While the original Space Jam was never a critical darling, it's still considered a 1990s touchstone by the millennials who grew up with it. That's why there was so much interest in a follow-up, and that long-awaited second installment finally arrived 25 years later via Space Jam: A New Legacy. This time around, NBA superstar LeBron James steps into the role Michael Jordan played decades ago, teaming up with Bugs Bunny and the rest of the Looney Tunes. The first Space Jam earned fans' attention by being a zany ride and the hope was this new film would do the same. Space Jam: A New Legacy is a fun family movie bolstered by a good heart and strong visuals that make up for a lack in originality.
In Space Jam: A New Legacy, a fictionalized version of James is struggling to connect with his youngest son Dom (Cedric Joe), who would rather design video games than play basketball. In an attempt to bond with Dom, LeBron brings him to a Warner Bros. pitch meeting for the Warner 3000. An idea conceived by WB's algorithm Al-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle), it would see LeBron become the star of any WB movie imaginable. LeBron rejects the concept, unknowingly angering Al-G. As LeBron and Dom attempt to leave the WB office, Al-G traps the two inside the Warner ServerVerse, challenging LeBron to a basketball game to decide their fate. LeBron has to work with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes in order to save his son.
The relationship between LeBron and Dom serves as Space Jam: A New Legacy's emotional core. While their dynamic follows a fairly predictable trajectory, it still provides the movie with a solid story structure and definitive arcs. The script contains some valuable, if straightforward, messages and lessons - particularly for the parents watching alongside their kids - and has a few heartfelt moments. Of course, Space Jam: A New Legacy also contains plenty of the classic Looney Tunes humor that's made the characters so endearing. The filmmakers were able to strike a proper balance between the family drama and comedy, never taking things too seriously, but also taking the time to establish the stakes.
More mixed is the plethora of WB references peppered throughout Space Jam: A New Legacy. It can be fun to see director Malcolm D. Lee and his team cite everything from Casablanca to The Matrix, but they typically come across as nothing more than just simple nods to other titles in WB's library. Some of the references are far too obvious for adults to fully appreciate, and others won't land with younger viewers. That said, Lee does inject Space Jam: A New Legacy with plenty of visual flair, particularly the climactic basketball game. The third act is quite literally a video game come to life and really pops, even on TV screens for those watching on HBO Max. The villainous Goon Squad, Al-G's team, all have cool designs and different powers that are presented in unique ways. It helps set them apart from Space Jam's Monstars by being more than just big aliens.
James and Joe have nice chemistry with each other, convincingly portraying their characters' father-son relationship. James' job with regards to acting is made easier since he's playing a version of himself, but his performance works well for the purposes of this film. The real standout of the cast is Cheadle as Al-G Rhythm. He takes pure delight in chewing up scenery in a fittingly hammy turn as an over-the-top cartoonish villain, showing off yet another side of his impressive range. The voice actors behind all the Looney Tunes characters also do great work, capturing the familiar spirit and personalities of the animated icons. All in all, everyone involved with Space Jam: A New Legacy knows what kind of movie it's trying to be, and slide into their roles naturally.
Much like its 1990s predecessor, Space Jam: A New Legacy may not go down as one of the most acclaimed family movies ever made, but it still accomplishes its goals of being fun entertainment. Unsurprisingly, basketball fans will find a lot to enjoy (there are numerous jokes alluding to James' extensive NBA career), and those who have fond memories of the original will likely appreciate the hit of nostalgia. Whether Space Jam: A New Legacy is worth seeing in theaters or not is up to the viewer and how comfortable they feel, but those interested should at the very least give it a watch on HBO Max while it's available on the streaming service.
Space Jam: A New Legacy is now playing in U.S. theaters and is streaming on HBO Max. It is 115 minutes long and is rated PG for some cartoon violence and some language.
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