Hello everyone! I hope you all are doing well. Today, shortly after rewatching, and reviewing the original Space Jam movie that was released 25 years ago, we now dive into the sequel that was released recently. Not to mention that plans for a Space Jam sequel were apparently in the talks as far back as shortly after the original film came out. Well, here we are years later, with the Warner Bros. company, and audiences finally getting their wish. Was it worth the 25 year wait? Let’s find out by diving into the review for Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Plot: NBA player Lebron James (himself), and his son, Dom (Cedric Joe) travel to Warner Bros. Inc. in California for an event. Things go awry, however, when a computer algorithm named Al-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle) sucks Dom into the server verse (basically the digital computer universe). Now, Lebron must agree to getting his son back by winning a basketball against Al-G, and his team of goons, known as the Goon Squad. With the help of Bugs Bunny (Jeff Bergman), Lola Bunny (Zendaya), Daffy Duck (Eric Bauza), and the rest of the Looney Tunes gang, can Lebron succeed in winning, retrieving his son back, and getting themselves brought back into the real world once and for all?
Okay, I must confess that along with Raya & The Last Dragon, and In The Heights, Space Jam: A New Legacy was another one of my most anticipated films to see for this year. I mean after it had been 25 years since the original Space Jam movie was released, I had been curious to see where this story would go, and if this sequel would be almost as good as the original film. So now we find ourselves wondering, “Was it worth waiting 25 years for this sequel in the end?” Well, let me put it to you all this way. Space Jam: A New Legacy may not quite be in the same league as the original film. However, there are one, or two areas in which this second installment excels over the previous movie. But more on that fairly soon! Let’s talk about what could have made this sequel a little better. First off, despite this film having a running time of almost two hours, Space Jam: A New Legacy’s story seems to be a little too rushed, and not quite as developed to it’s full potential as it could have been. Part of this may probably be because there may have been too many worlds crammed in. This may have also prevented the world building from being really great. Oh, it’s still very good, make no mistake! Still, we could have maybe had time to see some of the worlds a little more than we did in the end. There were also other elements crammed in that may have seemed from seeing the trailers of this film. While they may still be fun to see in the actual film itself, they seem to also be pointless as well. I won’t say what kinds of elements to avoid spoilers. However, let’s just just say that some of these elements worked better in a film like 2018’s Wreck-It-Ralph 2: Ralph Breaks The Internet, for instance. Oh, and there were some additional random things that occurred without official things, or any signs of foreshadowing that would lead up to those events occurring. Oh, and the ending might have ended a little earlier than it should have in the end.
But is Space Jam: A New Legacy as horrible as people make it out to be? Well, it’s not one of the best sequels out there, that’s for sure. Nevertheless, there’s plenty to like about this film. First of all, Al-G Rhythm is such an improvement from Space Jam’s Swackhammer. True, the Monstars were at least good villain minions/sidekicks. However, when it comes to main villaibs, Al-G Rhythm truly shines. He’s charismatic, cunning, and as deceptive as a villain could be. Considering that Don Cheadle hasn’t seemed to play as many villain roles, as he has with heroic ones, he was fantastic at pulling this off. Oh, and if you liked even Disney villains like Ursula (from The Little Mermaid), or Scar (from The Lion King), Al-G may likely rank up with villains like them, or come really close. Same would likely go for Al-G’s minion team, the Goon Squad. Then there are the two types of animation that are incorporated in this film. First off, there’s the 2D hand-drawn animation. Now, most of us know that this type of animation has not been used in mainstream animated films anymore. However, with the time that we’ve had with it, it is really good. In fact, if companies like Warner Bros., or even Disney, or DreamWorks were to use an animation like it in the future, they should use it, or take it a step further. As for the CGI 3D animation that is also used in this film, it’s also pure gold. I mean even the designs of the Looney Tunes looks superb when they become 3D characters temporarily. And of course the 3D world is so crisp, and amazing to look at. I mean if you liked the 3D animation, and movements of characters in a movie like 2018’s Ready Player One, you’ll be in awe of it even in this film too. Additionally, what this film lacks in storytelling, and world building, it makes up for with some solid good comedy, as well as good messages. First off, with the comedy, sure that part may have been a little better in the first film. Still, Space Jam: A New Legacy has it’s fair share of comedic moments as well. Lastly, As for the messages, there are a couple really good ones. First off, there’s of course the message about learning to not always trust others, even if offers from strangers might sound too good to be true. Second, there’s a good message about not letting your mistakes define who you are in the present, or future. Finally, there’s an additional good message about being willing to see things from other people’s perspective. Seeing as some of us have sometimes being guilty of making other people see things from our point of view, it’s a good message to be incorporated in this film.
And that’s my review for Space Jam: A New Legacy. For the most part, other than the villain, and both types of animation being improvements from the first film, this sequel may not leave quite as much of a lasting legacy as the original film. Still, the film does stand fairly well on the mostly good areas that it has going for it. I would say that if you saw the first film, and want to see a fairly continuation, then definitely go see this movie. Also, plan to see the movie in theaters instead of HBO Max. It’s a much better experience in theaters for sure. The messages are good, the animation is excellent, and the comedy is very spot on, along with a few other things. So yeah, make it a point to see this movie. You’d be surprised how much fun you’d still likely have with seeing this film.
Final Grade: B-
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 