For those of us residing in the new micro-generation that’s recently been unearthed Roger Rabbit is a nod back to the good old days of our youth when cartoons didn’t need to make a lot of sense or have any well-established morals to be funny. It was the type of Looney Tunes drop-a-fridge-on-their-heads humor that made Who Framed Roger Rabbit so great. Plus the overall darker nature of the film and the fact that it served as many young men’s fantasies when discussing Jessica Rabbit is subject that the more wholesome Disney vibe isn’t into so much these days. To put things in perspective, few millennials even remember Roger Rabbit exists unless they see it on Netflix, and even then they might not care.
So not to put a negative spin on the film, which is a personal favorite, but it might not yet be time for this bit of nostalgia to make its comeback. Here are a few reasons why.
Bob Hoskins passed away in 2014.
You remember Eddie Valiant right? He was the gruff and rough detective that played opposite Roger and kind of cooled the cartoon rabbit down with his less than stellar attitude towards toons. With all the work in CGI and the capabilities of bringing an actor “back to life” it’s definitely possible to screen him in, but a lot of fans feel that this would be a disservice to Hoskins’ memory. You can’t always get the personality of the original even when the work put into it is flawless, look at Lei and Tarkin from Rogue One. They were well done, but there was still that hint of personality that the computer can’t recreate on its own.
Roger and Jessica don’t exactly fit Disney’s idea of wholesome fun.
Now you might want to argue this point and believe me it would be valid. Disney princesses and other cartoons have been guilty of being sexualized quite a bit throughout the years. But let’s be honest, Jessica Rabbit goes beyond sexual into a new version of over the top, nearly pornographic exposure that Disney cartoons are not ready for. Plus, despite being the one that would fit in the most, Roger wouldn’t fit as well either considering that he’s a very dated toon, meaning he he has more of a 1940’s vibe that just doesn’t mesh with today’s cartoon world. An update would be possible of course, but then he might not be the same Roger.
It could push the entire film back in obscurity for good.
Right now a lot of us that grew up in the 1980’s can remember this film very well and with a great fondness that makes us smile when we think about it. Now think of how badly sequels can bomb and how much they taint the original with their very presence. It always comes down to “yeah the first one was great but the second, yikes”. Why leave any mention of this classic film with a bad taste in your mouth? At the moment at least Roger Rabbit needs to be allowed to rest and enjoy a recurring appearance on Netflix for those of that still love the film.
I love watching this film over and over, it’s a laugh riot from start to finish. Personally that’s how I’d like to remember it. A sequel at this point just isn’t needed, and it could only hurt the nostalgic enjoyment of anyone that cares even a little about the movie.
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