Review of Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021) by Jaywarped — 18 Jul 2021

In a contest between two mediocre films, to see which is the worst, this is definitely the loser. It is considerably less painful to finish. At times it's too funny to be amusingly bad, so for many that's a negative. This film dials back the absurdity quite a lot and explains quite a lot of the events, even if that's not apparent from the trailers. There's a lot more structure, and that allowed less risks to be taken for better or worse.

The live action performances early in the film feel unfinished and tonally inconsistent. They are paced way too fast for the relaxed tone the scenes should have, and at times it seems like Lebron received a different script than everyone else. When the stakes are raised later, things start to fall into place, but until then, they are just sucking up oxygen and you could not care less what they are saying. The only thing I can give the live action scenes credit for is being short, and the total absence of Wayne Knight.

Once the Tunes get involved, I have to say the film becomes moderately enjoyable. The pacing is still lighting fast, but the 2D animated cartoons aren't awkardly juxtaposed onto a living Lebron James, and he is actually turned into a 2D cartoon as well to aid in the interactions between the two, and I can only thank the heavens above that they chose this; it's much easier to focus on the Tunes performances when there isn't a massive real life person following them around. When he is converted back to 3D for the basketball game however, the Tunes are converted to 3D as well (accompanied by fittingly villainous music, oooh...) The mixing of media here is done in a much less jarring way, and the jokes being told are not immediately deflated by awkward real life interactions or Lola's debauchery.

I found myself remembering the jokes. Not one, but two days later. There's less dry slapstick and more structured jokes. I can't speak for any kids watching the new film in theaters, but it doesn't talk down to them and assumes you know a few things about the Looney Tunes and the live action cast, and if you do it's going to get a few genuine laughs. They demonstrate a good understanding of the source material and the celebrities used. It's not the absolute funniest the Looney Tunes have ever been, but I'd place it above the majority of their modern performances. Daffy's scene where he hijacks a train and is disappointed that it's headed towards an orphanage as opposed to the far less offensive locations listed, when Michael Jordan makes an appearance, when Tweety hits Anthony Davis with a train, when Damian Lillard as Chronos freezes time and messes with everyone. it's hilarious, it's classic Looney Tunes. In fact, Chronos' scenes are very, very good. I would watch them again any day of the week. I have to give credit where it's due.

While the movie is far from brilliant, it has moments of comedic brilliance and I cannot give it a truly bad score.