Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988)

the Most Excellent 80s Movies Podcast

Join hosts Krissy Lenz and Nathan Blackwell and special guest Nate McWhortor (Gank that Drank: A Supernatural Drinking Game Podcast) as they journey down the rabbit hole of 1988's groundbreaking live-action/animated smash hit Who Framed Roger Rabbit. In this fun and insightful episode, we look at:

• The stunning visual effects that seamlessly blended live action and animation like never before, paving the way for modern CGI
• How Robert Zemeckis brought together Disney and Warner Bros characters on screen for the first time, an almost unthinkable crossover at the time
• Jessica Rabbit as a male fantasy icon but also a surprisingly nuanced female character who defies expectations
• The core theme of laughter as a unifying force contrasted with the humorless villains
• The not-so-subtle satire of Los Angeles development and transportation
• How well the film holds up today as an introduction to noir for kids and families

Krissy, Nate, and Nathan also share their personal memories of seeing Who Framed Roger Rabbit for the first time, get into the deeper themes, and analyze what still works and what doesn't all these years later. It's a spirited back-and-forth between two movie lovers taking a fond look back at a comedy classic.

Other topics discussed:

• The rapid-fire opening cartoon sequence introducing Roger Rabbit
• The groundbreaking interaction of cartoons and humans at the Ink & Paint Club
• The horrifying introduction of Christopher Lloyd's Judge Doom and his deadly "Dip"
• The scene-stealing performance of Bob Hoskins as Eddie Valiant
• The chase scenes and vintage Los Angeles settings
• The mystery plot and film noir tropes
• How the plot wraps up rather quickly in the end
• Comparing Who Framed Roger Rabbit to Cool World and Space Jam

So put on your best Eddie Valiant fedora and give a listen to Krissy, Nate and Nathan pay tribute to this outrageous live action/animated mashup that brought new levels of visual wizardry to the big screen. It's a spirited and enlightening dive into a comedy classic that still delights today.

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