Thursday, January 31, 2013

Who Framed Roger Rabbit?


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:

Gabe said...

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.

Ethan Carota said...

That's it, I'm calling you Roger from now on.