Space Jam: A New Legacy gives LeBron James an opportunity to score a big win over Michael Jordan. Ever since James emerged as a high school basketball phenom prior to joining the NBA, he's frequently been compared to Jordan. Remarkably, James' career lived up to the immense hype, and he cemented himself as one of the game's all-time greats long ago. Much like Jordan, James is widely considered to be the best player of his era and is the face of the league. Eighteen years into his career, James continues to play at a high level, with his Los Angeles Lakers a championship contender.
Of course, there's a notable similarity between Jordan and James off the court. Both stars headline their own Space Jam movie, with James' A New Legacy coming to theaters and HBO Max in July. Warner Bros. is finally starting to rev up the marketing machine, unveiling new Space Jam: A New Legacy images and plot details, giving viewers a better idea of what to expect. Some elements in A New Legacy are certainly cut from the same cloth as its 1996 predecessor, but there are also some key differences that suggest it could end up being a better overall film.
The original Space Jam largely dealt with the Looney Tunes' plight, as the famous cartoon characters looked to avoid becoming Mr. Swackhammer's slaves at Moron Mountain. It was primarily about the big basketball game between the Tune Squad and the Monstars. A New Legacy looks to mix up the formula a bit by adding in a stronger emotional hook. James has spoken about how Space Jam: A New Legacy is a family movie revolving around the relationship between the fictional version of James and his son, Dom (Cedric Joe). With Ryan Coogler in tow, Space Jam: A New Legacy looks to tackle themes of parenting and fatherhood to tell its story.
With this in mind, there's a solid chance Space Jam: A New Legacy nets some positive reviews and ends up better received than its predecessor. The original Space Jam is a cultural touchstone for '90s kids, but it was hardly a critical darling. Arguably unfairly, it has a 43% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics largely dismissing it as a fleeting (if fun, in parts) feature-length commercial for Jordan. Admittedly, Space Jam doesn't have the most narrative depth to it, which is where A New Legacy could surpass it. In the new movie, James and Dom get stuck together in a virtual reality, so their dynamic is going to feature heavily in the film. Considering it's executed properly, there should be substantial stakes for audiences to invest in by the time the climactic basketball game rolls around. Nobody should go into Space Jam: A New Legacy expecting an Oscar contender, but it sounds like some serious thought was put into the story. It isn't just James playing basketball with Bugs Bunny.
Coogler's involvement is key here. Throughout his career, he's demonstrated a keen ability to inject real poignancy and emotion into what could have been simple mass entertainment. He's only writing, not directing, Space Jam: A New Legacy, but his work on Creed and Black Panther speaks for itself, finding ways to craft intricate and substantial stories about the African-American experience that leave a lasting impact with viewers. Hopefully, his touch helps Space Jam: A New Legacy reach new heights and helps it emerge as something special. Obviously, the film will have cartoonish hijinks and plenty of fun WB Easter eggs to keep track of, but it would be nice if Space Jam: A New Legacy was more than just a silly basketball movie. It remains to be seen if James ever matches Jordan in championships, but he could say he had the better movie.
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