3 out of 5 stars (average)
Space Jam: A New Legacy is a really fun family movie. Based on my audience, kids are going to go nuts for the slapstick antics of Bugs Bunny and friends, and grown Space Jam fans will have a blast too. It takes 20 minutes to rev up and the attempted emotional core is forced, but to me, it’s an entertaining sequel. Space Jam: A New Legacy begins on shaky ground, but becomes a fun, largely family-friendly romp once the Tunes appear.
NBA superstar LeBron James (played and voiced by himself) has a strained relationship with his video-game-loving son Dom (newcomer Cedric Joe). The two get absorbed into a digital universe by the sentient A.I. Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle turned up to 11) who wants to beat LeBron in a basketball game streamed to all of his social media followers (yes really). Sent to Tune World, LeBron recruits Bugs, Daffy, and the gang for an epic showdown while becoming a better man and father.
Ironically like some basketball teams, Space Jam: A New Legacy starts off bad, but improves as the game (film) progresses. LeBron James is a decent voice actor (he’s a cartoon for act 2), but is clearly uncomfortable interacting with other real actors and green screens. The kids in my audience were restless during the live-action scenes, but enjoyed the Tune antics, while I and the other adults dug the film references that flew over their heads. The hand-drawn animation is gorgeous and energetic, and Don Cheadle is totally unhinged. The final 3rd overstays its welcome and has several shots of film characters from non-family-friendly movies, but kids will be mesmerized by the wackiness onscreen. Space Jam: A New Legacy is a worthy follow-up that should satisfy longtime fans and entertain the new generation. See Space Jam: A New Legacy.
Rated PG for Some Cartoon Violence and Some Language