Space Oddity: Michael Jordan and a Loony mess

This is a movie review for my journalism class. Since its relevant I figure why not post it up.

Come on and slam and welcome to the jam! Really..

Not all films are to be taken seriously. Warner Brothers “Space Jam” starring the great Michael Jordan is a prime example. Jordan collaborates with the Looney Tunes in a collision of realities to battle for the Tunes’ freedom in a game of basketball.

There is no plot line in the film. Essentially it is one big plot hole. Yet there is enough crappy CGI to keep viewers under the age of fourteen entertained and viewers over to angrily shake their heads; yet willingly continue to watch it.  The only real difference between the viewers and their age is that if you are younger, well it is socially acceptable to watch such a bad movie. If not, you should be condemned but something keeps you watching it.

Clearly Jordan will win the tipoff over an 11 foot ogre.

Aside from the half assed plot and the Crayola CGI, the movie has a lot to offer. It’s a pop culture smorgasbord citing the NBA and The Looney Tunes. Basketball greats Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing make great cameos in the movie, proving that they are more than just generals on the court. Even the comedic legend Bill Murray makes a guest appearance on the court. And like all Bill Murray cameos, he makes the movie that more laughable and watchable. 

The Looney Tunes really help boost the viewer’s attention. This is what keeps us seated without question. The older audience felt young and stupid again. For an hour and a half it was ok to laugh at fart noises, slapstick humor and those signature voices. Maturity is lost in viewing this movie and it was one of those excuses for the older audience to lighten up.

Jordan and co

Although, after viewing the movie and not thinking too deeply about it. Thought comes into mind after watching it again and what the movie is really about. Sad but true, the movie is really about the NBA trying to expand its audience and making larger amounts of money than it already does. With the use of basketball’s poster boy and arguably the most famous cartoon of all time equates to an unstoppable force of commerce. Every kid was rocking the Jordan XI’s, space jam uniforms and drinking out of space jam cups. For a solid period of time, the world was Space Jammed by The NBA and Warner Brothers.  According to Roger Ebert, “It's an inspired way to use, and kid, Jordan's image while at the same time updating Bugs Bunny & Company to doing battle in the multizillion-dollar animation sweepstakes.” That is about as accurate of a statement you can read in regards towards the movie.Symbolism plays a huge role through character undertones. Several of the characters represent business and greed.  Mister Swackhammer, the main protagonist symbolizes what a corrupt businessman looks like. Thick, heavy set man with a deep rugged voice and a never-ending cigar in his mouth. Could this represent NBA commissioner David Stern or the head of Disney and Warner Brothers? You can even put MJ into this debate. Behind that Adonis build and friendly smile lies dollar signs in his eyeballs. The thought of raining money through endorsements, contracts and commercials wasn’t enough for Michael, he had to make a movie too and no matter how terrible it would be, he knew that this was business and that would make him the Rothschild of sports.

Last but not least, the poster boy is really the definition of the movie. Michael Jordan is one of the greatest athletes of all time and the greatest basketball player that ever walked on this earth. Jordan probably agreed to do this movie to bolster up his already narcissistic view on himself. Like what James Berardinelli said on his review, “This movie, which could just as easily be called The Michael Jordan Worship Show, plays like a 90-minute homage to His Airness, selling his every virtue. By the end of this picture, Jordan, whose status as a pop icon has never been in dispute, has been elevated to the level of a demi-god.” This movie boosts Jordan’s status to folklore.

Overall, being a real big movie buff I give this movie a five out of ten. The reason being is that it is cheap fun. This movie is not one worth questioning the plot holes or the means behind the characters motives. You must approach it with no brain, severe ADD and the willingness to laugh at the stupidity of it all. Get behind the five dollar CGI and the Razzie nominated acting and it wont turn out to be too terrible of an experience for you. If you are entering the movie theater thinking you are going to see some sort of epic of epic epicness, take your ticket, rip it up and eat it. Go see this movie with no expectations and you’ll leave somewhat satisfied.