Space Jam (1996) Warner Bros./Comedy-Sci-Fi-Adventure RT: 88 minutes Rated PG (some mild language and rude humor, cartoon violence) Director: Joe Pytka Screenplay: Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick, Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod Music: James Newton Howard Cinematography: Michael Chapman Release date: November 15, 1996 (US) Cast: Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny, Wayne Knight, Daffy Duck, Theresa Randle, Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues, Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Manner Washington, Eric Gordon, Penny Bae Bridges, Brandon Hammond, Thom Barry. Voices: Danny DeVito, Billy West, Dee Bradley Baker, Bob Bergen, Bill Farmer, June Foray, Maurice LaMarche, Kath Soucie, Jocelyn Blue, Charity James, June Melby, Catherine Reitman, Colleen Wainwright, Dorian Harewood, Joey Camen, T.K. Carter, Darnell Suttles, Steve Kehela, Frank Welker. Box Office: $90.5M (US)/$250.3M (World)
Rating: ** ½
Most people reading these words grew up watching Looney Tunes cartoons. They’re every bit a rite of childhood as climbing trees or learning to ride a bike. Every kid, big and little, loves Looney Tunes. We all have our favorites. I was always partial to Pepe Le Pew, the amorous French skunk forever in pursuit of l’amour. I just love the way he runs. I wish he had a little more screen time in Space Jam, a live-action/animated comedy that pits the whole Looney gang (and NBA legend Michael Jordan) against aliens from outer space in a winner-take-all game of basketball.
No, you didn’t misread the previous paragraph. Chicago Bulls player Michael Jordan is the human star of Space Jam. It could even be said that it’s semi-autobiographical because he essentially plays himself. It starts with a flashback to 1973 where we find young Michael (Hammond, Waiting to Exhale) shooting hoops in his backyard while his father proudly looks on. He already has a life plan. He wants to go to the University of North Carolina then play for the NBA before moving onto professional baseball. Michael achieves his dream only to discover his talent doesn’t extend to the baseball field. He’s not a very good player, but nobody seems to mind all that much (except for an annoying sports commentator on TV). People like Mike as evidenced by the catcher telling him which pitches he should swing at.
Meanwhile, trouble is about to rear its ugly head in Looney Tunes Land. Alien heavy Swackhammer (voice of Danny De Vito), the owner of a failing intergalactic amusement park, decides he needs new attractions to save his business. He sends his minions to abduct the Looney Tune gang after watching old clips from their animated shorts. Naturally, the first one they meet upon their arrival is Bugs Bunny himself who, true to character, tries to put one over on them. They capture him and announce their intentions to the others. Not one to give in without a fight, Bugs rallies his fellow Tunes in challenging the aliens to a game of basketball, a contest they should easily win due to their adversaries’ diminutive size. If they win, they’re left where they are. If they lose, they go quietly with the aliens.
Realizing what they’re up against, the aliens devise and execute a plan to steal the talents of top NBA players Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson and Muggsy Bogues. In doing that, they also grow to gargantuan sizes. In response, Bugs pulls Michael into his world through a golf hole while he’s playing with Bill Murray and Larry Bird. He wants Michael to coach the “Tune Squad” and help them defeat the aliens.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to figure out who Space Jam is aimed at. Who else but grade school boys (and some girls) would fully appreciate a movie that brings Looney Tunes, Michael Jordan, aliens and basketball together? I was well past childhood when it came out; I was only interested in seeing my old Looney pals again in an all-new adventure. The whole gang is back- Bugs, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn, Tasmanian Devil, Marvin the Martian and the rest. It’s great to see the Looney Tunes back in action. Oops, wrong movie! In addition, Bugs gets a love interest in the form of Lola Bunny, a talented, independent-minded player who hates being called “doll”. It’s about time they introduce a major female character into the male-centric animated world created by Hugh Harman in the 30s.
While Space Jam didn’t thrill me as much as the kids in attendance at the preview screening, I did like it. Sure, it’s all rather silly, but is that not the essence of Looney Tunes? As you can probably tell, I’m still a fan. I frequently post quotes from the old shorts on my FaceBook page. However, I’m not a big fan of basketball or any other sport. As such, that aspect of Space Jam didn’t do anything for me until the Tune Squad turns up the heat in the second half of the game. That’s when we get a big helping of the physical humor that defines the classic shorts. It’s still funny. Co-star Wayne Knight (Seinfeld) even gets in on it after being flattened on the court. I especially love the Pulp Fiction reference.
Humor is one thing NOT lacking in Space Jam. What it does lack is an emotional core. The opening sequence of Michael and his dad just talking and shooting baskets is sweet. After the montage of Michael’s NBA career, we get a few scenes of him at home with his own family. He briefly commiserates with his young son (a Little Leaguer) after they both have a bad day on the baseball field. Unfortunately, the movie doesn’t follow through on this angle. It jumps right into the silly stuff and leaves the serious stuff behind. I wanted more of the father-son stuff. I wanted more heart.
Oh, heck! I don’t have the heart to be too hard on Space Jam. I shouldn’t be looking at it through the eyes of an adult. I should be thinking like a 9YO boy still entertained by cartoons and excited by the abilities of Michael Jordan. On that level, I can see where it would be grand entertainment. If I look at it this way, I don’t have too much to complain about. I can’t even criticize Michael’s acting ability. On the contrary, he doesn’t do too bad a job. He’s a good sport about goofing on his own image. He’s also convincing in his interactions with his animated co-stars. His human co-stars follow his lead in not taking things too seriously, especially Murray who miraculously keeps a straight face. The animated stars are spot-on perfect as usual. All of the major Looney Tune characters get a scene or two; you’ll spot many, many minors ones in the background and in the stands. Myself, I was happy to see Pete Puma.
Directed by Joe Pytka (Let It Ride), who also helmed several of Michael’s Air Jordan commercials, Space Jam works more than it doesn’t thanks to its zany, anything-goes sensibility. It occasionally crosses into subversive territory with some great in-jokes including a direct pot shot at Disney. The players who lose their abilities provide a few laughs too as they try to figure out why they suddenly can’t play worth a lick. The blend of live-action and animation is the best I’ve seen since Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
In the end, Space Jam is kind of fun if you treat it like a trip back to childhood. I’m not going to lament what it could have been had it played up the father-son angle. Instead, I’ll praise it for the fun movie it is. It’s bound to delight kids of all ages.
