Hey everyone! Welcome to yet another time of movie reviewing! Well, as I’m sure you all know, I just got done with reviewing my 450th movie review, which of course was The Sound Of Music. Now, we fast forward three decades later, to a film that was released in the 1990s, 1996 to be exact. Not only that, but today’s review is a combination of both live-action, and animation, and is also said to be the highest-grossing basketball movie of all time. Huh! Interesting if that’s the case, yes? Either way, in honor of Space Jam: A New Legacy being released as of recently, let’s dive into it’s predecessor, from 25 years ago, in 1996, Space Jam.
Plot: Bugs Bunny (Billy West), and his gang of Looney Tunes decide to bring Michael Jordan (himself) into their world after a band of aliens, known as the Nerdlucks, steal the talents of popular basketball players at the time, and become powerful players. The Looney Tunes tell Michael that they need his help to help defeat the now Monstars in a basketball game. Can Michael Jordan help the Looney Tunes defeat the Monstars before they become slaves on the Nerdlucks/Monstars home, known as Moron Mountain?
Okay, first off, I have a bit of a story to tell in regards to this film. Well, when I first saw Space Jam as a kid, I believed that the Looney Tunes, and/or even other cartoon characters actually did exist underground for a long while. In fact, my friend PJ, and I actually each dug a hole both at his place, and mine to try to get there. Long story short, we didn’t realize until maybe a year, or two later that it was all just fake, and make believe, and was something for just this Space Jam film as a result. Well, pretty ridiculous that we believed that in the first place, eh? Needless, this film had personal meaning for me, you know? And now, after being absent from this film for years, it’s time for me to talk about it from a critical standpoint now.
Well, Space Jam does hold up quite well, but there are a few areas in which it could have improved. First off, Swackhammer, the villain of this film, and leader of the alien Nerdlucks/Monstars, was a decent villain. Still, his motivations could have maybe been a little better. Honestly, the Monstars seemed to feel more like the villains than him. Sort of tragic in a way, wouldn’t you say? Second, there were a few plot holes here, and there that could have maybe been elaborated on a little more. Finally, there were one, or two of the aliens that felt a little stereotypical, and didn’t seem to have as much personality as a result.
Nevertheless, there is plenty to recommend for this film. First off, the movie is very funny at times. Especially when it comes to the scenes that involve the Tunes, they help to bring in some spot on comedy for this film. Oh, and on a side note, when it comes to the comedy from the Looney Tunes either from this film, or any other movie, or show that involves these characters, it’s understandable as to how Disney was inspired to make films like 2000’s The Emperor’s New Groove. Next, there is the musical score by James Newton Howard. Okay, maybe his score may not be as great as say in certain family, and adult films that would be released later down the road. Still, it’s very good. What’s more is that the sound is surprisingly really fun. Who wouldn’t want to sing songs like “I Believe I Can Fly,” or even “Welcome To The Space Jam,” for instance? Interestingly enough, I can still recall attending a wedding reception years ago, and the DJ replaying the latter song quite a few times throughout the day. Very cool, I’d say. Both the live-action, and cartoon characters are really well thought out too, even when it comes to some of the newer ones, such as Lola Bunny. Speaking of her, a lot of people have seemed to complain that she might be a little too sexual, and seductive for kids. Is it possible that the filmmakers might have gone a little over the top in that regards? Maybe! Still, there were some scenes in this film where it actually worked very well. Plus, the whole deal might go mostly over kid’s heads, and some people might be blowing things out of proportion in that regard, you know? Additionally, both the live-action acting, and the voice acting were done really well. I was surprised to discover, for example, that Danny Devito, who would go on to voice characters like Phil in the Disney version of Hercules (which came out several months after this film), was the voice of one of the characters. And of course who wouldn’t enjoy Michael Jordan playing himself in this film? Oh, and how could I fail to mention Wayne Knight, who of course was in films like Jurassic Park, or also voice acted in films like the Disney versions of Hercules, and Tarzan? One other thing to mention is that Space Jam does a fantastic job of blending both live-action, and animation together.
And that’s my review for 1996’s Space Jam. it is a fun, and engaging film. It has a fun soundtrack, well-written characters, mostly, and other really good things that make it engaging from beginning to end. I would say that if you haven’t seen this film even 25years later, this is definitely one that needs to be checked out. Especially if you like watching the Looney Tunes on screen, you’ll enjoy it very much, I’m sure.
Final Grade: B+
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 