Film Review – Space Jam: A New Legacy (2021)

When is a sequel not a sequel? When it’s Space Jam: A New Legacy. The title drops a very heavy hint that we’re meant to see this as something entirely separate from 1996’s live action/animation mash-up Space Jam. But it’s really hard not to see it as a sequel/reboot, especially when one of the main characters is less than subtle in pointing out the similarities between the two plotlines.

So let’s play spot the difference. NBA star LeBron James (played by the man himself) is determined both his sons should follow his career path, but the younger one, Dom (Cedric Joe) has a real aptitude for designing video games. When the family visit Warner Brothers’ studios, the boy is sucked into the company’s Serververse, which is run by a rogue form of artificial intelligence, Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle), who turns Dom’s head with all his technical wizardry. But his dad is determined to rescue him and the only way of doing it is to join forces with the Loony Tunes crew for a game of basketball against Rhythm’s team of vicious creations.

The same premise, then. But whether or not you hang the sequel label on the film isn’t its biggest issue. After about ten minutes it’s apparent you’re watching a big screen commercial for Warner Brothers, packed with references to just about anything and everything from its back catalogue – Harry Potter, Game Of Thrones, the lot – and even taking it further by dropping in the occasional other easily recognised global logo. There’s the Loony Tunes characters of course – Bugs, Tweety, Elmer Fud, Porky Pig (who turns out to be a great rapper), Yosemite Sam – most of whom find their way into clips from some of the studio’s best known titles. And when the match actually takes place, the crowd of spectators is made up entirely of easily recognisable characters, from The Mask to Pennywise from IT via Neo from The Matrix. The makers don’t miss a trick when it comes to plugging the brand, and it leaves a slightly iffy taste in your mouth. After all, this is supposed to be entertainment for the family, not a hard sell.

If you can get past that – and it’s a big “if” – there’s some fun to be had from this latest combination of cartoon and live action, most of it courtesy of the Loony Tunes mob. It takes its time in becoming the film you’re hoping for, but when Bugs and co are let loose and allowed to do what they do best – create mayhem and chaos – it comes into its own. That happens during the inevitable big match in the last half hour, so until then it’s a variable experience with plenty of colour and pace, but less in the way of genuine energy. Don Cheadle keeps things moving along, clearly enjoying himself in a slick suit and behaving like a petulant child. There’s one particular cameo which will definitely raise a laugh – and, strangely, is a reference back to the first film (who’d have thought it?). If you look closely, you’ll also spot Minari’s Steven Yeun in an early scene with less than a handful of lines. Why? Who knows!

With the school holidays on the horizon, Space Jam: A New Legacy is among the first of this summer’s crop of family movies and the mix of live action with animation, cartoon favourites with 21^st century technology, is tailor made to appeal to everybody in the family. But it’s uneven when it comes to laughs and action and that dollar sign, even though it’s not physically visible, is never far away. And it’s out of place.

★★ 1/2

Comedy, Animation | Cert: U | Cinemas | Warner Brothers | 16 July 2021  | Dir. Malcolm D Lee | LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Cedric Joe, Khris Davis, Lil Rel Howery.

About the Author

Freda Cooper

Editor

Freda is a Senior Writer at The People's Movies. A lifelong movie fan and a film critic for over ten years, Freda’s natural habitat is the darkened rooms frequented by fellow cineastes. She can also be found asking questions of some of the biggest names in the business – from Cate Blanchett to Daniel Craig or Mike Leigh to Pete Docter – or crafting reviews for a number of sites and publications, including The People’s Movies. And listeners to BBC Local Radio can catch her views on the latest releases. She always – and probably always will – cite The Third Man as her favourite film of all time. Her top ten? That’s a moveable feast …..

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