Space Jam

Cast: Michael Jordan, Bugs Bunny, Wayne Knight, Larry Bird, Bill Murray, Charles Barkley and Danny Devito.

Director: Joe Pytka

Release Date: 1996

Genre: Family/Comedy

Running Time: 1hr 28 minutes

Rating: PG

Synopsis:

Swackhammer (Danny Devito), is looking for new attractions on Moron Mountain. He soon decides that the Looney Tunes characters would be perfect. Swackhammer uses his underlings to bring them to him. Once kidnapped Bugs Bunny convinces them to play a match of basketball against the underlings to determine whether they should stay on Moron Mountain or not. Bugs obviously needs some help so tracks down famous basketball star Michael Jordan for some help! Do the the underling aliens have ideas of their own though for help with their big game?

Who came up with the genius idea to put Michael Jordan and The Looney Tunes in a movie together? Director Joe Pytka. In my humble opinion the only movie still to this day to truly pull off reality and animation at the same time together perfectly. Joe Dante's "Looney Tunes: Back in Action" was entertaining but nowhere near up to the standards of this film. Rumour has it they are making a sequel? Michael Jordan has decided to put an end to his basketball career after his father dies and takes his chances with baseball, however it doesn't exactly go to plan. Up on Moran Mountain Swackhammer (Devito) is looking for new attractions when he comes up with the brilliant idea to steal the powers of famous basketball players for his aliens to inhabit. Michael Jordan must help win a game of basketball between said aliens and The Looney Tunes to get his friends basketball skills back.

I know the storyline sounds a little daft, but just hear me out for a minute okay? At the time this was highly entertaining and still is if your a fan. The idea of Michael Jordan going into Looney Tune land does sound a bit stupid I know, but trust me when I tell you there is something so awesome about it as well. Michael Jordan delivers a very good performance, his acting isn't amazing but for someone that wouldn't normally do it, it's really very good. Especially considering the vast majority of the movie he is in fact talking to nothing or or no one. The beauty of animation ah? The cinematography is great I love the transition between real life and animation, it's clean, it's sharp and it looks really really good! Clearly working with animation and real life at the time was trending, as "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" had been released six years prior and "Casper" was also in the works at the time.

Danny Devito is an actor that over the years has always surprised me with his performances, he's an incredibly funny man but at the same time he can be absolutely terrifying, his characterization in "Matilda" for example is fantastic, imagine Harry Wormwood in animation form and that is what you've got with this film. He's really great, he brings fantastic presence to his role as Swackhammer. What a name. Generally sounds like it should be part of something inside your tool box. There are so many wonderful moments in this movie that will have you chuckling away, Daffy Duck is a fantastic character, he's hilarious and doesn't seem to fit in anywhere, Bugs Bunny steals the show, this time he has a lady friend too, Lola.

The best thing is most certainly the soundtrack, it's really entertaining and works alongside the storyline brilliantly. It just works perfectly. It's entertaining and fun with hit names Seal, Quad City DJ's, Monica, James Newton Howard and R Kelly. Easily one of the most entertaining movies of the mid 90's, it's easy watching, it's perfect for children, you'll probably find yourself enjoying it too mum's and dad's! One of those movies you can have on in the background that you can still follow and understand! An absolute must have!

5/5 stars