Space Jam A New Legacy Review: Did We Need A New Legacy?

Space Jam A New Legacy is the sequel to Michael Jordan’s Space Jam that was released 25 years ago. The sequel is helmed by the NBA star LeBron James, and the trailer had made us all excited for yet another basketball showdown with our favorite Looney Tunes characters.

The OG Space Jam was entertaining and had an interesting cultural context surrounding Jordan, his retirement, and his coming back to the top. It wasn’t critically acclaimed, but it was one of the highest-grossing basketball films of all time back then.

25 years later, we’ve got yet another superstar LeBron James trying to recreate the magic.

But is it worth the hype, and should you watch it? Let’s find out!

1. Quick Review

Space Jame A New Legacy lacks in every aspect of entertainment and films. Right from its underwhelming story arc, to its average soundtrack, to zero character development, this film seems unnecessary.

It seems like the film was made because Michael Jordan made it so many years ago, so now LeBron, who is currently one of the best in the game, should also make it. And perhaps that’s what is the problem with the film. It is devoid of any motive or conviction other than “I can do it too!”.

2. Is It Worth Watching?

Space Jam: A New Legacy – Trailer 2

No! Space Jam A New Legacy is not worth your time and doesn’t offer anything other than boredom that seems to last for an eternity. Though a lot of work has gone into making the visuals a treat, it really can’t make up for a lousy story, screenplay, and character work.

If you’re scrolling through Instagram reels or TikTok, there are more chances you’re getting more entertainment than in this film. I wish there were some saving grace to this film, but there isn’t. So save yourself from it!

3. Plot

I don’t think Space Jam A New Legacy, even needs or deserves this section. So I might as well skip it. But just for your sake, let me give you a small glimpse because that’s all you need to know why you shouldn’t be wasting your HBOMax subscription on this film.

LeBron James and his son get trapped in a digital world because of some rogue AI. Now they have to play basketball against AI characters to win and return home safely. Unfortunately, the only way they’ve made this sequel relevant to current times is by using the word AI too many times and showcasing good VFX.

4. Cast And Characters

The cast includes quite a few famous faces starting with LeBron James, Michael B Jordan, Zendaya, Don Cheadle, Gabriel Iglesias, and also players from NBA and WNBA.

It’s funny how so many talented people can come together to create something that is so forgettable. I, for one, love most of these actors for their performances in what can be called their best work to date. They are that good.

Now, sometimes films don’t work out and don’t deliver, which is entirely normal. But to be involved in a project that lacked any sort of zest or vision is sort of disappointing.

5. Final Thoughts And Grade

The 1 in 1/5 is for VFX. If you’re someone actively seeking boredom, this film is the perfect thing for the job. Hopefully, there’s no sequel to this one, and if there is one, I hope it’s written better.

6. About Space Jam: A New Legacy (Space Jam 2)

Space Jam: A New Legacy (also known as Space Jam 2) is an upcoming American live-action/animated sports comedy film directed by Malcolm D. Lee, from a screenplay by Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, and Terence Nance.

The film is a sequel to Space Jam (1996) and stars basketball player LeBron James, as well as Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, and Cedric Joe. The film also features the Looney Tunes characters such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Marvin the Martian, Pepé Le Pew, Tweety, Sylvester, Foghorn Leghorn, Porky Pig, and Lola Bunny.

Like the previous hybrid films, it will be a combination of live-action and traditional hand drawn 2D animation with some CGI effects

Basketball champion and global icon LeBron James and his young son Dom (Cedric Joe) – who dreams of being a video game developer rather than follow his father’s footsteps – find themselves trapped in Serververse, a virtual space ruled by a rogue A.I. named Al-G Rhythm (Don Cheadle).

LeBron must save his son and get them home safe by leading Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to win a basketball match against Al-G’s digitized champions on the court, the Goon Squad.