Trailer Source: Warner Bros. YouTube Channel
Plot Synopsis: When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny, and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. -via WB YouTube Channel
1st Impression: What happens if you take the concept of Ready Player One and sprinkle in a ton of Warner Bros. IPs and some Looney Tunes? You get Space Jam: A New Legacy, and that’s not terrible to a point as you are creating something that resonates with a new demographic while also attempting to showcase the classic Looney Tunes.
My Take: The Space Jam sequel has been talked about for years, and after the announcement of LeBron James involvement, you knew it would be fast-tracked, and with Warner Bros. sharing their films on HBO Max this year, it’s a no-brainer to get something out there for the kids and bring more eyes on the HBO Max product. While the original Space Jam film is a favorite of mine, I will preface my thoughts with the fact that I see the appeal of this new version and what they’re trying to accomplish. Still, as I said in my first impression, it feels more like Ready Player One with the Looney Tunes than a traditional Looney Tunes film. I’m not 100% confident in that approach, but I am also aware that I am not the target demographic for this film. I am impressed with the animation, especially when the Looney Tunes come into the “real” world.
LeBron James is a great choice to lead the Tune Squad given his mainstream fandom, and I hope we get to see MJ in there, even if it is just as a cameo, although him sharing a virtual court with LeBron would be awesome to see. I’m not sold on Don Cheadle as the villain; even though he is a stellar actor, he seems out of place in a role like this. I think an actor/actress with more comedic chops would have been a better fit, like Leslie Jones, Kevin Hart, or even a veteran comedian like Chris Tucker.
What did you think of this first Space Jam trailer? Let us know in the comments.
