Roller Coaster Rabbit (1990)

So much average

Let's be realistic.

I wanted to like it more than I actually did... But much of the humor totally escaped me and I walked out only mildly impressed.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Having recently got one of my all-time favourite films 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' on DVD, all three Roger Rabbit shorts were included as bonuses. And what great bonuses they were, thoroughly enjoyable in their own way, go perfectly with the film and almost as good.Following on from the very good 'Tummy Trouble', the second cartoon 'Roller Coaster Rabbit' is even better. It is closer in spirit to the wild manic energy of 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' and has a more imaginative setting, this time set in an amusement park. The basic story is not that special, if you remember the hilarious made-up short that started 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' you have the basic story structure for all three Roger Rabbit cartoons except in different settings.What stops things from being predictable, repetitive and tired is the increasingly intensely frenetic physical comedy/violence (Roger always getting the worst of it), the wonderfully relentlessly madcap pacing that reminds one of a slightly faster paced Tex Avery cartoon (while occasionally feeling a touch rushed) and writing that's never less than very amusing and at its best hysterical (the roller coaster scene in particular in phenomenal in its execution).Anybody familiar with 'Animaniacs', 'Pinky and the Brain' and 'Tiny Toons', or who grew up with them, and only saw the Roger Rabbit cartoons recently like me, will love the vibrancy of the colours, the detail of the backgrounds and fluidity of the movements in 'Tummy Trouble'. The live-action sequence at the end like in tribute to 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' was an inspired touch. The music is rousing and energetically orchestrated, Roger and Baby Herman work wonders together and the voice acting is fine.All in all, brilliant. 10/10 Bethany Cox

THE PRODUCTION TEAM pulled out all stops in bringing this one to the screen. In addition to the old art of full animation, this cartoon has the benefit of modern special effects animation also. The sound work and Technicolour are also outstanding.IN SHORT, THEY took a very thin, thread bare even, premise and did it up to a tee. They stick to the now formula of Baby Herman, Roger and the Lady (seen only at her lower leg level ala Hanna-Barberra's MGM TOM & JERRY Cartoons of the 1940's).FROM THIS THEY move everything along at a typically manic pace, bringing it to a most enjoyable successful conclusion.PERSONALLY SPEAKING, WE have really enjoyed this experimental foray into doing new theatrical cartoons by Amlin Enertainment and Disney. We sure wish that they'd do some more; perhaps on a greater volume.

After being disappointed with Roger Rabbit's first short "Tummy Trouble," I didn't expect much from this one. To my surprise this second short held more true to the caliber of the opening cartoon from the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" It had most of what I liked about that beginning scene from the film: a similar animation style, the fast paced slapstick, and a reminiscing quality of old cartoons from the early to mid 1900's. It had the craziness, insane action, and goofy comedy that I enjoy in a short cartoon. The extra scenes at the end during the credits also tie it all back to and pay a little homage to the film that spawned these little cartoons.

Roger Rabbit loses Baby Herman at an amusement park when the little tike goes in search of his red balloon. All manner of craziness ensues.I'm not the biggest fan of the Roger Rabbit shorts, finding Roger's voice a little on the irritating side and the relentlessly madcap nature and breakneck speed of the action, something akin to Tex Avery on speed, just a touch too excessive for my taste (I had the same problem with Spielberg's equally insane Animaniacs).Even though Roller Coaster Rabbit doesn't rate as highly with me as it does with other reviewers here on IMDb, I still recommend it if only for the fact that pneumatic Jessica Rabbit fleetingly appears tied to a roller-coaster track (cue wolf-whistles, leg thumping on table, jaw hitting the floor, eyes popping out, and steam erupting from ears!).(Please excuse the fact that all the reviews I have written for the Roger Rabbit shorts are almost identical—since all three cartoons follow exactly the same formula, I thought I would save myself some time!)