Used to be obsessed with this movie. Saw it like a million times, collected stickers and Looney Tune tazos, had a bunch of toys (that broke super easily).
Saw it again as an adult, not sure whether it's bad or not. The comedy doesn't quite hold up compared to the classic cartoons, but it's such a weird movie that it just doesn't matter. The best part is how all the humans just accepts everything that happens, no matter how bizarre.
Somehow I managed to avoid seeing this as a kid, even though it was absolutely everywhere when I was in 6th grade. Every single kid in my class had Space-Jam stationary, shoes, backpacks etc. I wasn't really into sports or Looney-Toons as a kid, which was why I didn't see it.
Watching it as an adult, it really is a movie for kids. There's none of the winking, subversive adult humor common in modern animated films, and a lot of the jokes are obvious and crude. The animation is very impressive, and holds up to this day. It 1996 it must have been nothing short of earth-shattering, which is probably why the movie was so popular back then.
What surprised me was how focused the movie was on Michael Jordan. The film begins with R. Kelly's "I Believe I can Fly" playing unironically as a young Jordan shoots three-pointers. While the movie spends a lot of time ribbing Jordan on his failed baseball career, they treat him like a living god in terms of basketball. There's just a level of hero worship in this movie that I found off-putting. I don't think kids nowadays would like this very much, especially if they don't know who Michael Jordan is.
How can you not like this movie? It's the hypest thing to come out of the 90s on fire. The only problem is Charles Barkley is 1000 leagues higher than Michael Jordan, but he doesn't get to be on the front.
Whether you're a child, or a child at heart it's a classic you grew up with, or will grow up with. This generation of kids missed out, big time.
Not so nostalgic for me because I was, I guess, the only one who had never seen Space Jam before. My conclusion: It's harmless fluff and at most, an amusing secret origin for Michael Jordan going back to basketball following his baseball failure. Not that I care about sports, because I don't. Jordan acquits himself well enough, and Wayne Knight (he's alive, guys, I checked) and Bill Murray bring something to it without having to try much. It's the Looney Tunes that are a disappointment, with most of their jokes falling flat, and some very ugly "3D" shading on their drawings. Worse perhaps are the new animated characters stealing screen time from the real stars, like the sexualized girl bunny and the aliens from Moron Mountain, none of which are too memorable (I've already forgotten their names).
Space Jam, is a feast of nostalgic memories and His Airness glorification. But with chafing aliens, lame jokes, and sexual hares aside, it was fun to see the Looney Toons play with MJ.
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Comments 1 - 15 of 16
Counterbalence
Used to be obsessed with this movie. Saw it like a million times, collected stickers and Looney Tune tazos, had a bunch of toys (that broke super easily).Saw it again as an adult, not sure whether it's bad or not. The comedy doesn't quite hold up compared to the classic cartoons, but it's such a weird movie that it just doesn't matter. The best part is how all the humans just accepts everything that happens, no matter how bizarre.
fonz
The moment "I Believe I Can Fly" comes on, a pang of nostalgia erases whatever plot holes I was going to expose through this review. Best biopic ever!mejiaa
my childhood oh my godParavail
Somehow I managed to avoid seeing this as a kid, even though it was absolutely everywhere when I was in 6th grade. Every single kid in my class had Space-Jam stationary, shoes, backpacks etc. I wasn't really into sports or Looney-Toons as a kid, which was why I didn't see it.Watching it as an adult, it really is a movie for kids. There's none of the winking, subversive adult humor common in modern animated films, and a lot of the jokes are obvious and crude. The animation is very impressive, and holds up to this day. It 1996 it must have been nothing short of earth-shattering, which is probably why the movie was so popular back then.
What surprised me was how focused the movie was on Michael Jordan. The film begins with R. Kelly's "I Believe I can Fly" playing unironically as a young Jordan shoots three-pointers. While the movie spends a lot of time ribbing Jordan on his failed baseball career, they treat him like a living god in terms of basketball. There's just a level of hero worship in this movie that I found off-putting. I don't think kids nowadays would like this very much, especially if they don't know who Michael Jordan is.
PatchouliNyaa
How can you not like this movie? It's the hypest thing to come out of the 90s on fire. The only problem is Charles Barkley is 1000 leagues higher than Michael Jordan, but he doesn't get to be on the front.Whether you're a child, or a child at heart it's a classic you grew up with, or will grow up with. This generation of kids missed out, big time.
buc86
I never knew until years later, that bit where he plays baseball at the start of the film REALLY HAPPENED!!!Siskoid
Not so nostalgic for me because I was, I guess, the only one who had never seen Space Jam before. My conclusion: It's harmless fluff and at most, an amusing secret origin for Michael Jordan going back to basketball following his baseball failure. Not that I care about sports, because I don't. Jordan acquits himself well enough, and Wayne Knight (he's alive, guys, I checked) and Bill Murray bring something to it without having to try much. It's the Looney Tunes that are a disappointment, with most of their jokes falling flat, and some very ugly "3D" shading on their drawings. Worse perhaps are the new animated characters stealing screen time from the real stars, like the sexualized girl bunny and the aliens from Moron Mountain, none of which are too memorable (I've already forgotten their names).senorspitler
Space Jam, is a feast of nostalgic memories and His Airness glorification. But with chafing aliens, lame jokes, and sexual hares aside, it was fun to see the Looney Toons play with MJ.reid916
Loved this movie as a kidflamur
hehe a real "nostalgiafest" =Pnaruto-uzumaki
ehhh . . . whatsup doc ?Dieguito
I hope Michael Jordan isn't remembered for this..GetTheFuckOff
loved itTommyVF
Gave me a lot of inspiration back in the day!Armoreska
on Most Checked? What the hell?15 times more checked than Rabbit Fire???
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