Underrated

Rating: 9/10 (1 September 2005)

After reading reviews of "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" and "The People vs. Larry Flint", I feel compelled to comment on "Space Jam". The reason is this - Bob Hoskins received praise for his work in "Roger Rabbit" and one of the reasons many reviewers gave was that he had to interact with cartoon characters. On the other hand - Courtney Love was praised for her ability to play a character who, according to some reviews, was similar in her past and personality to Ms. Love herself. How difficult, they said, to basically play yourself.
Here is Michael Jordan, playing opposite cartoons, AND playing himself - not a character similar to himself - but his honest-to-goodness own self. He does so with insight and self-deprecating humor. Witness the scene where he is playing baseball in the minor leagues. Everybody is so anxious to see him succeed that even the opposing catcher is going to let him know what pitch is coming and where it's going to be. Mr. Jordan, the actor, handles this scene beautifully, a look of resignation, disgust, and then determination NOT to be used in this manner. Is that not brilliant acting? To appreciate the comparison to Bob Hoskins, watch the scenes where Jordan is transported into cartoon land and is treated with slapstick hilarity worthy of all the old WB cartoons. In my opinion, this is as good as Hoskins slipping and sliding his way out of a desperate situation in "Roger Rabbit".
For students of literature and film I feel the need to point out what I've regarded as a metaphor or analogy (I never did learn the difference). Are the Mon-Stars and their evil leader (Danny DeVito) a metaphor for the influence of gambling in sports? Something to ponder.
Anyway, overall, a very entertaining movie for kids, fans of WB cartoons, and especially for basketball fans and Michael Jordan fans in particular. I highly recommend it and have rated this movie 9 out of 10.