***Access to an advanced screening was provided by Warner Bros., all opinions are my own.”””
Nearly 25 years after Michael Jordan and Bill Murray took down the Goon Squad, on July 16th, Warner Bros. has scheduled a rematch. MJ has been subbed out, though, for current global icon and NBA superstar LeBron James.
This is Space Jam: A New Legacy and the movie releases on July 16th.
Can LeBron lead the Tune Squad to another victory?
Of course.
Can Warner Bros. pull off a reboot of it’s $250 million grossing 1996 star-laden film?
For my kids and I – YES.
LeBron vs. Jordan
Whether LeBron is better than MJ on the basketball court is an argument that will last my lifetime. I can settle a parallel version, though: LeBron is a better actor than MJ.
Let’s set our expectations – James is no Sidney Poitier. He is, though, very good with both the emotional scenes with his son (played by Cedric Joe) and during the on-court action scenes. LeBron seems very comfortable in front of the camera than the greatest basketball player of all-time, Michael Jordan, did two decades ago.
Story and Supporting Cast
The story will be familiar – a super villain, Al G. Rhythm (played by Don Cheadle), kidnaps James and his son as part of a diabolical plot to gain the recognition for his work in building the technological infrastructure of Warner Bros. Studios. To reunite with his son, James must lead the Tune Squad (a team of past Warner Bros. cartoon stars like Bugs Bunny and Roadrunner) to a victory over Rhythm’s Goon Squad (a team of “Leveled Up” NBA and WNBA greats paired with LeBron’s son).
Underlying the story – and absent from the original film – is a layer of parenthood that I appreciated. Space Jam: A New Legacy introduces LeBron James as a father who pressures his son to perform on the basketball court rather than at his real passion – creating code for video games.
The story is really about family – with a “looney” basketball game on the side.
Visual Appeal and Technological Hooks
The movie is eye candy – bright, vivid, energetic, and weaves into human and animation interactions flawlessly. The interactions between the human cast and the cartoons is seamless and avoids the awkward, obviously-green-screen-shot scenes typical of human/cartoon films.
Further fast-forwarding the story into the modern world, the conflict in Space Jam: A New Legacy centers around an gaming app that LeBron’s son, Dom, has developed to his dad’s chagrin. The match between the Tunes and Goons is attended by those trying to stream the game via social media.
The new, modern, technological themes and updated animation imagery bring a new feel to the familiar storyline.
Summary
My kids have no idea there was an original Space Jam in 1996. They could identify Bugs Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Wile E. Coyote, but they may never have watched a cartoon with them. My kids have seen LeBron James dunk a ball, they wouldn’t understand that he’s a global icon and father.
Space Jam: A New Legacy will have my children watching new cartoons, asking about my memories of the 1996 film with Michael Jordan, and, I believe, seeing King James in a different, broader light.
Sure, I loved the basketball action and familiarity of the movie. But, I really loved the lessons my kids will walk forward with after watching – and the connection we now share for this enduring story from my childhood.
Space Jam: A New Legacy is better than the original. LeBron is a better actor than MJ. Your family will love being introduced to the cartoons we loved as kids.
Enjoy Space Jam: A New Legacy in theatres or on HBOMax starting 7/16. I certainly did.
Dad Roundtable with Don Cheadle
Space Jam star Don Cheadle sat down with several dads to discuss the movie, fatherhood, and, even, basketball. The link to the full session is here or embedded below. Enjoy!
