Michael Jordan’s ‘Space Jam’ Hits Netflix in February

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Get your laces tied on your basketball shoes (be it Nike or any other brand), and start perfecting your jump shot as Space Jam, the 1996 classic featuring Michael Jordan and Looney Tunes, is coming to Netflix soon. Originally released during Michael Jordan’s peak fame, while he was leading the Chicago Bulls on their six NBA Championship run from 1991 to 1998 (as depicted in Netflix’s The Last Dance docuseries), Space Jam saw him not only adding another championship ring to his collection but also rescuing the Looney Tunes from intergalactic enslavement – a feat only possible in a fun and quirky ’90s movie… through basketball.

On February 1st, Space Jam makes its debut on Netflix. In this story, after deciding to focus on baseball instead of basketball, Michael Jordan (portrayed by himself) is unexpectedly kidnapped by the Looney Tunes. These cartoon characters are in trouble because a group of aliens have taken over their world and plan to enslave them. Instead of resorting to physical fights, Michael Jordan engages the aliens in a game of basketball, with the fate of the Looney Tunes hanging in the balance. The plot summary goes:

Following his retirement, Michael Jordan is kidnapped by Bugs Bunny and his Looney Tunes pals. They request him to participate in a game with the intention of defeating the Nerdlucks, an extraterrestrial gang headed by Swackhammer.

Space Jam, a movie that brought together the worlds of basketball and cartoons, was helmed by director Joe Pytka (known for Let It Ride). This cinematic extravaganza showcased some top-tier NBA talent, such as Larry Bird and Charles Barkley. In addition to these sports stars, Bill Murray, Wayne Knight, and Danny DeVito (lending his voice) graced the film. The villainous Swackhammer was voiced by none other than Danny DeVito. Upon its release, Space Jam became a box office sensation. The powerful allure of Michael Jordan’s fame and the beloved Looney Tunes intellectual property contributed to the movie earning a whopping $250 million globally.

‘Space Jam’ Was Misunderstood By Critics

In 1996, when Space Jam first came out, it didn’t receive favorable reviews from most critics. Many criticized it as a blatant advertisement for sneakers, which was indeed a significant aspect of the movie. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a divided rating of 44% among critics, but a higher audience score of 63%. Since the film was released decades ago, many of the critical reviews come from recent reevaluations on its 25th anniversary.

However, should you choose to peruse the unfavorable critiques, remember this crucial point: they’re utterly misguided. The movie Space Jam, in my humble opinion, is a cinematic tour de force that would bring tears of admiration to Orson Welles and have Martin Scorsese leaping for joy, proclaiming “This is cinema!” Indeed, Roger Ebert, the undisputed king of film criticism, demonstrated his genius when he bestowed a score of 3.5/4 upon it in his 1996 review, praising it as “a harmonious union of brilliant ideas.” His review goes on to say:

You get a trio of movies at once, blending humor, depicting the professional journey of Michael Jordan, intertwined with the whimsical style of Looney Tunes animation and elements of backstage competition.

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2025-01-29 15:31