So it was Judge Doom who was supposed to have killed Bambi's mother? This is one of the revelations included in the filmmaker commentary included on this features-laden two-disc set of one of DVD's most requested titles. It was worth the wait. A once-in-a-lifetime pleasure, this dizzying and dazzling 1988 tour de force combines, like no feature film before it, live-action and animation. With the loving craft of Disney, the outrageous humor of Warner Bros. cartoons, and the anarchic spirit of animator Tex Avery, this loony homage to film noir and animation's golden age conjures up Hollywood, circa 1947, and a delirious parallel cartoon universe, Toontown, where beloved "toons" born of pen and ink in the 1930s and '40s reside. Here, and nowhere else, will you see Donald Duck and Daffy Duck sharing the same stage, and Mickey Mouse and Bugs Bunny as prank-playing partners. Heading the human cast is Bob Hoskins as down-and-out private eye Eddie Valiant, who is investigating the murder of Toontown owner Marvin Acme. The prime suspect is toon star Roger Rabbit, whose impossibly curvaceous wife Jessica (indelibly voiced by Kathleen Turner) has been seen playing patty-cake (literally) with Acme. Or was it Jessica herself? ("I'm not bad, Mr. Valiant," she purrs, "I'm just drawn that way.") Or was Acme's murder part of a more diabolical plot that could erase Toontown from the map? Hopping with entertaining extras, "Family Friendly" Disc 1 contains the full screen version of the film, a "making-of" featurette, and three Roger Rabbit shorts. Disc 2 is for the real "Enthusiast," with a widescreen presentation of the Oscar-winning film; optional audio commentary by director Robert Zemeckis, the producers, and the screenwriters; the nightmarish "Pig Head" deleted sequence; and more. This is one of the year's best DVDs. To paraphrase Roger, p-p-p-lease don't miss it. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (K. Lee Benson)
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Walt Disney, 2 discs, 104 min., PG, DVD: $29.99 Volume 18, Issue 3
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
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