Some kind of magic.
Seamlessly mixing live action with animation, telling a complex tale straight out of film noir, but also keeping the laughs poppin’, and anchored by Bob Hoskins as a rumpled private eye with a distrust of toons, this film is timeless.
You could have caught it in theaters in ’88, or come to it fresh on Disney+ in these blighted times, and be wowed either way.
They’ve discussed a sequel for years, possibly with Roger on the farm, and yet, as much as I want to see that, I’m OK with it never happening.
Why mess with perfection?