‘Space Jam’ is Fun Entertainment

‘Space Jam’ is Fun Entertainment

In 1996, the Looney Tunes and NBA superstar Michael Jordan teamed up for “Space Jam.” Even though the movie got a mixed reaction from critics when it was first released, it became quite popular and became a big hit. Now, time to take the kiddos down to the Dietrich and check out “Space Jam'' (still popular after all these years).

In the Warner Brothers presentation of “Space Jam,” Swackhammer, an evil alien theme park owner, needs a new attraction at Moron Mountain. When his gang, the Nerdlucks, heads to Earth to kidnap Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes, Bugs challenges them to a basketball game to determine their fate.

The aliens agree, but they steal the powers of NBA basketball players, including Larry Bird and Charles Barkley - so Bugs gets some help from superstar Michael Jordan.

“Space Jam” is an entertaining and funny movie that everyone, young and old, will really enjoy. For some people, the movie could be quite nostalgic since many people have grown up watching this movie since they were younger. It’s hard to believe that this entertaining movie has been around for a little over twenty years and has gained quite a following over time.

The live-action/animated movie has many amusing moments and it’s a guaranteed good time with the family! “Space Jam” also has a memorable soundtrack that features quite a few songs that were very popular when the movie was initially released. In fact, this movie has gained such a following that a long-awaited sequel is on the way - more on that in a little bit.

The cast: Michael Jordan as himself, Wayne Knight (Kung Fu Panda 3) as Stan Podolak, Theresa Randle (Bad Boys for Life) as Juanita Jordan, Thom Barry (Texas Chainsaw) as James Jordan, Billy West (Scoob!) as Bugs Bunny/Elmer Fudd, Dee Bradley Baker (American Dad) as Daffy Duck/Tazmanian Devil, and Danny DeVito (Jumanji: The Next Level) as Swackhammer, along with basketball players Larry Johnson, Charles Barkley, Mugsy Bogues, Patrick Ewing, Larry Bird and actor Bill Murray as themselves and numerous other voice actors.

“Space Jam'' is written by Leo Benvenuiti (Kicking & Screaming), Steve Rudnick (Kicking & Screaming), Timothy Harris (Astro Boy) and Herschel Weingard and directed by Joe Pytka.

The concept for this movie originated from a series of highly popular Nike ads in the early 90s where Bugs and Jordan faced off against Marvin the Martian and his alien henchman in basketball. Bill Murray accepted a role in this movie after expressing regret at missing out on the chance to star in another animated/live-action feature, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit.”

Production of “Space Jam” totaled around 19 months, with filming taking up to ten of them. Jordan filmed in a 260-degree green-screen room with motion trackers, playing and acting alongside NBA players and improv actors around him serving as placement identifiers for the animated characters.

A sequel to “Space Jam” has been in some sort of development stage since 1997. In February 2014, Warner Brothers officially announced development of a sequel that will be produced by and starring NBA player LeBron James. Now titled “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” the sequel is currently slated for a July 16, 2021 release.

“Space Jam” was initially released on November 15, 1996. During its theatrical run, the movie earned $90 million domestically and $230 million worldwide.

“Space Jam” is rated PG for some mild cartoon language and has a running time of 88 minutes.