Space Jam Film Analysis

If someone is incredibly nostalgic and wishes that they could experience the craziness of any decade, the movie Space Jam (1996), effectively captures the quintessential explosion that was the decade of the 1990s. The movie, starring Michael Jordan and the Looney Tunes characters, has so many elements that it fails to classify into a single genre. The entirety of the movie revolves around Michael Jordan, who is not only struggling with his transition to a baseball career, but also helping out the Looney Tunes beat extraterrestrials in a basketball game. This plot is demonstrated to its fullest extent definitely through its challenge of genre and its unconventional cinematography.

Part of the film’s comedic qualities is due in part to not only

the goofy plot line, but also its menagerie of real-life/live-action cinematography and animated style. One minute, the story is taking place in the real world, with Michael Jordan strolling up to bat and talking with his agent about the reluctance he has to pursue baseball. After several scenes, we are emerged into the animated world- one filled with aliens inhabiting a planet dictated by amusement parks. While this may be confusing at first, especially since it challenges the audience’s long-held expectations of animation and real-life cinematography as being separate categories. However, as the movie progresses, these two worlds intertwine when the Looney Tunes drag Michael Jordan into an intergalactic basketball tournament. Even though one might think it incredibly unconventional, the movie does not manages the transition quite well by creating a circumstance that makes it easy for the animated and real world to collide and coexist. In fact, Michael Jordan’s initial confusion makes it relatable for the audience because by this point in the film they probably related with Jordan, by asking themselves: “why am I even here?”
One of the best parts about the movie is the fact that it is an easy watch for anyone of any age. It breaks the fourth-wall a little bit with the Looney Tunes trying to garner the opinion from the audience about the opponents they initially underestimate. Michael Jordan’s children even interact with the animated characters who break into their dad’s trophy room, and part of our long-gone childhood is reminisced upon. Characters are flattened against the basketball court in the familiar style that we all connotate with the Looney Tunes. The movie is not trying to achieve anything, and embraces its own stupidity. In an odd sort of way, it is kind of humbling and teaches even the most serious and cynical to just get off their high horses.
After watching the movie Space Jam, I probably won’t watch it again. In fact, for people who love meaningful plots and dynamic, round characters, this is not the movie for them at all. It is not a movie where one can gain a whole lot of perspective, and does not go out if its way to stylistically craft a story through cinematographic language. Therefore, I would not recommend it in that sense. If one just wants a movie where they don’t have to read too much into anything, yet still gain a laugh at, then this movie is for them.