Coyote vs. Acme Review: A Wild Legal Comedy

The premise is as simple and brilliant as a coyote’s plan: after yet another catastrophic failure involving a rocket-powered skateboard and a conveniently placed anvil, Wile E. Coyote (voiced with silent dignity) decides he’s had enough. He walks into the office of Kevin Avery (Will Forte), a small-time billboard lawyer in New Mexico, and demands to sue the Acme Corporation for gross product negligence. Kevin, a man whose career has been defined by representing disgruntled fast-food employees, sees a massive payday. His estranged wife, Paige (Lana Condor), a newly minted corporate attorney, is roped in as opposing counsel, creating a tidy domestic conflict.

The plot unfolds as a classic David-versus-Goliath legal battle, but with a twist: the plaintiff is a cartoon character whose physical reality is dictated by the same laws of physics that govern his own shorts. This allows the film to stage courtroom testimony as flashbacks of pure slapstick, where Wile’s misadventures with Acme’s defective merchandise are replayed in all their painful, hilarious glory. Meanwhile, Acme’s ruthless CEO, Buddy Crane (John Cena), dispatches a slippery fixer, Sal Maltese (Tone Bell), to sabotage the case. The story is lean and predictable in its broad strokes, but the execution is relentlessly creative, weaving in cameos from the classic Warner Bros. roster without ever feeling forced.

Director Dave Green understands the assignment on a cellular level. He doesn’t try to make Coyote vs. Acme a self-important, live-action/animation hybrid that over-explains its own absurdity. Instead, he leans into the inherent humor of the situation. Wile E. Coyote’s silent, determined stoicism is the film’s emotional anchor. He doesn’t speak, yet his expressive eyes - rendered with the same hand-drawn grace as the original shorts - convey a soul-deep weariness that’s genuinely touching. The film wisely lets the Looney Tunes be Looney Tunes; the animated sequences are vibrant, chaotic, and packed with the kind of creative violence that made the originals timeless.

Forte is perfectly cast as the hapless, slightly sleazy Kevin, a man so desperate for a win that he’ll represent a coyote against a behemoth. He brings a frantic, sad-sack energy that mirrors his animated client’s own doomed perseverance. Condor, as the ethically conflicted Paige, provides a grounded counterweight, and her chemistry with Forte feels real without becoming saccharine. Cena, meanwhile, is having an absolute blast as the smarmy, corporate villain. He leans into the parody of a tech-bro CEO with a grin that’s all teeth and a heart made of TPS reports. The voice cast, featuring Eric Bauza pulling double and triple duty as Bugs, Daffy, and Foghorn Leghorn, is impeccable, capturing the classic cadences perfectly.

Where the film stumbles is in its pacing. The middle section, largely set in depositions and boardrooms, drags slightly as it tries to build legal tension. The jokes about contract law and liability waivers are clever but occasionally repetitive, and one can’t help but wish for another ten minutes of pure chase sequences. Additionally, the villain’s schemes - ranging from bribery to witness intimidation - feel like they belong in a more conventional legal thriller, creating a slight tonal clash with the cartoon bombast. Yet, just as the momentum wanes, the film throws in a brilliant set-piece - a courtroom reenactment involving a giant catapult and a kangaroo - that snaps everything back into focus.

Pros

• Will Forte and Lana Condor share genuine, charming chemistry that grounds the absurd premise.
• The animation of Wile E. Coyote is faithful and expressive, honoring the character’s legacy.
• John Cena is a comedic force, stealing nearly every scene as the soulless CEO.
• The classic Looney Tunes cameos are integrated with wit, not just winking nostalgia.
• The core message about corporate accountability is surprisingly earnest and effective.

Cons

• The legal-thriller subplot goes on a bit too long, sagging the film’s middle.
• The corporate satire can feel a little on-the-nose, lacking the sharpness of the best animated comedies.
• Some of the supporting human characters, like the judge (Luis Guzmán), are woefully underused.
• The resolution is a bit too tidy, wrapping up the emotional conflict almost too perfectly.

Coyote vs. Acme is a scrappy little film that beats the odds, much like its protagonist. It’s a love letter to a beloved character that doesn’t just rest on nostalgia; it builds a new, modern story around him that feels timely and exciting. While it’s not devoid of flaws - the legal stretches feel a bit padded, and the satire isn’t always razor-sharp - the film’s abundant charm, quick wit, and genuine heart win the day. It’s a testament to the power of creative perseverance. If you’ve ever rooted for the underdog (or under-coyote), this is a wildly enjoyable ride that deserves your attention. It may not be perfect, but like Wile E. himself, it never gives up trying.