Don't call it a comeback: Space Jam: A New Legacy "jams" its way into our hearts
IMAGE COURTESY WARNER BROS. PICTURES
By Tom Hanks
Don’t call it a comeback.
The team behind Space Jam: A New Legacy has managed to pull off the impossible, by taking two icons – LeBron James, the basketball player of a generation and the Looney Tunes, a timeless, hilarious and unforgettable set of characters – and created a film equally timeless and hilarious.
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee (Girls Trip), A New Legacy is the long awaited sequel to the 1996 hit Space Jam, which starred iconic basketball player Michael Jordan – as himself – as he was forced to play a basketball game pitted against a group of aliens in order to free his friends.
But don’t let the title fool you. This isn’t the Space Jam you grew up with.
As Jordan did 25 years earlier, King James stars as a fictionalized version of himself – but the plot does not revolve around his retirement, but the relationship with his child, played by Cedric Joe (Women of the Movement).
The film then turns into a walking advertisement for Warner Bros.’ vast library as James visits Warner Bros. Studios – where Al G. Rhythm, played by Don Cheadle (Avengers: Endgame) has a plan: lure King James into the studio, gain control of him and ultimately command his followers on social media. Yes, you read that correctly.
Al G. prevails – and King James is lured into Warner Bros.’ “server-verse” which depicts the best of Warner Bros.’ many properties. James is later forced into the toughest basketball game he has ever played – for his life and for that of his own son.
Like the 1996 soundtrack which made heavy use of popular music by artists such as R. Kelly, Busta Rhymes and D’Angelo, the film’s soundtrack contains songs from today’s heavy hitters such as Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, 24kGoldn, Saweetie, Brockhampton, The Jonas Brothers, Lil Wayne and gospel titan Kirk Franklin.
The film marks the return of the beloved Looney Tunes characters to the silver screen after the 2003 film Looney Tunes: Back in Action.
A New Legacy hits theaters and HBO Max July 16.