Space Jam

***Space Jam*** is a 1996 American live-action/animated sports comedy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures, directed by Joe Pytka, with animation sequences directed by Bruce W. Smith and Tony Cervone, and written by Leo Benvenuti, Steve Rudnick, Timothy Harris and Herschel Weingrod. The film stars basketball player Michael Jordan as a fictional version of himself; Wayne Knight and Theresa Randle appear in supporting roles, while Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Bob Bergen, Bill Farmer, Russi Taylor, Tress MacNeille, Billy West, Dee Bradley Baker, and Danny DeVito headline the voice cast. The film is a fictionalized account of the timeline between Jordan's initial retirement from the NBA in 1993 and his 1995 return, during which he is enlisted by the *Looney Tunes* characters to aid them in a basketball match against visiting aliens who intend to enslave them as attractions for their amusement park.

*Space Jam* was released theatrically in the United States on November 15, 1996. The film received mixed reviews from critics, who were divided over its premise of combining Jordan and his profession with the *Looney Tunes* characters, although the technical achievements of its intertwining of live-action and animation were praised. It was a box office success, grossing over $250 million worldwide and becoming the highest-grossing basketball film of all time as well as the tenth-highest-grossing film of 1996.

A television film crossover with *Teen Titans Go!*, *Teen Titans Go! See Space Jam*, aired on Cartoon Network in June 2021. Following several years in development, a standalone sequel/reboot starring LeBron James, *Space Jam: A New Legacy*, was released on July 16, 2021.

## Plot

In 1973, a 10-year old Michael Jordan tells his father, James, about his dreams of playing in the NBA. Twenty years later, following his father's death, Jordan announces his retirement from basketball and pursues a career in baseball.

Meanwhile, in outer space, the amusement park Moron Mountain is in decline. Mr. Swackhammer, the park's proprietor, learns of the Looney Tunes from his minions, the Nerdlucks, and tasks them with abducting them as attractions. Upon their arrival beneath Earth's surface, the Nerdlucks take the Looney Tunes hostage, but Mickey Mouse persuades them into allowing them to defend themselves. Noting the Nerdlucks' small stature, the Looney Tunes challenge them to a basketball game despite their inexperience. After learning more of basketball, the Nerdlucks infiltrate various games, usurping the talents of Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, and Muggsy Bogues. The Nerdlucks use these talents to transform into large and muscular creatures, whom Sylvester refers to as Monstars. The easily intimidated Looney Tunes realize their need for professional help.

While golfing with Bill Murray, Larry Bird, and his assistant, Stan Podolak, the Looney Tunes take Jordan into their universe. Mickey explains their situation to Jordan, who is initially reluctant to help. However, Jordan agrees after a confrontation with the Monstars, and forms the Tune Squad with the Looney Tunes. Initially unprepared, Jordan sends Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck back to his house to obtain his basketball gear. Jordan's children aid them and agree to keep the game a secret; Stan notices the pair, follows them back to their world, and joins the team. Meanwhile, the incapacity of the five NBA players results in national panic that culminates in the season's suspension. The players try to restore their skills through various methods, to no avail.

The game between the Tune Squad and the Monstars eventually commences, with Swackhammer arriving to witness it. The Monstars easily dominate the first half, sinking the Tune Squad's morale. During halftime, Stan sneaks into the Monstars' locker room, learns how they obtained their talent, and informs the Tune Squad. Using a unique plan, Mickey and Jordan rally the Tune Squad, who improve in the second half with cartoon physics. During a timeout, Jordan raises the stakes with Swackhammer: if the Tune Squad wins, the Monstars must relinquish their stolen talent; if the Monstars win, Jordan will become a new Moron Mountain attraction. On Swackhammer's orders, the Monstars become increasingly aggressive, incapacitating most of the Tune Squad.

With ten seconds left in the game, the Tune Squad are down by one point and one player, with only Jordan, Mickey, Donald Duck and Porky Pig still able to play. Murray unexpectedly arrives and joins the team. In the final seconds, Jordan gains the ball with Murray's help but is pulled back by the Monstars. On Mickey's advice, Jordan uses cartoon physics to extend his arm and achieve a slam dunk, winning the match with a buzzer beater. After Swackhammer scolds the Monstars, Jordan helps them realize that they only served him because they were once smaller. They encase Swackhammer inside a missile and send him to the Moon. After relinquishing their talent, the Nerdlucks join the Looney Tunes and return Jordan to Earth.

Jordan later returns the talent to the incapacitated players, whose remarks convince Jordan to return to the NBA and resume his basketball career.