A sequel, but not quite as advertised. This story actually owes more to the Terminator flicks than the Michael Jordan...uh...classic? The only 'space' involved here, it turns out, is cyber, and the threat comes not from aliens, but (in theory, at least) from one of our earthly creations. Perhaps this is why film's plot--it's stretching things a bit to call it that--does not entirely meet with expectations. Every time you think it's going to go one way, it goes another--and not necessarily in a good way. As expected, every major sports movie cliche is employed here; it seems
no filmmaker can ever avoid falling into that trap, especially when the aims of the production are, artistically speaking, so low. The production as a whole often feels
like little more than a product placement for various WB IPs--a contribution that no doubt comes from the studio. There's also a major character issue: Bugs here sounds almost nothing like the Mel Blanc characterization. I suppose that's no big deal, given that the bulk of the intended audience was practically born yesterday, and thus doesn't know from, but anyone with a slightly longer memory will notice the discrepancy throughout. All in all, there's not much promising here. So what then is the redeeming value, if any? What's good here mostly it comes, perhaps unexpectedly, perhaps not, from LeBron James. His easy on-screen personality, his willingness to depict himself as flawed, and his respect for his fans in not wanting to disappoint them with a poorly made film, go a long way towards siting this flick's heart into the right place. That helps smooth out some--but not all-- of this outing's rougher edges. The movie certainly works best for children, or those who have no memory of the original Space Jam (which, being honest, was no great shakes itself). Though today's variety is hardly a masterpiece, most average viewers will make it through the length without feeling entirely cheated of their time. Not a win, nor a loss--closer to a tie, however unsatisfying that may feel. 
Sunday, July 18, 2021
Space Jam: A New Legacy
A sequel, but not quite as advertised. This story actually owes more to the Terminator flicks than the Michael Jordan...uh...classic? The only 'space' involved here, it turns out, is cyber, and the threat comes not from aliens, but (in theory, at least) from one of our earthly creations. Perhaps this is why film's plot--it's stretching things a bit to call it that--does not entirely meet with expectations. Every time you think it's going to go one way, it goes another--and not necessarily in a good way. As expected, every major sports movie cliche is employed here; it seems
no filmmaker can ever avoid falling into that trap, especially when the aims of the production are, artistically speaking, so low. The production as a whole often feels
like little more than a product placement for various WB IPs--a contribution that no doubt comes from the studio. There's also a major character issue: Bugs here sounds almost nothing like the Mel Blanc characterization. I suppose that's no big deal, given that the bulk of the intended audience was practically born yesterday, and thus doesn't know from, but anyone with a slightly longer memory will notice the discrepancy throughout. All in all, there's not much promising here. So what then is the redeeming value, if any? What's good here mostly it comes, perhaps unexpectedly, perhaps not, from LeBron James. His easy on-screen personality, his willingness to depict himself as flawed, and his respect for his fans in not wanting to disappoint them with a poorly made film, go a long way towards siting this flick's heart into the right place. That helps smooth out some--but not all-- of this outing's rougher edges. The movie certainly works best for children, or those who have no memory of the original Space Jam (which, being honest, was no great shakes itself). Though today's variety is hardly a masterpiece, most average viewers will make it through the length without feeling entirely cheated of their time. Not a win, nor a loss--closer to a tie, however unsatisfying that may feel. 
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