeckis and studio...
One thing many fans of this film miss is that it is in fact a very cleverly-disguised conspiracy film; if you know anything about the history of L.A. and its streetcars, etc, you know what I mean. Won't say more for those who haven't seen it yet.
But no one misses how perfectly constructed the script and plot are, and how fine Hoskins and Lloyd are in bringing it all to life. Hoskins's work is even more impressive when you watch the extra that shows him acting to the blank bluescreen; the guy hits his marks like a true pro, and his believable conversations with the toons are some amazing acting in every way. The man has imagination!
As did the makers of this gem. It's all about Bugs Bunny and friends, of course, and they could never make this now; they got rights to use almost every old toon, and they never would these days, so rejoice that corporate greed was only halfway home in the late 80s (and we thought then it could never get worse, hoho!). Seeing all these characters together only brings home what fabulous art the classic toon makers created. This is made for adults, but kids can watch it with much joy as well. It's both very funny and very clean, no mean feat.
The mixed live action/toons are done to near-perfection, and the way the toons slide around the screen adds to the feeling. The first time you see this is a real trip; be prepared and watch it on a big screen if you can.
There are some extras here, and they're not bad, but what really matters is we get to see the letterboxed original version, which really matters in a film shot with this much love and care.
A true work of art in most every way, the Wabbit deserves a perfect blu-ray transfer, with tons of new extras!!
roger rabbit was cool!!!Jan 29, 2010 i remember watching this movie when i was younger. i remember that roger had this beautiful, voloptous wife named jessica rabbit (think of a prototype of kim kardashian). yes, he was one lucky guy but i guess he wasn't like other guys who would just lust after her. this movie was funny. i like how all the characters from warner bros, mgm, and disney came together in the end.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (Vista Series)Jan 24, 2010 Detective Eddie Valliant has hated toons since his brother was killed by one, but now he has to help a toon that was framed for the murder of Marvin Acme, owner of Acme Corporations and Toontown, for playing patty-cake with the toon's wife. On the way, they have to avoid a suspicious character who wants to destroy all toons using a chemical that disintegrates everything. Stop and think about this movie for a minute, and you realize that we are unbelievably fortunate that it even exists. It's a great movie. I highly recommend this for the family and friends or just a Saturday with nothing to do.
Great movie but not for kidsNov 02, 2009 This is not a movie for small kids! The sexual references are bound and swearing is all over.
But, I love it and if you kids are big enough it is ok. Jessica is a caricature of the "ideal woman" at least the producers thought. In any case make sure your kids know that she is not real and cannot be. I do not like the pout and I would hate to think on how hard it would be to walk like that all day!
It had break through special effects and great acting to nothing, especially Bob Hoskins. His acting made the movie. Not easy to look at nothing an make people believe you are looking at a rabbit talking to you, but Bob Hoskins did it.
Just have fun.
BrilliantOct 15, 2009 Modern technology may dwarf this film to a certain degree; however this pre-digital era film still stands against those of today. Especially when you consider the amount of work that went into it. The bonus features is worth the purchase alone, however Roger Rabbit is a classic in my opinion with strong characters, acting and plot. I did see it in the theatre and at a young age so my opinion is bias perhaps. I'm looking forward to seeing my niece's reaction and one day my own children's.
based on 198 reviews
