For anyone who grew up during the 1990s, Space Jam is a beloved, nostalgic, and one of the
most fun films ever made.
It's a lighting in a bottle, once in a lifetime, brilliant moment of filmmaking that is a lot
more impactful than people give it credit for.
I mean, we love Space Jam so much so there are still talks and a desire to have a sequel
made starring Lebron james, 22 years after that first movie came out in theaters.
So, why do we love Space Jam so damn much?
Well, let's look at the type of movie it is: a live-action/animation hybrid featuring
Michael Jordan, who was the most famous athlete during his era in the 90s, and the Looney
Tunes, a time less property that had reached its peak in the 90s as well.
It a perfect marriage of these unlikely behemoths, and a source of obsession for any 90s kid.
This type of movie in general: live-action and animation, is something mostly anyone
can get behind and ultimately love to bits.
Just take a look at another timeless classic: Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
A critical darling that has aged very well and still is as captivating and brilliant
today as it was back in 1988.
We don't see these types of films very often because they're incredibly difficult to
make.
I won't delve into the process of what it actually takes to make these types of movies.
But the general idea is that you have to have your actors react accordingly to animated
characters that would only be included in post-production.
And actually successfully combining these animated characters in a live-action world
in such a way, to position them the right way, to have them react to what your real-life
actors did during filming, is almost mission impossible.
That's why, as I've said, it's a rarity among films.
And it's that rarity that makes us love these movies.
Space Jam's screenplay and writing aren't the best, obviously.
The story isn't anything profound and the initial reviews for the film pegged it to
be above average.
But for a kid growing up, Space Jam was everything you wanted, and more.
Seeing Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck interact with an icon like Michael Jordan is something
you didn't think you'd ever see anywhere.
It was a source of imagination for countless athletes and filmmakers alike growing up.
The soundtrack was awesome, the humor was appropriately childish and charming, but most
importantly, the animation still looks impressive to this day.
I love the plotline of having Michael Jordan retire from basketball to go play baseball,
and having him get dragged back onto the court for another match.
It's sort of very meta in a way, as MJ did not belong anywhere near a baseball field
during his prime years as the greatest basketball player who ever lived.
The movie did MJ justice and gave him a friendlier public image than what was really happening
in real life, as he's no angel to say the least.
But I especially love the way the Looney Tunes are depicted.
They're the exact same goofy and silly characters we've loved for decades.
Bugs and Daffy's banter and relationship is a highlight.
And I loved having Marvin the Martian as the referee as it definitely fits his character
and personality.
Plus, how can we forget Billy Murray's amazing appearance, showing up to help out MJ and
the Tune Squad in their match against the Monstars.
Larry Bird is out there hitting threes left and right, as he should.
And the storyline of the Monstar's gaining their powers from some of the best NBA players
at the time is just pure fun, from Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, to even Muggsy
Bogues.
So Space Jam rocks, there's no doubt about it.
But would a sequel actually work today.
Justin Lin from the Fast and Furious franchise was set to direct a sequel starring Lebron
James, but it still hasn't come to fruition.
Would we even want to see that movie?
There are two big concerns for the sequel.
One, if the Looney Tunes are still relevant enough to have their own theatrical movie.
As much as it pains me to say, I don't know that they are.
Bugs, Daffy, and crew have long been past their prime and the Tune Squad isn't the
dominant force as it was back in the 90s, it's just a simple plain fact.
The second concern is if Lebron James can fill MJ's shoes.
Those comparisons between two of the best to ever play the game would get even more
fueled with a Space Jam sequel.
But I'm less worried about Lebron's capability to carry a movie as I am with the Looney Tunes
being relevant enough.
Lebron is a star and he's shown he can hold his own when it comes to acting.
But more than anything, I want a Space Jam because I want a good hybrid between live-action
and 2D animation.
(3D doesn't count).
I think it'll genuinely be great for young kids growing up today to get more acquainted
with 2D animation, to bring that medium back to the forefront.
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