365 Films
Entry #1
Who Framed Roger
Rabbit (1988)
Directed by Robert
Zemeckis
We kick off my “knock-off” 365 blog with the granddaddy of
them all, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t mean to imply
that WFRR is the granddaddy of all
cinema, just my perspective of it. This was the first film I remember seeing in
theaters that actually registered with me on an image to eyeball producing
pleasurable neurological connections level. This was also the film during which
the infamous “skittle vomit” incident occurred. I feel that I can best sum up
that story with a simple math equation: (Large bag of skittles+full dinner+2
Chocolate Milkshakes=Rainbow colored vomit all over the floor of the ladies
room). I can’t quite remember what compelled me to want to see WFRR, I have a
vague notion of liking the name Roger when I was four-years-old. It’s possible
that an animated talking rabbit that dressed in red over-alls (one of my
favorite colors) just really tickled my fancy. I don’t remember being aware of
the fact that this was the first time that two titans of animation: Bugs Bunny
and Mickey Mouse, had dropped their corporate entanglements and appeared on
screen together. Nor do I remember being aware of the fact that basically every
major character from the history of animation has at least a cameo in the film. I especially don’t remember being aware
of the fact that the film itself is a groundbreaking work in the history of
cinema, seamlessly melding state of the art animation with live-action filmmaking.
I think it was the rabbit in red-overalls that really did it for me. That being
said, WFRR is an irreverent, eye-popping, whacked-out, screwball take on the
Los Angeles noir genre. To my eyes at the time, I just liked watching that damn
rabbit bumble around and fuck things up only to miraculously save the day at
the end. It’s been a while since
I’ve re-visited WFRR. I remember my most recent viewing of it to be a little
dis-heartening in that certain moments came off unnecessarily lecherous and
creepy. So as to not end the first entry on a downer note, I will say that I
look forward to introducing future generations to the exciting, pervy fun of
Who Framed Roger Rabbit. And to
scare the living shit out of them with the concept of “dip.”
2 comments:
First, you forgot to mention the most quoted line of the film: "When I killed your brother..."
Also, fun fact: I too loved the named Roger when I was a young boy and asked for it to be my middle name. But have since changed my mind, so glad my parents didn't take me up on that offer.
That's it, I'm calling you Roger from now on.
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