Michael Jordan and LeBron James are probably the two best players to ever grace an NBA court. Other than their on-court presence, they have also made their mark in pop culture. When taking a deep look into the same, one thing that will prominently prop up for both individuals is the iconic ‘Space Jam’ movies. Both Jordan and LeBron have appeared in different versions of the ‘Space Jam’ movies, which featured the basketball icons forming an alliance with several Looney Tunes characters in order to defeat a prominent antagonist. Released almost 25 years apart, both the films have come under analysis by NBA fans and enthusiasts.
Just like the iconic GOAT debate, a discussion has risen over which movie reigns supreme over the other. The following article will discuss just that.
The Michael Jordan-led ‘Space Jam’ was a cultural phenomenon
Michael Jordan’s ‘Space Jam’ movie, released back in 1996, was a cultural phenomenon. It perfectly captured the essence of the 90s. The concept of bringing in one of the biggest names in basketball history to star in a family-friendly movie was a unique pitch undertaken by Hollywood.
The original ‘Space Jam’ movie perfectly captured the essence of the 90s. Even today, if one were to watch the film, they would have their breaths taken away by the elements that helped to perfectly encapsulate the era. Some older fans might even experience some inducing nostalgia.
Michael Jordan’s ‘Space Jam’ movie, released back in 1996, was a cultural phenomenon. It perfectly captured the essence of the 90s. The concept of bringing in one of the biggest names in basketball history to star in a family-friendly movie was a unique pitch undertaken by Hollywood.
The original ‘Space Jam’ movie perfectly captured the essence of the 90s. Even today, if one were to watch the film, they would have their breaths taken away by the elements that helped to perfectly encapsulate the era. Some older fans might even experience some inducing nostalgia.
It still, however, carried the stigma of allegedly being a 21st-century film that was following the ‘90s classic. By the time LeBron’s movie came out, the world had already seen various other movie series like Stuart Little and Smurfs that provided a unique blend of live-action and animation. Due to this reason, the hype for the team wasn’t on par with the 1996 Space Jam.
Michael Jordan’s ‘Space Jam’ had a better storyline
Despite being made on a similar story idea and foundation, both movies had some structural differences. The Chicago Bulls star’s ‘Space Jam’ focused on the player being brought out of retirement in order to help the Looney Tunes characters win a basketball game against invading aliens. The 2021 sequel featured LeBron using the Looney Tunes to help win a basketball game against a rogue AI Entity. In terms of the storyline, the author has to give props to the original.
The movie with Michael Jordan carries the advantage of having an interesting subplot. It featured some of his rivals losing their talents at the hands of the Nerdlucks. By making use of other prominent NBA players of the 90s like Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, etc. the subplot helped viewers to get a break from His Airness and watch their other favorite players get a chance to shine in the spotlight. At the same time, LeBron’s movie was fully focused on its plot to restore balance to the ‘Serververse’ and didn’t dive into any other memorable storylines.
When discussing cameos, Michael B. Jordan’s appearance was definitely something that would have sent a bout of laughter resonating throughout the movie theatre. However, according to the author, it’s nothing when compared to iconic comedian Bill Murray’s cameo throughout the movie, during which he kept searching for Michael Jordan in Looney Tunes Land.
The Soundtrack of the original ‘Space Jam’ was phenomenal
Another factor that helps in contributing a brownie point to the original Space Jam movie is the soundtrack. The 1996 movie has been described by ‘Slate’ as one of the very first movies that chose to take the modern music route rather than the traditional. It provided a blend of hip-hop, R&B, and pop music, resonating with the type of notes that the growing generation wanted to associate themselves with.
For a movie that focused on a high-stakes basketball game, there was a need to generate some highly motivational songs. The various artists working on the music for the movie delivered.
From Biz Markie and the Spin Doctors’ ‘That’s The Way (I Like It)’ to Seal’s ‘Fly Like An Eagle’ the soundtrack was at a level that not many moviegoers had experienced before in their life. ‘I Believe I Can Fly’ earned R. Kelly critical acclaim, providing him with three Grammy Awards in the process.
The Final Verdict
Both versions of the ‘Space Jam’ movies have their own unique allure, which makes them a worthwhile watch for both NBA and non-NBA enthusiasts. LeBron James’ ‘A New Legacy’ is nothing short of entertaining, providing the viewers with plenty of jokes while incorporating the spirit of basketball at the same time. However, in the ultimate comparison, it doesn’t come close to meeting the standard of the original film.
Michael Jordan’s ‘Space Jam’ stands out due to the influence it had on overall culture, its storytelling methods, and a soundtrack that continues to resonate even with the current generation. Even though it comes down to personal preference in the end, there is no denying the fact that, in some cases, the originals continue to reign supreme.