Space Jam (PG)

Live-action/animation mix is good fun for kids.

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Common Sense rates it
3
Seen the movie? Review it
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Movie details
  • Studio: Warner Bros.
  • Directed By: Joe Pytka
  • Cast: Wayne Knight, Michael Jordan
  • Running Time: 88 minutes
  • Release Date: 11/15/1996
  • Video/DVD Release Date: 10/28/2003
  • Genre: Family and Kids
  • MPAA Rating: PG
  • MPAA Explanation: some mild cartoon violence

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has some cartoon violence. The film is likely to impress younger viewers, especially those without any sentimental attachment to the original Looney Tunes cartoons. The characters assemble a basketball team, including Michael Jordan as a member, to defeat a group of aliens who want to enslave them. By standing up against their potential slave masters, the Tunes' efforts are admirable, so the overall message is fairly positive. Jokes about merchandising and Jordan's ill-fated baseball career are thrown in for the older folks, but ultimately, this film will likely fail to hold the attention of many people over the age of 12.

Families can talk about whether or not they think the blending of animation and live-action works or not. Would this movie have been better as a completely animated feature?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Jokes about merchandising.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A special liquid formula is given to the Looney Tunes to increase their basketball skills, but it is shown to really be water having only a placebo effect.

Violence

Cartoon violence.

Sex

Language

Mild.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by David Gurney

Made shortly after Michael Jordan's first retirement from basketball and his short foray into professional baseball, SPACE JAM marks an attempt to revive the Looney Tunes franchise by creating a big budget live-action/animation feature riding on the basketball superstar's coattails. Bugs, Porky, Tweety, and other favorite Looney Tune characters assemble a basketball team, including Michael Jordan as a member, to defeat a group of aliens, the Nerdlucks, who are trying to enslave the Tunes as attractions in their outer space theme park.

Is it any good?

3
Space Jam does little to revive the Looney Tunes characters, who pretty much stick to their tried and true (and violent) antics, albeit in a new setting. As for Michael, his athletic prowess need not be proven, but the mix of animation in the basketball sequences tends to trivialize his abilities. With cartoon characters bouncing around every which way and easily slam dunking the ball, Michael's acrobatics seem minor in comparison.

While the film fails on many counts to best utilize the characters at its disposal, it's still likely to impress younger viewers, especially those without any sentimental attachment to the original Looney Tunes cartoons. By standing up against their potential slave masters, the Tunes' efforts are admirable, so the overall message is fairly positive. Jokes about merchandising and Jordan's ill-fated baseball career are thrown in for the older folks, but ultimately, this film will likely fail to hold the attention of many people over the age of 12.

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Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 03/10/07 by Lianny92 Kid contributor, age 14

It was awesome!!

One of the best cartoon movie ever created!! I laughed a lot!! It's pretty much good for kids all ages!! I love it, it was a really good movie. I've seen it about 8 times already!
5


Posted on 03/01/06 by hi123 Kid contributor, age 10

Adult Reviews

There are 0 reviews.

There are no adult reviews.

Kids Reviews

There are 2 reviews.

5


Posted on 03/10/07 by Lianny92 Kid contributor, age 14

It was awesome!!

One of the best cartoon movie ever created!! I laughed a lot!! It's pretty much good for kids all ages!! I love it, it was a really good movie. I've seen it about 8 times already!
5


Posted on 03/01/06 by hi123 Kid contributor, age 10
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19%
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