Space Jam
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With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.
What critics thought
Critics in 1996 were broadly split between those who found it cheerful, harmless family entertainment and those who saw it as a cynical commercial exercise; the harshest complaints centered not on Jordan but on what the film did to the Looney Tunes characters, stripping them of their anarchic edge and turning them into mascots. Audiences, especially children, responded more warmly than critics, and that gap between popular affection and critical skepticism has only widened with time.
“Space Jam is a happy marriage of good ideas—three films for the price of one, giving us a comic treatment of the career adventures of Michael Jordan, crossed with a Looney Tunes cartoon and some showbiz warfare. ... the result is delightful, a family movie in the best sense (which means the adults will enjoy it, too).”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“we don't get the co-stars' best stuff. Michael doesn't soar enough. The Looney Tunes don't pulverize us the way they did when Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng or Bob Clampett were in charge.”
Michael Wilmington·Chicago Tribune
“Technical spectacle amounts to nothing without a good story.”
Margaret A. McGurk·The Cincinnati Enquirer
“cynical attempt to cash in on the popularity of Warner Bros. cartoon characters and basketball player Michael Jordan, inspired by a Nike commercial.”
TV Guide
“It's broadly funny in spots but without any edge. It'll make kids giggle, but it makes a minuscule effort to appeal to adults.”
Lawrence Toppman·The Spokesman-Review
Genres
Family, Animation, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy
Cast & Crew
Joe PytkaDirector
Michael JordanMichael Jordan
Wayne KnightStan Podolak
Theresa RandleJuanita Jordan
Manner WashingtonJeffery Jordan
Eric GordonMarcus Jordan
Penny Bae BridgesJasmine Jordan
Brandon HammondMichael Jordan (10 Years Old)
Larry BirdLarry Bird
Bill MurrayBill Murray
Thom BarryJames Jordan
Charles BarkleyCharles Barkley
Patrick EwingPatrick Ewing
James Newton HowardComposer
Leo BenvenutiWriter
Michael ChapmanCinematographySpace Jam
With their freedom on the line, the Looney Tunes seek the help of NBA superstar Michael Jordan to win a basketball game against a team of moronic aliens.
What critics thought
Critics in 1996 were broadly split between those who found it cheerful, harmless family entertainment and those who saw it as a cynical commercial exercise; the harshest complaints centered not on Jordan but on what the film did to the Looney Tunes characters, stripping them of their anarchic edge and turning them into mascots. Audiences, especially children, responded more warmly than critics, and that gap between popular affection and critical skepticism has only widened with time.
“Space Jam is a happy marriage of good ideas—three films for the price of one, giving us a comic treatment of the career adventures of Michael Jordan, crossed with a Looney Tunes cartoon and some showbiz warfare. ... the result is delightful, a family movie in the best sense (which means the adults will enjoy it, too).”
Roger Ebert·Chicago Sun-Times
“we don't get the co-stars' best stuff. Michael doesn't soar enough. The Looney Tunes don't pulverize us the way they did when Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng or Bob Clampett were in charge.”
Michael Wilmington·Chicago Tribune
“Technical spectacle amounts to nothing without a good story.”
Margaret A. McGurk·The Cincinnati Enquirer
“cynical attempt to cash in on the popularity of Warner Bros. cartoon characters and basketball player Michael Jordan, inspired by a Nike commercial.”
TV Guide
“It's broadly funny in spots but without any edge. It'll make kids giggle, but it makes a minuscule effort to appeal to adults.”
Lawrence Toppman·The Spokesman-Review
Genres
Family, Animation, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Comedy
Cast & Crew
Joe PytkaDirectorMichael JordanMichael JordanWayne KnightStan PodolakTheresa RandleJuanita JordanManner WashingtonJeffery JordanEric GordonMarcus JordanPenny Bae BridgesJasmine JordanBrandon HammondMichael Jordan (10 Years Old)Larry BirdLarry BirdBill MurrayBill MurrayThom BarryJames JordanCharles BarkleyCharles BarkleyPatrick EwingPatrick EwingJames Newton HowardComposerLeo BenvenutiWriterMichael ChapmanCinematographyStream
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