Why ‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’ is a Timeless Classic You Can’t Miss!

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#3 in my ranking of Robert Zemeckis films.

This film is an absolute delight, showcasing technical mastery while paying homage to a bygone era in Tinseltown. It successfully revives a genre that had been underappreciated and manages to be both entertaining for a wide audience and potentially lucrative at the box office. Robert Zemeckis skillfully employs his years of experience and understanding of cinema, injecting it with vitality and intelligence without compromising its fun factor. Despite being a blend of human characters and animation, the film transcends the expectations of light-hearted entertainment, offering a truly unique cinematic experience.

In a world where cartoons coexist with humans, it’s post-war Los Angeles. Private investigator Eddie Valiant is summoned to R.K. Maroon’s office in Hollywood for an assignment. The issue at hand involves their star, Roger Rabbit, whose performance has been lackluster, and the suspected culprit could be his wife, Jessica, who may be unfaithful. Eddie is tasked with gathering evidence to support this claim. Detailed elements from the film’s opening scene—such as Eddie’s brother’s history in clowning and circus performances, hinted at through a single tracking shot that echoes director Robert Zemeckis’ own “Back to the Future” and Alfred Hitchcock’s “Rear Window,” complete with a subtle time leap—are later revealed to be significant, particularly in the film’s climax. As Eddie accepts the job, finds a camera, and ventures into an exclusive nightclub, these details unfold, offering insight into both the world’s and Eddie’s character development.

In this film, Eddie stumbles upon Jessica, who appears to be in a questionable situation with Mr. Acme, the proprietor of a humor shop adjacent to Toon Town. Meanwhile, Roger disappears. Subsequently, Acme meets an untimely end, and the enigma starts to unravel. One of the film’s strengths lies in its ability to echo classic noir mysteries, particularly Chinatown. The plot revolves around a scheme to demolish Toon Town and construct a freeway instead. Clues are subtly integrated into the storyline, drawing from real-life circumstances, making it a self-contained noir mystery. If Toon Town were replaced with the slums of Los Angeles or a predominantly black neighborhood, the narrative could effortlessly transition to a more realistic setting without cartoon characters.

In this animated film, the characters are remarkably believable, seamlessly blending with the human actors in the storyline. They are characterized by distinct traits – Roger is eccentric yet thoughtless, while Jessica is sexy and devoted to her husband. However, they take a backseat to Bob Hoskins’ character, Eddie Valiant. After his brother was killed by a cartoon during an investigation, he harbors resentment against them and refuses to work with them. Over the course of the movie, Eddie undergoes change, retaining his hard-boiled detective persona while developing empathy for these animated characters. In contrast, Christopher Lloyd’s Judge Doom is a formidable antagonist, full of malice, who transforms into an unusual villain by the end.

The achievement of the realistic portrayal of cartoon characters can largely be attributed to just two individuals. Firstly, Zemeckis, who masterfully combined all the technical advancements in front of the camera to set things in motion. Secondly, Richard Williams, a British animator primarily known for his work in commercials. However, it was his unfinished project, “The Thief and the Cobbler,” that earned him the opportunity to work on Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Let’s briefly discuss “The Thief and the Cobbler.” This animated film stands out due to one of the longest production timelines in cinematic history. Richard Williams worked tirelessly for many decades to bring it to life, eventually securing $25 million funding in the early 90s following his contribution to “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?” However, he was unable to complete it and the bond company eventually stepped in to finish the project under the title “Arabian Knights.” A dedicated fan later compiled the Re-Cobbled edition, albeit incomplete. Despite its unfinished state, it showcases a master artist’s passion for his craft. The visuals are so stunning that they often overshadow the film’s straightforward narrative. Unfortunately, Williams never truly recovered from the failure to complete his magnum opus.

As a movie reviewer, I must say that Robert Zemeckis’s groundbreaking work on “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” was nothing short of spectacular. His team, including the talented Richard Williams, showcased an extraordinary ability to innovate and adapt to a novel approach in animation. Unlike many directors who prefer a stationary camera, Zemeckis had a penchant for panning around in a scene, and he didn’t let the complexity of animating while moving the camera deter him.

Utilizing motion-controlled cameras, Zemeckis captured every shot he desired, and Richard Williams cleverly ensured that the animated characters appeared stationary despite the moving camera. Moreover, the characters in the film interacted with their surroundings through intricate animatronics, which were skillfully integrated to create a fluid, seamless effect. The final product was nothing short of magical, blurring the lines between live-action and animation in a way that had never been done before.

Experiencing “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” offers a rich tapestry of enjoyment, ranging from the impressive acting to the storyline. This movie is delightful to behold, and Zemeckis masterfully handled a complex task, making it appear effortless. Terry Gilliam declined the opportunity to direct this film because he found it too demanding. It’s intriguing to speculate what Gilliam might have created, but what Zemeckis delivered was exceptional.

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2025-01-23 00:30