Space Jam: A New Legacy

Like many films aimed at kids, Space Jam: A New Legacy is weird. Granted, the original film was also weird, and A New Legacy simply builds on that.

Some of those who grew up watching Space Jam and hold a deep nostalgia for it now have their own wee ones to share it with (and if you’ve never seen it or just want a refresher you can currently find it streaming on HBO Max). Unlike many other remakes or sequels, A New Legacy works well because it doesn’t try to reinvent what made the first film so special. It’s just as quirky and fun as its predecessor, it just has a more modern approach.

A New Legacy has a similar plot to Space Jam, with some notable updates. Instead of aliens attempting to capture the Looney Tunes and Bugs Bunny seeking the help of NBA star Michael Jordan to win a basketball game, NBA star LeBron James seeks the help of Bugs Bunny and the Looney Tunes to win a basketball game. Just as in the original, the basketball game comes with high stakes: if the Toon Squad loses against the Goon Squad, James will lose his son and the Looney Tunes will be gone forever. This time, however, the main villain is an A.I. (an interesting commentary on just how much screens control us) and the basketball game is now a fancy-schmancy video game.

The Looney Tunes continue to be their happy, goofy, cartoony selves, setting off ACME cannons, painting fake tunnels, and generally wrecking havoc. Their timeless antics will still make children laugh and parents smile. Some of the characters are given far more agency in A New Legacy. One standout is Lola Bunny who, besides James, is the best player on the court and a solid team player. Even Porky Pig gets a moment to shine in a strange rap battle that should make kids laugh (but may confuse adults).

A New Legacy’s weirdness lies in just how many WB properties are referenced throughout the film. While some properties like Batman and Harry Potter are very recognizable to kids (we learn that James is a Hufflepuff), others seem targeted towards adults or just randomly thrown in, like Game of Thrones and Casablanca (which, to be fair, has been parodied in Warner Bros. cartoons since its original release in the 1940s). It’s fun to see some of the Looney Tunes inserted into these classic movies, but the more modern references land a little better, like Lola Bunny working through the obstacle course in Wonder Woman.

Adults or young adults who do not have children may or may not enjoy A New Legacy, depending on how much nostalgia they hold for the original. They may not gravitate towards this update that heavily features the internet and incorporates video games. For those who thought the original was a fun movie, A New Legacy continues in that tradition. There are as many fun jokes and heartwarming moments as the original.