Space Jam (1996)

Space Jam (1996)

6/10

 Staring

Michael Jordan

Billy West

Dee Bradley Baker

Danny DeVito

 

Directed by Joe Pytka

 

Contains Spoilers

Space Jam was the 90s happy place—a blend of various good ideas, with the main star being one of the most recognized people on screen at the time. The Nike ads from the 90s featuring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan served as the starting point for the Space Jam idea. We almost didn’t get this movie when Jordan retired in 1993, but his return to the game in 1995 revived the idea, and we’ll always be thankful for that.

When it comes to blending live-action and animation, Warner Bros didn’t do a fantastic job. Most of the praise should go to Jordan himself. He delivered a top-notch performance for someone who wasn’t a seasoned actor and never planned to be. Even though the animation felt a bit too slapstick and could have been improved, it’s forgivable because the movie’s ideas tied everything together nicely. The story isn’t the best they could’ve come up with, but Space Jam will always be one of those 90s movies everyone has seen.

The plot revolves around aliens. These aliens run a theme park that’s failing because it’s dull. They decide to kidnap the Looney Tunes characters, bring them to their planet, and use them as side attractions. The park’s owner, Mr. Swackhammer, sends his minions to abduct the Looney Tunes. However, the Tunes strike a deal with the minions: they agree to go willingly if they lose a basketball match.

The catch? The minions are small and stocky, making it seem like an easy win for the Tunes. But the minions use their alien powers to steal the basketball talents of top NBA players, including Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, and Muggsy Bogues. With their newfound abilities, the minions transform into towering, basketball-savvy "Monstars."

Here’s something about movies like this that I don’t get: you’re aliens with the ability to capture the Tunes—you’ve already won! But of course, it wouldn’t be a sports movie without a game. So, instead of just taking their hostages, the aliens decide to play games with them.

When the aliens return as six-foot-plus basketball giants, the Tunes are in big trouble. Using their unique skills, the Tunes manage to bring Jordan into their world by lassoing him down a golf hole while he’s playing with Bill Murray. Bugs Bunny explains the situation to Jordan, hoping he’ll help them. Jordan initially refuses, but after seeing the Monstars in action, he changes his mind and agrees to help. He trains the Tunes and prepares them to take on the Monstars in the ultimate basketball game.

Space Jam was one of the first movies to be shot almost entirely on a green screen. Jordan had to work alongside other basketball players and actors in green suits. The movie also featured an incredible soundtrack that dominated the radio in the 90s, with songs reaching the top of the charts. The soundtrack even earned a six-times platinum certification.

In 2021, a standalone sequel was made, this time featuring LeBron James as the central basketball player.