Who Framed Reid is a 1988 American movie that combines live-action and animation. The film is directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Bob Hoskins, Christopher Lloyd, Charles Fleischer, and Joanna Cassidy. The movie is set in 1947 Los Angeles and follows private investigator Eddie Valiant (Hoskins) as he tries to clear the name of his client, Roger Rabbit (Fleischer), a cartoon character accused of murder.
The Plot
The movie begins with Eddie Valiant, a private investigator who hates toons, being hired by R.K. Maroon (Alan Tilvern), the owner of Maroon Cartoons, to follow Jessica Rabbit (Cassidy), the wife of Maroon's star, Roger Rabbit. Valiant takes the job, but things get complicated when Marvin Acme (Stubby Kaye), the owner of Toontown and the inventor of the gag factory, is found dead, and Roger is the prime suspect.
Valiant starts to investigate and finds out that Judge Doom (Lloyd), the owner of Cloverleaf Industries, has a plan to destroy Toontown and build a freeway. Valiant discovers that Doom is the one who killed Acme and framed Roger for the murder. Valiant manages to defeat Doom and save Toontown.
The Characters
The movie has a rich cast of characters. Eddie Valiant is a hardboiled private investigator who hates toons because one of them killed his brother. Roger Rabbit is a cartoon character who is accused of murder but is innocent. Jessica Rabbit is Roger's wife and a femme fatale. Judge Doom is the villain of the movie, and he wants to destroy Toontown. Benny the Cab is a taxi who helps Valiant. And Baby Herman is a cartoon baby who acts like an adult.
The Production
Who Framed Reid is a groundbreaking movie that combined live-action and animation. To achieve this effect, the filmmakers used a technique called "roto-scoping," where the live-action footage was traced over by animators. This allowed the animated characters to interact with the live-action environment seamlessly. The movie also used computer-generated imagery (CGI) to enhance the animation.
The Legacy
Who Framed Reid was a critical and commercial success. The movie won three Academy Awards and is considered one of the best movies of the 1980s. The movie also spawned a franchise, including a video game, comic book, and a short-lived animated series.
The movie's impact on the animation industry cannot be overstated. Who Framed Reid paved the way for other live-action/animation hybrids, such as Space Jam and Cool World. The movie also inspired a new generation of animators and filmmakers.
The Conclusion
Who Framed Reid is a classic movie that combines humor, mystery, and suspense. The movie's groundbreaking use of live-action and animation paved the way for future movies and inspired a new generation of animators and filmmakers. Who Framed Reid is a must-watch for anyone who loves animation and film history.