Space Jam (DVD 1998)

``Space Jam'' is a happy marriage of good ideas--three films for the price of one, giving us a comic treatment of the career adventures of Michael Jordan, crossed with a Looney Tunes cartoon and some showbiz warfare. It entertains kids at one level while giving their parents a lot to smile at, too. It's an inspired way to use, and kid, Jordan's image while at the same time updating Bugs Bunny & Company to doing battle in the multizillion-dollar animation sweepstakes.

The story begins with young Michael Jordan shooting baskets with his father in the backyard of their home and dreaming of his path to happiness: North Carolina . . . the NBA . . . and finally the ultimate goal, pro baseball. Then we flash forward to very funny sequences showing Jordan in the midst of his baseball career.

He's not a very good baseball player (a TV newscast is frank about that), but everyone around him is starstruck by his sports stardom, anyway. (``He looks good in a uniform,'' one player enthuses. ``You can't teach that.'') An opposing catcher is such a fan that he tells Michael what pitches to expect, and Jordan is having a great time realizing his childhood dream when suddenly he finds himself yanked down a hole on the golf course, and into Looney Tunes-land.

A parallel story has filled us in on the situation in an alternate cartoon universe, where an amusement park in outer space has desperate need for new attractions. To bolster ticket sales, the alien Nerdlucks, who run the park, kidnap the Looney Tunes stars (the stellar roster includes Bugs, Daffy, Elmer Fudd, Porky Pig, Tweety and Sylvester, the Tazmanian Devil, Speedy Gonzales, Yosemite Sam, Foghorn Leghorn and the sexy newcomer Lola Bunny). The desperate Bugs and friends have cut a deal: They'll get their freedom if they can defeat the Nerdluck ``Monstars'' in a basketball game. But the Monstars suck up the basketball talent of such stars as Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing (leaving them unable to even catch a ball, and telling it all to therapists). In desperation, the Looneys kidnap Michael as their secret weapon.

``I'm a baseball player now,'' Jordan protests.

``Right!'' says Bugs. ``And I'm a Shakespearean actor!'' Rising to the occasion, Jordan coaches the Looney Tunes squad in a series of high-energy games and action sequences that combine his live scenes with state-of-the-art animation. The cartoon sequences employ traditional animation techniques and newer approaches, such as the three-dimensional computer animation used in ``Toy Story.'' You can watch the movie on the sports and cartoon levels, and also appreciate the corporate strategy that's involved. A successful feature-length animated family film can roll up astronomical grosses (more than $1 billion from all sources for ``The Lion King''). But the problem for the rest of Hollywood is, only Disney seems to have the key and the cachet to make those films. Animated movies from other sources tend to do disappointingly at the box office.

Warner Bros. has historically been a studio with a rich legacy in animation; such great cartoon directors as Chuck Jones helped fashion their stable of stars. But six-minute cartoons are a neglected art form, and ``Space Jam'' looks like a Warners vehicle to catapult their Looney Tunes characters into the feature-length arena to do battle with Disney.

There are hints of the rivalry all through the film. The outer space amusement park is named ``Moron Mountain,'' perhaps a tribute to Space Mountai

Good old film, a real classic, i was showing my brother what it was like when i was young, what films i watched and he's got a new favorite!
brilliant film

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when i put a bid in it was free p and p yet i ws charged 90p.i work in the post office and i knw that it wld hv cost 76p to send second class

the film is very funny.Is good how they can mix cartoon animation and every day life.I think it is a good film for all ages,especialy children

Bugs Bunny & co are at there brillant & funny best along with Michael Jordon it makes for a funny & brillant family movie.

Bill Murray is superb, and even Michael Jordon doesnt do so bad! This is fun for all ages and is a fantastically under-rated film!!!

So delighted with this dvd. My son has been looking for this for years.Very amusing film.Loved the contrast between human actors and the animated guys!

my son saw this movie on tv just before christmas so i thought, i know look on ebay so i did i won it and recieved in 2 days. my son was so happy when he saw it he watches it everyday.STILL!!!!!! the seller had packaged it really well and it was like i say super fast delivery. so thankyou ebay and seller

i actually bought this for me!! but my 3 year old son loves it!!!
so we sit and watch it together a all round fantastic film
good for adults and children!! makes me smile!!
roll on bugs bunny!

the dvd came as discribed sealed and in brand new. quick delivery after payment was recieved. Brought this good value and my son realy wanted it.