A rogue artificial intelligence kidnaps the son of famed basketball player LeBron James, who then has to work with Bugs Bunny to win a basketball game.
Okay, disclaimers upfront. I have never been a fan of comic characters, comic strips, or cartoons following movies (in the “old days” – I left after the movie, though I might make a concession on the Road Runner and his nemesis, Wile E. Coyote). As a former English teacher, I was shocked and horrified to discover what is now carefully called “graphic novels” aboundin our school libraries today (“Better to ‘read anything’ than not read at all”). However, I have to give my ground to my children’s generation and especially to my grandchildren. My kids were Saturday morning cartoon addicts, growing up almost sans video games but those dominate the culture of my grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come for sure. All this said I would never, out of choice, pick “Space Jam: A New Legacy” for an evening’s viewing. It wouldn’t have come across my radar unless, as it happened, I was invited to review it for IRISH FILM CRITIC. So, here goes.
Pros:
- The Animation. It’s brilliant and flashy and for us old folks, unimaginable! It’s a video game hugely vivid and quickly unfolding and eye-popping in color, speed, and amazement.
- The Story. It’s refreshing. The focus is on a strong family with James as the larger-than-life (really, really larger) father. As with many parents today, his dreams for his son don’t align with his son’s own dreams for his future. Dad sees another basketball legend while his son’s mind is completely wrapped up in designing video games. This aspiration is quite common among youngsters and young adults today. I’m quite sure it has replaced “fireman,” “doctor,” and “President” along with other standards when kids are asked, “What do you want to be?” Even though this father/son conflict plays out in a fantastical way in “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” it does offer possible insight for parents who face a child that is bucking the system as to what their future will hold.
- Relationships and Emotional Expression of Feelings. I loved seeing the many open expressions of love between a man and his son, a man who has made his living in a “man’s man” world, in this case, the NBA. Plus, dad LeBron isn’t afraid of looking goofy or funny or just being wrong when it comes to parenting vs his media image. Good one, LeBron. Keep it up and keep it going.
Cons:
- The Digital Villain. Don Cheadle, what were you thinking? This isn’t a role for you. I can literally count on one hand the moments when you actually might have seemed believably evil. I have to add, the animation helped you out a LOT in those instances too!
- Too much LeBron. Through much of the film, I felt I was in an infomercial featuring LeBron James. His company, SpringHill Entertainment, is a producer. It features James, his wife, and their children. I was filled in on his career and accomplishments. Totally. And we were treated to a real or could be real, replica of his home in all its opulence. Enough, James, enough.
After the film was over, my companion turned to me and said, “You shouldn’t have brought me to the screening as your guest. You should have brought our grandson!” He’s right. This is a good feeling family film but those hands-on gamers and devotees of James will definitely enjoy it the most. Oh, and I almost forgot. The cast is VERY diverse: many people of color in the cast, both visible and voice actors. And then there are rabbits, a Tasmanian Devil, a canary, a cat, a little person, a bear, a duck, a roadrunner, a coyote, well, I could go on and on. The bottom line, it’s a fun film and the animation will astound you. It’s funny and kids are going to love it. It seems to be lined up to rip a new opening weekend figure. What more can you ask?
In Theaters and on HBO Max Friday, July 16th
