Review of Space Jam (1996) by Mrmoviebuff — 09 Feb 2017

When you combine a basketball star, Michael Jordan, to team up with Looney Tunes icon, Bugs Bunny, in a goofy and fun adventure, you will get something out of it to remember. Fortunately for 'Space Jam', it is a lot of fun, but unfortunately for the movie, it is too commercial.

Angry and ambitious leader, Scratchhammer (voiced by Danny DeVito) is upset that his theme park is losing tourists and that nobody is interested in visiting anymore. He then tells his minions to grab the "Looney Tunes" in order to make them be able to attract tourists to the theme park.

Meanwhile, we see Michael Jordan (played by himself) trying to cope playing baseball after retiring from basketball. He is then accompanied by Stan Podlack (Wayne Knight) who tries to offer what's best for him.

Back at the animation world, the Looney Tunes come across the Scratchhammer's minions who try to blackmail them into working for the theme park. However, the Looney gang come up with an idea to challenge them to a basketball game since they're so small, the Looney gang won't have to lose.

But, the little aliens have an idea in which they steal the talents of some big-name basketball players and end up absorbing it hence they inherit the skills of these respective players. The Looney Tunes then see this as an act of trouble, as they are so desperate, they kidnap Michael Jordan and bring him into the animated world.

Trying to suspend disbelief, Jordan seems reluctant to help as he hasn't played basketball in a long time, and is worried that this may not be a good idea. 'Space Jam' benefits from a lot of good-natured humor that is fine for young audiences, and is silly enough for adults to even laugh at most of the physical slapstick jokes.

It's a whole lot of fun as it moves at a fast pace, and is a visual feast. The big name cameos including Bill Murray himself, are also something adults can enjoy, not forgetting the references to these cameos.

However, the movie is very commercial, and at times, some of the acting, even from Jordan himself - who is not an actor, so I shouldn't be harsh - is a little stale. The movie tries its best to combine the basketball superstar and the iconic animated characters, but, it's an uneasy mix of both.

I admired 'Space Jam' more than I liked it or loved it, it's good for kids, fun for adults, and harmless overall. But maybe, don't try and shove too may plugs or else, it's just one big commercial.