Space Jam: A New Legacy

[Nick]

*Reads the plot synopsis*

So, I say this as someone who acknowledges the first film as a cult film/guilty pleasure...

Yes, the original's plot wasn't good, but this plot makes the original's downright Oscar-worthy. Wanting someone's Instagram followers is a special kind of stupid plot point.

Also, there's a couple types of films you never try to make a sequel/remake of. Hit Swartzenegger films are one of them, and Cult films are another. You can never predict when a film is gonna' reach cult status, it's a weird perfect storm to create something that audiences are gonna' find appealing. It's something you really can't replicate, let alone -waaayyy- later than when the original came out. (There are rare exceptions, see George Miller and Mad Max as 2 out of 3 after the original ain't a bad track record.)

If it wasn’t for COVID, this film would’ve brought in an insane amount of money this summer though. This was a smart sequel to make. The poor sounding plot is just a writers issue, not IP related.

 

[Clive]

If it wasn’t for COVID, this film would’ve brought in an insane amount of money this summer though. This was a smart sequel to make. The poor sounding plot is just a writers issue, not IP related.

I think what they're getting at is that attempts to recapture the same singular lightning in a bottle is likely doomed to fail. The more I hear about this movie, the more it sounds like a clumsy Warner Bros. "synergy" exercise and less like an actual movie. And sure, Space Jam 1 was a spastic tornado of strange synergistic forces and product placements... but it was also in a time where the thought of seeing multiple franchises mashed up on the big screen was fairly novel. We've already seen Warner Bros. trot out their expanded IP library in Lego Batman.

 

[Nick]

I think what they're getting at is that attempts to recapture the same singular lightning in a bottle is likely doomed to fail. The more I hear about this movie, the more it sounds like a clumsy Warner Bros. "synergy" exercise and less like an actual movie. And sure, Space Jam 1 was a spastic tornado of strange synergistic forces and product placements... but it was also in a time where the thought of seeing multiple franchises mashed up on the big screen was fairly novel. We've already seen Warner Bros. trot out their expanded IP library in Lego Batman.

Well I know one thing's for sure: If it's anything like Tom & Jerry, count me out of all of that BS. I may not even watch it during it's initial run if I hear it's THAT bad.

 

[Legacy]

Well I know one thing's for sure: If it's anything like Tom & Jetty, count me out of all of that BS. I may not even watch it during it's initial run if I hear it's THAT bad.

Don Cheadle voices a character named “Al G Rhythm” who’s an algorithm. Get it?

 

[Nick]

Don Cheadle voices a character named “Al G Rhythm” who’s an algorithm. Get it?

:doh:

 

[OrlandoGuy]

Don Cheadle voices a character named “Al G Rhythm” who’s an algorithm. Get it?

Congrats, you’re too smart for a kids movie

 

[Legacy]

Congrats, you’re too smart for a kids movie

Is that why Pennywise (from IT) is in it?

 

[Tobias]

I think what they're getting at is that attempts to recapture the same singular lightning in a bottle is likely doomed to fail. The more I hear about this movie, the more it sounds like a clumsy Warner Bros. "synergy" exercise and less like an actual movie. And sure, Space Jam 1 was a spastic tornado of strange synergistic forces and product placements... but it was also in a time where the thought of seeing multiple franchises mashed up on the big screen was fairly novel. We've already seen Warner Bros. trot out their expanded IP library in Lego Batman.

Yeah, this is what I was getting at. The 1st Space Jam was a cult hit/lighting in a bottle situation, I really don't think the sequel will be able to recapture what oddly struck a chord with others with the 1st.

Case in point, I'm noticing several friends (who did like the 1st) reacting to the news articles with a serious "I thought this was a joke?". Not the kind of reaction you want for something like this.

 

[Jerroddragon]

I think it wont be good...but mainly because I have not seen a trailer and we are less than 6 months out.

I want it to be good...but feel like we would have seen a trailer if it was going to be not Tom and Jerry.

 

[Disneyhead]

I was 33 when Space Jam came out. I don't remember it being some huge cultural thing. Mostly it just being called a bad Roger Rabbit rip off.

 

[RevFreako]

I was 33 when Space Jam came out. I don't remember it being some huge cultural thing. Mostly it just being called a bad Roger Rabbit rip off.

It was definitely more than that.

 

[Legacy]

I was 33 when Space Jam came out. I don't remember it being some huge cultural thing. Mostly it just being called a bad Roger Rabbit rip off.

I was in 7th grade(?) and that movie was life at my school. It was huge.

 

[Nick]

It was definitely more than that.

If you were a kid when that movie came out (like I was) and also loved Jordan (like most young sports fans did), the movie likely means a lot to you.

And tbh, it still highly resonates with kids (my 12 y/o sister loves it) and it holds up as an enjoyably wacky movie that even adults kind find enjoyment in.

Im very suspect that the sequel will be up to the same caliber and tbh, it’s a bit late in LeBron’s career for this movie imo. It’s a movie that should’ve been made about 5 years ago, if not sooner.

 

[PerceptiveCoot]

I was in 7th grade(?) and that movie was life at my school. It was huge.

I was a wee zygote.

 

[Scott W.]

If you were a kid when that movie came out (like I was) and also loved Jordan (like most young sports fans did), the movie likely means a lot to you.

And tbh, it still highly resonates with kids (my 12 y/o sister loves it) and it holds up as an enjoyably wacky movie that even adults kind find enjoyment in.

Im very suspect that the sequel will be up to the same caliber and tbh, it’s a bit late in LeBron’s career for this movie imo. It’s a movie that should’ve been made about 5 years ago, if not sooner.

It was popular in the U.K. and although everybody knew who Jordan was, nobody knew anything about basketball.

Why is it too late in LeBron’s career?

Edit: Also, that soundtrack was something else.

 

[Tobias]

It should also be noted that the soundtrack to the original is really good. It's held up very well, notwithstanding one particular artist for obvious reasons.

 

[Nick]

It was popular in the U.K. and although everybody knew who Jordan was, nobody knew anything about basketball.

Why is it too late in LeBron’s career?

Edit: Also, that soundtrack was something else.

I mean, it’s fine that they’re doing it now, I just feel like this film should’ve been made years ago.

Also, the first Space Jam was partially as good as it was because it had a real world plot to translate to a movie - Jordan stepping away from Basketball for Baseball and then returning to Basketball. LeBron has nothing like that for them to work with.

 

[Legacy]

I mean, it’s fine that they’re doing it now, I just feel like this film should’ve been made years ago.

Also, the first Space Jam was partially as good as it was because it had a real world plot to translate to a movie - Jordan stepping away from Basketball for Baseball and then returning to Basketball. LeBron has nothing like that for them to work with.

Obviously, Jordan was far more committed to the bit.

 

[Tristan]

It honestly could've been a reboot but they chose to continue the story which is cool when everything is a reboot these days. Y'know I actually have some hope that this will be as good as the original.

I was a wee zygote.

 

[belloq87]

I'm only interested if Bill Murray shows up again.