Hello and welcome,
I’m sure I said it before that I am a big Looney Tunes fan, however, I’m not a basketball fan (it’s 2021 and that sentence still sounds like it doesn't belong). All that is to say I’m only half of the adult demographic for the Space Jam franchise. In my younger days I remember watching the 1st Space Jam a lot, but rewatching it now I think it is just okay. With my opinion of the 1st movie, down let’s begin
Background
A Space Jam sequel was in development hell for nearly 20 years. Soon after the 1st movie was released, development on a sequel began, and oh but you're going to love this one, the producers literally lied to the studio by saying that Michael Jordan was already on board so that they could continue the work. When WB found out that they were being lied to (I would have hated to be in the same room when they found out), WB Stopped production so they could negotiate with Jordan. But no dice. After that, they were going to do the Air Bud route by just making the same movie but with a different athlete and sport, and they had multiple variations of these in development. One of these was with Tiger Woods (Golf and Looney Tunes sounds surprisingly boring) and one starring Jackie Chan Called Spy Jam which eventually became Looney Tunes: Back in Action. Finally, in 2014 LeBron James signed and the sequel was moved forward. And the rest is history.
Plot
Basketball champion LeBron James (himself) wishes for both of his sons, Darius and Dom, to follow in his footsteps. But Dom (Cedric Joe) dreams of becoming a video game developer. LeBron is invited with his family to the Warner Bros. studio to become a movie star, but LeBron dismisses the idea while Dom shows an interest in the studio's software, particularly its A.I., Al-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle). Al-G lures the two to the basement and traps them inside a server where he takes Dom prisoner and orders LeBron to assemble a basketball team made from WB IP and challenges him to a game in a day's time. Telling him that he will only be released if he wins, he sends him through virtual space where he lands in Tune World where meets Bugs Bunny (Jeff Bergman).
Opinion
The studio basically did the Air Bud route with the same sport but a different athlete. Although it is not a direct copy, it is still pretty similar. The differences are how everything takes place in a server (which does make more sense than the Looney Tunes living underground) and the relationship between Lebron and his son, but that is just a generic father-son plot. (On a side note, that plot makes LeBron look egotistical). The parts with the Looney Tunes are well done and funny but nowhere near the original shorts. My biggest problem with the Looney Tunes in this movie is actually the texture. The CGI animation itself is fine but the texture makes them look too realistic and seeing them with actual fur makes them look off and unsettling. However, in most of the movie you see them in traditional hand-drawn animation which looks great. As far as the countless cameos of other Warne Bros. IP it is fan-service for the sake of fan service. The acting is pretty solid and LeBron James is a better actor than Michael Jordan. Overall, I have to give it 3 out of 5 stars. It was, in my opinion, a little weaker than the first movie, but ironically my rating ends up being the same. I can think of a whole lot more things that I would rather see the Looney Tunes do than simply play a basketball game.
GOO GOO, That's All Folks!
Mr.Bee
