REVIEW: SPACE JAM - A NEW LEGACY

 

4/5

Welcome Back To The Space Jam.

115 Mins. Starring: LeBron James, Bugs Bunny, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, Cedric Joe, Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza, Nneka Ogwumike, Diana Taurasi, Damian Lillard, Anthony Davis & Zendaya. Director: Malcolm D. Lee. 

Fly like an eagle once again, but this time on the wings of a King. You don't have to believe anymore. 'Space Jam's' 'New Legacy' hits 'em high for your Basketball Jones. Even if critics are calling this like Skip Bayless. Trust me, they hated the first cult classic and when it comes to kid movies and fun for the whole family, you don't have to go off the opinions of old, balding white men. So ladies and gentlemen, here's my review. 'Space Jam-A New Legacy' is a slam dunk of funk and fun. Passing 'Black Widow' in the box office top ten like James does NBA greats in the record books on a weekly basis. Or one better, even like a signature alley from Dwayne with a wink to the way of Wade. Haters will scoff at the meta line about basketball stars playing around with acting. But they really don't get it. And did they forget about Los Angeles Lakers, Hollywood royalty stealing the show from his two A-list teammates, comedy gold greats Amy Schumer and Bill Hader (who couldn't back him down) like Alex Caruso (had to get the GOAT in here somehow)? This sophomore sour pusses want to slump is far from a 'Trainwreck'. Now sure, if you put this 'New Legacy' up against the outstanding original 'Space Jam' then just like the GOAT debate between LeBron James and Michael Jordan (when it comes to a Larry Bird like big God disguised cameo you'll be screaming, "is this your King", or MJ), there really is no contest in this 'Last Dance'. Although one thing 'Bron does beat MJ at is the ace acting (although we can't get over Mike's, "baldy" reaction). This is our jam. No matter who claims it as space junk. They say it's a commercial cash grab flaunting Warner Bros works. I say this 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit' franchise updated with a 3D, CG digital 'Ready Player One' upgrade for the livestream age is a celebration of cinema. Just like when from board to video game, the 'Jumanji' reboot took it to the next level. If that aforementioned adaptation was a epic Easter Egg hunt, then why isn't this? The only crime here is that they didn't ask for Bill Murray's assistance (or Wayne Knight...he can take a charge like he can Dilophosaurus spit). Or perhaps he turned them down in order of another 'Garfield'. 

This cat can ball man like the King playing Prince. Word to the late, great Charlie Murphy for this Hollywood story as funny as Chappelle (and how about that "game...blouses" reference?). Flipping the script, this time the basketball star needs Bugs' help to win a high-stakes game against the Al G algorithm of War Machine Avenger Don Cheadle with a digitized voice box (think Jamie Foxx as Electro in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2') who is a real Marvel. The player who once played 'The GOAT', Earl Manigault, having fabulous fun with HBO, taking it to the Max this month after 'No Sudden Move' with Benicio del Toro and Steven Soderbergh for the best 'Traffic' of his thespian and blockbuster career. Side-kicked by the cute Microsoft pop-up paper-clip like assistant (remember how annoying that was my King aged millennials?) that looks like it took a wrong turn down the rabbit hole from Foxx's Pixar 'Soul'. Those hulking Monstars are gone. The powers given back to NBA legends Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Larry 'Grandmama' Johnson, Muggsy Bogues and...erm...Shawn Bradley (I didn't see him touch that ball again). This time the Goon Squad that faces off against the tuned up Tune Squad in a vibrant vibe of a new jersey like the Basquiat Brooklyn Nets down the Subway features some of basketballs best in a fantasy league of their own fits. Sister Spark from Los Angeles Nneka Ogwumike makes the team, even if they want to criminally leave her off the Olympic or All Star one. GOAT Diana Taurasi as the 'White Mamba' like the late, great Kobe dubbed her. The Splash Brother Klay Thompson a literal Human Torch with added fireman buckets. The Dame Time of Damian Lillard as actual clockwork. And even LeBron's Laker champion teammate Anthony Davis flying like an eagle with the seal of his trademark unibrow. Add the motion capture of Harlem Globetrotter Tammy Brawner as Bugs Bunny for all the carrots and this tells you all you need to know. Get her Globies a seat at the NBA table, for this iconic team like the Looney Tunes that has the world on a string like the ball. I thought I even saw a Jared Dudley, but it turned out to be Elmer Fudd in a headband. 

"What in 'The Matrix' hell" is this? LeBron dodging bullets like balls. Donning a Rodman like hairstyle as a 'Mad Max' mohawk. Playing it again Sam like an instant replay in a 'Casablanca' suit. Classic! From the Night King's of 'Game Of Thrones' to the wizarding world of Harry Potter (yes, the King is a Hufflepuff) all of Warners brothers and sisters get to come out to play with the Iron Giant and King Kong watching courtside (put them in, coach). From Flinstones to Gremlins. Mystery Machines and Batmobiles. Even 'The Mandalorian' star Rosario Dawson gets to reprise her vocal 'Wonder Woman' role for the eden of this amazon. One amazing animated moment sees the carrot and the crown, Bugs and 'Bron play Batman and Robin like Dr. Dre and Eminem in a "holy above the rim like NBA Jam, 'Bronman" moment in a DC Universe. We could roll call more, but then we would spoil all this show has in store from all Bugs boys have in their draw in rival relation to Mickey's Disney that used to play like SEGA vs Nintendo. All before the Magic Kingdom left the Roadrunner in their dust like Super Mario did Sonic in a classic hare vs the tortoise fable. No need to clutch your lucky rabbits foot however as the gangs all here, back in action. Many voiced by the legendary Jeff Bergman or Eric Bauza. From Daffy Duck's playing coach with enough lisping sideline saliva to slick back Miami Heat legendary leader Pat Riley's signature styled Brylcreem Barnet, to the plays he calls to shoot the ball for the films funniest moment. To a more real and relevant Lola Bunny stealing the show once again like an errant pass. This time with more meaning played by MJ (Spider-Man's MJ) and 'The Greatest Showman' Zendaya. This is her. And this is how Lola Bunny should be. Add Sylvester spitting out a Tweetie Pie that's with you when you get dunked on and this team is complete like Porky Pig's last line. Or the lyrics to go that he has here. Stuttering and notoriously mic dropping a rap battle that turns this hardwood 8 miles long. Chickens, martians and things hairier than bears (oh my) join the lion King. And let's not forget a speedy mouse running the break, or a Grandma that could even dunk on the legend of Larry Johnson ("Whoa!"), even if she does like a Bond martini at halftime before she shakes things up. You'll have a devil of a time watching this like Taz. Like all the humans joining in on this suitable for all gathering that even makes 'The Wizard Of Oz's' Dorothy feel at home. Tap your red sneakers together. Amongst so many classic cameos from real TNT to 'Uncle Drew' teammates that we won't halftime report we have a star of the future like Bronny James in Cedric Joe giving us a preview of history in the making of parent and son holding court together in a beautiful fathertime moment. I'm not crying, 'Bron's crying. Add a childhood best friend in Khris Davis like a hilarious Maverick Carter for this shop and the 'Discovery' of this next gen 'Star Trek' star Sonequa Martin-Green as Mrs. James offering more motivation courtside than a coach and this family connection calls plays 'Fast and Furious' like Vin Diesel, Dom. All so all in all, hands in, 'The Best Man', 'Girls Trip' and 'Night School' director Malcolm D. Lee can run a picket fence with 'Black Panther' and 'Creed' producer Ryan Coogler that goes old school on everyone's butt for this standalone sequel that stands on its own two Nikes. And what a signature set fit for a King. After all these years and rumoured Tiger Woods or Tony Hawk ('Skate Jam'?) sport 'Space' sequels we know who the throne belongs to. The Chosen One posterizes this stunning sequel. Crowning it in 23 carrot gold. Jordan to James. This 'Space Jam' 'Legacy' is legend. Th-th-th-that's all folks! TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Space Jam (1996)', 'Who Framed Roger Rabbit?', 'Ready Player One.'