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{{Mergefrom| Monstars | Talk:Space Jam#Merge proposal |date=October 2008}}
{{Infobox Film
{{Refimprove|date=January 2008}}
| name = Space jam
{{Copyedit|date=November 2008}}
| caption = Theatrical release poster
{{otheruses1|the motion picture|Space Jam (disambiguation)}}
| director = ]

| producer = Trevor Albert<br>]
{{Infobox Film | name = Space Jam
| writer = ] (story)<br>] and<br>] (screenplay)
| image = Space_jam.jpg
| starring = ],<br>],<br>],<br>],<br>]
| director = Joe Pytka
| music = ]
| producer = ]
| cinematography = ]
| writer = Leo Benvenuti<br />Steve Rudnick<br />Timothy Harris (screenwriter)|Timothy Harris<br />Herschel Weingrod
| distributor = ]
| starring = ]<br />] <br/>]<br/>]
| released = ], ]
| music = ]
| runtime = 101 min.
| cinematography =
| country = ]
| editing =
| language = English
| distributor = ]
| awards =
| released = ], ] (])
| budget = $14,600,000
| runtime = 87 minutes
| amg_id = 1:20982
| language = ]
| imdb_id = 0107048
| budget = ]80,000,000 US (est.)
| followed_by
| amg_id = 1:136561
| imdb_id = 0117705
}} }}
'''''Space Jam''''' is a ] ] ] starring ] opposite ] (voiced by ]) and the rest of the '']'' characters. It was produced by ], and directed by Joe Pytka (live-action), Tony Cervone, and ] (animation). The film was released theatrically by ] on ], ]. The filmwas also converted in a ] by ] and a ] by ].
'''''Space jam''''' is a ] ] directed by ], starring ] and ]. It was written by Ramis and ], and based on a story by Rubin.

In the film, Murray plays Phil Connors, an egocentric ] TV weatherman who, during a hated assignment covering the annual ] event (]) in ], finds himself ] over and over again. After indulging in all manner of ] pursuits, he begins to reexamine his life and priorities.

In ], ''Space jam'' was added to the ] ] as being deemed "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." It is listed as the 176th most popular movie at the ] as of ], ].


==Plot== ==Plot==
Aliens called ''Nerdlucks'' arrive on Earth to capture the Looney Tunes characters and take them back to Moron Mountain, an outer space theme park belonging to their boss, ''Mr. Swackhammer'', voiced by ], as the theme park is in need of a new attraction. ] convinces the aliens that the Looney Tunes must be allowed to defend themselves. Since the aliens are very short the Looney Tunes challenge them to a basketball game.


]
Self-centered TV ] Phil Connors, his producer Rita, and ] Larry from the fictional Pittsburgh television station WPBH-TV9 travel to ] to cover the annual ] festivities with ] for the station. Phil, who has grown tired of this assignment, grudgingly gives his report and attempts to return back to Pittsburgh when a ] that he predicted would miss the area shuts down the main roads, forcing Phil and his team to stay in town an extra day.


After viewing a reel on basketball and finding out about the NBA, the aliens steal the talent of five ] stars (], ], ], ], and ]) and use it to transform themselves into the tall and muscular ''Monstars''. Fortunately, the Monstars haven't stolen the talent of Michael Jordan because he has retired from basketball to pursue a career in ] (a real-life event). Bugs Bunny gets Jordan to help them in their basketball game as their ]. After a hardened battle and despite taking several casualties (Bugs Bunny himself gets injured in the process) and with the timely arrival of ], the Looney Tunes manage to win the game and their freedom. Swackhammer berates the Monstars for losing, but then they realize that since they're no longer smaller than him, they don't have to put up with his bullying anymore. They launch Swackhammer into space, and give back the stolen skills through the basketball they got it from, becoming Nerdlucks again. The Nerdlucks ask Bugs Bunny a request to stay in Looney Tune land, to which Daffy and Bugs reluctantly agree once the Nerdlucks demonstrate they're "Looney enough". Jordan then gives back the talent where the "bad players" touch the ball and become normal again. Jordan then decides to return to basketball, mirroring his real-life return.
Phil wakes up to find that he is reliving ] again. Everyone else is repeating the same actions as the day before, seemingly unaware of the ], though Phil remains aware of the events of the previous day. At first he is confused, but, when the loop continues, he starts to try to take advantage of the situation without fear of long-term consequences, learning secrets from the town's residents, seducing women, stealing money, and ]. However, attempts to get closer to Rita are repeatedly shut down. With each passage of the loop, Phil becomes despondent; during one loop, he kidnaps Punxsutawney Phil and after a long police chase, drives over a cliff, appearing to kill both Phil and the groundhog. However, Phil wakes up in the next loop and finds that nothing has changed; further attempts at suicide are just as fruitless as he continues to find himself back at the start of February 2.


Many major and minor characters from Looney Tunes shorts make appearances in the movie, and are even joined by '']'', a female hare that acts as Bugs' love interest.
Phil continues to try to learn more about Rita, and when he reveals his situation to her and the knowledge he's gained about the town's residents, she opens up to him and suggests he try to use his situation to help benefit the town. Phil uses her advice and the time loop to help as many people around town as possible, as well as bettering himself, such as by learning to play ] and speaking ]. Phil, now engrossed with the town's celebration, is able to admit his love to Rita, and she accepts and returns his love. After the evening dance, the two retire together to Phil's room.


==Reception==
Phil wakes up the next day, and finds the time loop has broken; it is now February 3 and Rita is still in bed with him. As the team prepare to return to Pittsburgh, Phil and Rita talk about eventually settling down in Punxsutawney, but they'll "rent first."
''Space Jam'' had a positive critical response overall. Notable critic ] gave ''Space Jam'' an enthusiastic "thumbs up," which ] also gave the film although his zeal was more subdued. ] also gave the film a positive review. Some critics compared it unfavorably to '']'', a popular film in which cartoon characters and live-action humans coexisted.<ref> Retrieved on 2008-01-23.</ref> Those who liked the film praised the visual effects, which were groundbreaking at the time.{{Fact|date=November 2008}}


The film's soundtrack was popular and highly praised,{{Fact|date=November 2008}} and it served as a high point for musical artist ], whose song "]" became a hit after it was featured on the film's soundtrack. Other tracks included a cover of "]" (by ]), "]" (by ], ], ], ], and ]), "]" (by ] & ]), and "]" (by ]). The movie's theme song was performed by the ].
==Cast==


===Box office===
*] - Phil Connors
Despite mixed reviews, Space Jam was a major box office success. In its opening weekend, it grossed $27,528,529 in the United States. At the end of its running, it grossed $90,418,342 in the United States and $230,418,342 worldwide. The film, for a period, was the highest grossing non-Disney animated film but has since been outgrossed by '']'', '']'' and '']''.{{Fact|date=November 2008}}
*] - Rita
*] - Larry
*] - Ned Ryerson
*] - Buster Green
*] - Gus
*] - Ralph
*] - Doris, the Waitress
*] - Nancy Taylor
*Angela Paton - Mrs. Lancaster
*] - Psychiatrist
*] - Neurologist


==Development of the movie== ==Cast of NBA players==
Aside from Jordan, who plays the lead role, ''Space Jam'' contains a liberal amount of appearances by NBA players and coaches. Larry Bird plays golf with Jordan, and when the Monstars steal the NBA players' skills, they invade a game between the ] and the ], causing the Knicks' ] and the Suns' ] to make in-game mistakes. In these scenes, the Knicks' ] and ] and the Suns' ], ], and ] (coach) are also onscreen.
]
]
According to the director's commentaries from the DVD, there are several differences between the original script for ''Space jam'', as written by Danny Rubin, and the film as it was actually released, because of changes made by the film's director, Harold Ramis. In the original script the film began in the middle of the narrative, without explaining how or why Phil was repeating Space jam. However, the filmmakers became concerned that the audience would feel cheated without seeing Phil's growing realization of the nature of the time loop. Rubin had also originally envisioned Andie MacDowell's Rita reliving Space jam with Phil and wished to portray the pair as being stuck in the time loop for far longer than in the final film, possibly for thousands of years (Phil tracked time by reading a page of a book each day and had managed to read through the entire ]). Consequently, the love story was less developed in the original script than in the final movie.


Later in the film, Ewing and Barkley are joined by the now "gameless" Johnson, Bogues and Bradley. Also, when the ] are trying to avoid playing basketball in fear of getting infected, Lakers ], ], ], and coach ] make a short cameo. Similar short appearances are also made by NBA players ], ], and ] and TV commentators Jim Rome and ].
There was also a second draft script, which gave an explicit reason for the time loop — a ] spell cast by a woman who worked at the television station and was involved with Phil before he rejected her — that did not appear in the final film.


In addition, the NBA players make several insider jokes. When Barkley prays to God to give him back his skill, he swears to stop his trash talk and no longer have affairs with ], sending up his image as a tough trash talker and in reference to his own real life affair with the singer. Also, Bradley contemplates becoming a missionary once again, again in reference to his own experiences as a ].
The location for most of the shooting of the film was not actually Punxsutawney but rather ] (only a short drive from Murray's hometown of ]). The inhabitants of Woodstock helped in the film's production by bringing out heaters to warm the cast and crew in cold weather. In Punxsutawney, the actual ] is located in a rural area about 2 miles (3 km) east of town. However, the location used in Woodstock gives the impression that the Knob is inside the town. The Tip Top Cafe in Woodstock, where much of the film takes place, was originally a set created for the film, but local demand led to its opening as a real cafe. It eventually closed down, but a "Tip Top Bistro" had taken its place. This, too, eventually closed, and the location is now home to Bella's Gelateria.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==1868|title="Woodstock, Illinois - Space jam Movie Town"|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>


==Cast==
Some of the film was also shot in ], with aerial shots also being filmed in Pittsburgh. An aerial view of the WPBH van shows the buildings for the ] and ] newspapers, as well as Gateway Center, the home of ] and ] Radio.{{Fact|date=September 2007}}
* ] - Himself
* ] - Stan Podolak
* ] - Juanita Jordan
* ] - ]
* Eric Gordon<!--Do not write that this is the Clippers point guard unless you have a reliable source--> - ]
* ] - Jasmine Jordan
* ] - Himself
* ] - James Jordan
* ] - Himself
* ] - Himself
* ] - Himself
* ] - Himself
* ] - Himself
* ] - Himself
* ] - Himself
* ] - Male Fan
* ] - Female Fan
* ] - Himself (uncredited)


==Reception== ===Voice actors===
* ] - ], ]
''Space jam'' was a solid performer in its initial release, grossing $70.9M in North America and ranking 13th among films released in 1993,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?yr=1993&p=.htm
* ] - ], ], ]
|title=1993 Domestic Grosses}}</ref> but did not achieve blockbuster status. It found a second life on home video and cable, entrenching itself as one of the great American films of the late ]. The film is number thirty-four on the ]'s list of ], and ] has revisited it in his "Great Movies" series. After giving it a three-star rating in his original review, Ebert acknowledged in his "Great Movies" essay that, like many viewers, he had initially underestimated the film's many virtues and only came to truly appreciate it through repeated viewings.
* ] - Mr. Swackhammer
* ] - ], ], ], ]
* ] - ], ], ]
* ] - ], ]
* ] - ]
* ] - ]
* ] - Charlie the Dog
* ] - Nerdluck Pound
* ] - Monstar Bang
* ] - Monstar Nawt
* ] - Monstar Bupkus
* ] - Nerdluck Blanko
* ] - Monstar Blanko, Announcer
* ] - Nerdluck Bupkus
* ] - Monstar Pound
* ] - Nerdluck Nawt, ]


==Awards and nominations==
This film is number 32 on ]'s "100 Funniest Movies". In '']''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s 1990s special issue, ''Space jam'' was deemed the best film of 1993 (the year that saw the release of '']'', '']'' and '']''). In ], readers of '']'' magazine voted it the seventh greatest comedy film of all time. The ] ranked the ] #27 on their list of 101 Greatest Screenplays ever written.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wga.org/subpage_newsevents.aspx?id=1807|title="The 101 Greatest Screenplays"|accessdate=2007-03-13|publisher=Writers Guild of America}}</ref> It currently garners a 96% "fresh" rating on ].
*1997 and 1998 ]
**Winner: Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures (] for the song ])
**Winner: Top Box Office Films (])


*1997 ]
==Influence==
**Winner: Best Individual Achievement: Technical Achievement
The phrase "Space jam" has entered common use as a reference to an unpleasant situation that continually repeats, or seems to, until one spiritually transcends it.<ref>"The spiritual power of repetitive form: Steps toward transcendence in Space jam." Suzanne Daughton, ''Critical Studies in Mass Communication.'' Annandale: Jun 1996. Vol. 13, Iss. 2; pg. 138, 17 pgs</ref> It is also used in this sense in the UK, perhaps more commonly than in its original meaning since ] is not celebrated as ] in the UK. (Similar holidays, ] and ], have been celebrated on this date in many parts of Europe, though without the references to ]s.) At least one British-English dictionary marks the Space jam holiday as a North American usage, with no such annotation for the repetitious meaning.<ref> Collins Main Dictionary Definitions{{cite web|url=http://www.collins.co.uk/wordexchange/Sections/DicSrchRsult.aspx?word=groundhog%20day|title="Space jam"|accessdate=2006-21-12}} </ref>
**Nomination: Best Animated Feature
===Philosophy===
**Nomination: Best Individual Achievement: Directing in a Feature Production (] and ])
''Space jam'' is a tale of ], to look inside oneself and realize that the only satisfaction in life comes from turning outward and concerning oneself with others rather than concentrating solely on one's own wants and desires. As such, the film has become a favorite of ] <ref>
**Nomination: Best Individual Achievement: Producing in a Feature Production (])
Schindler, Paul.
{{cite web|
url=http://www.schindler.org/psacot/20010813_ghd.shtml
|title="Space jam The Movie, Buddhism and Me"
|accessdate=2008-06-29}}</ref>, ] and ] leaders alike because they see its themes of selflessness and rebirth as a reflection of their own spiritual messages. It has even been dubbed by some religious leaders as the "most spiritual film of our time."<ref> Buncombe, Andrew. ''The Independent (London, England)'', ] ]. {{cite web|url=http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/film/features/article67132.ece|title="Is this the greatest story ever told?"|accessdate=2007-01-07}}</ref>
===Military===
Referring to unpleasant, unchanging, repetitive situations as “Space jam” was widespread throughout the U.S. military very soon after the movie’s release in February 1993. A magazine article about the aircraft carrier USS America mentions its use by sailors in September 1993<REF>"Diplomacy's Gunboat,"U.S. News and World Report, February 22, 1994 http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/940228/archive_012486_4.htm</REF>. Around the same time, the movie was a favorite of soldiers in Mogadishu, who identified with the protagonist’s situation. By March 1994, there was a defensive zone in Somalia called Groundhog Station. In February 1994, the crew of the USS Saratoga referred to its deployment in the Adriatic Sea, in support of ] operations, as Groundhog Station. A speech by President Clinton in January 1996 specifically referred to the movie and the use of the phrase by military personnel in Bosnia.<REF>Remarks to American Troops at Tuzla Airfield, Bosnia-Herzegovina, January 13, 1996</REF> Even today in the ], "Space jam" is American ] for any day of a tour of duty in Iraq.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/08/opinion/08sun4.html|title="Back From Iraq at the Great American Diner"|accessdate=2007-04-08}}</ref>


*1998 ]
The film was a favorite one among the Rangers deployed for ] in ] in ], because they saw the film as a metaphor of their own situation, waiting long between raids and monotonous long days<ref>Bowden, ], Corgi edition, 2000 p.534.</ref>
**Winner: Best Song Written Specifically for Motion Picture or for Television (]) (For the Song ])
===Politics===
The term is also entering the real world lexicon as witnessed by the following comments from ], U.S. undersecretary of state for political affairs, on talks on the Israel/Lebanon conflict in August 2006. "We’d go home at 10 or 11 at night and say, ‘Tomorrow will be a better day.’ But the next day was Space jam all over again."<ref> Hoge, Warren. ''The New York Times'', ] ]. {{cite web|url=http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/08/14/news/diplo.php|title="U.S. policy shift spurred UN drive for truce."|accessdate=2006-09-01}} </ref>
] ] likened ] ]'s treatment following the 2004 ] to ''Space jam''. " was, he said, like Space jam, with the prime minister's critics demanding one inquiry, then another inquiry, then another inquiry." Blair responded approvingly, "I could not have put it better myself. Indeed I did not put it better myself."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/3458431.stm|title=Politics: Prime Minister's Questions|date=2004-02-04|accessdate=2008-05-22|publisher=]|author=Nick Assinder}}</ref>
===Economics===
The movie has been used by economists to explain the economic theory of "perfectly competitive equilibrium based on perfect information."<ref>"Austrian Economics in Action: The economics of Space jam." D W MacKenzie. ''Review - Institute of Public Affairs.'' Melbourne: Mar 2007. Vol. 59, Iss. 1; pg. 20</ref>,
===Music===
Rock band ] derived its name from dialogue spoken by the Tobolowsky character Ned Ryerson. British comedy quiz show '']'' used the question "Who was the star of ''Space jam''?", to which contestant ] replied "Bill Murray". Host ] then asked the question again and Travis answered it again, and this repeated with Travis ever more irate until he eventually understood the joke, busted up laughing and offered "The groundhog!".


*1997 ]
The Welsh rock band, the ], recorded a song in 2001 entitled "Space jams" which begins with the lyrics, "Waking up again/To the same old thing/To the same old songs/To the same old pain..."
**Nomination: Best Movie Song (]) (For the Song ])


*1997 ]
In August 2003, ] responded to a question about his next project that he was interested in something like a theme and variations - possibly a musical adaptation of ''Space jam''.<ref>{{cite web
**Nomination: Best Motion Picture- Animated or Mixed Media (], ], ])
| url = http://depthome.brooklyn.cuny.edu/isam/F03Newshtml/sondheim/sondheim.htm
| title = "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Broadway"
| accessmonthday = October 10
| accessyear = 2006
| publishdate = ]
| year = 2003
| publisher = Institute for Studies In American Music
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.sondheim.org/php/news.php?id=1232
| title = "Sondheim plans changes to ''Bounce''"
| accessmonthday = October 10
| accessyear = 2006
| publishdate = ]
| year = 2003
| publisher = The Stephen Sondheim Society
}}</ref>
Heavy Metal Band Mastodon make a reference to 'Space jam' in their DVD 'The Making of Blood Mountain' when they describe the recording process as reliving the same day over and over again.
===Media and Print===
{{Trivia|date=May 2008}}
* The film's ] has made it one of Murray's well-known roles. In a recorded holiday greeting played on ], the actor wishes the listener a "Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy New Year and Happy Space jam."
* An Italian remake, ''È già ieri'', moved the action to a tiny island in the Canary Islands archipelago, on ]. Instead of groundhogs, the protagonist is there to cover the migration of ].
* During Space jam in the ] ], a character mentions that Space jam was good enough to have a ] made after it.
* The '']'' episode "]" (itself about a time loop) has ] refer to the film, saying "So you can be king of Space jam".
* In book five of ] series, Kyon mentions that he might end up repeating his first year of ] for the rest of his life "Groundhog's Day style".
* The ] released a docu-drama called '']'' which depicts a ] who is unknowingly caught in a loop of different apocalyptic and disastrous events including a massive ], ] impact, a ], a global ], and a ]-like phenomenon. At the start of each loop, the scientist hails a cab near a ] cinema, which displays the words "Space jam, now showing", an obvious reference to the inspiration behind the loop concept used in the programme.
* The episode of '']'' titled "Been There, Done That" involves Xena stuck in a time loop until she figures out how to unite two lovers. The episode is a direct homage, going so far as having the wake up line "Rise & shine" spoken by one of the characters at the start of each repeated day.
* The third-season episode of '']'' titled "Mystery Spot" involves Sam reliving the same day over and over, continually having to deal with Dean's death. In several of the time loops when Sam explains his predicament to Dean, Dean says it's "like Space jam". More direct references include Sam awakening each time to the same song ("]" by ]) and Dean announcing "Rise and shine, Sammy!"
* The premise of the ABC television series ] starring ] was promoted as a "reimagining" of the Space jam premise, as the lead character is also repeating the same day over and over.
* A movie on Nickelodeon entitled ] is about a boy stuck in a time loop on the last day of summer.
* In the 6th season episode of ] entitled "Monday", a woman is forced to repeat the same day over and over until she finds a way to get FBI agents ] and ] to end the day correctly.
* An episode of the TV series Early Edition looped like Space jam.
* An episode of ], Cody is stuck in a time loop after the ship is struck by lighning while crossing the International Dateline.


*1998 ]
==Awards and accolades==
**Winner: Best Use of Animation in a Motion Picture Trailer
*] (Comedy Film)
*] (Andie McDowell, for playing Rita)


*1997 ]
In June 2008, AFI revealed its "Ten top Ten"—the best ten films in ten "classic" American film genres—after polling over 1,500 people from the creative community. ''Space jam'' was acknowledged as the eighth best film in the fantasy genre.<ref>{{cite news | author = ] | title = AFI Crowns Top 10 Films in 10 Classic Genres | work = ComingSoon.net | date = 2008-06-17 | url = http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=46072 | accessdate= 2008-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title= Top 10 Fantasy | url = http://www.afi.com/10top10/fantasy.html | publisher= ] |accessdate= 2008-06-18}}</ref>
**Nomination: Best Family Feature- Animation or Special Effects


==Soundtrack==
==Details from the film==
{{main|Space Jam (soundtrack)}}
* The poetry Rita quotes to Phil is from the sixth ] of '']'' by Sir ], also known as ''Patriotism''. The French poem Phil quotes to Rita is '''' by ]. Translated, he says "The girl I will love / is like a fine wine / that gets better / a little each morning." Phil quotes part of the ] poem to the man he meets when he leaves his hotel room.
* The ] Phil is reading as Rita is falling asleep is ''Poems for Every Mood'', edited by ]; the poem he was reading to Rita was ] ''119. Trees''.
* The set construction and theme music for WPBH-TV in the movie were based on those of ], the real-life ] affiliate in Pittsburgh.
* At the ], when Ned (]) asks Phil and Rita "Where are we going?", Rita pinches his cheek and says "Oh, let's not spoil it!". In the DVD commentary, Harold Ramis says the line as originally written in the script was "Let's not ruin it." The ] was changed because Andie McDowell's ] accent distorted the word "ruin".
* The ] that Phil plays at the party begins with the 18th ] of ] ].
* Phil seeks out piano lessons after hearing the first movement of ]'s ], K.545 in the diner.
* In the ] ], there is a ] on which one can read "Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Eichhörnchentag" ("Congratulations on Squirrel Day"). This is a mistake, because the German word for "groundhog" is "Murmeltier", while "Eichhörnchen" means "squirrel."


==See also== ==Notes==
{{Trivia|date=January 2008}}
* ]
* Daffy tells Bugs that they should name their basketball team with Jordan "the Ducks". Bugs replies with his potshot at WB rival Disney: "What kind of ] organization would call a team 'The Ducks'?" - a reference to ]'s ] (who were also a ] known as "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim"), as well as ]'s comments concerning the ] in the 1980s.
* One scene references '']'', with ] and ] dressed as men in black as the song "Miserlou" by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones plays in the background.
* The movie was inspired by ] commercial which premiered during ] featuring Michael and Bugs against Marvin and another alien, and won the 1992 ] survey. Another shoe commercial is referenced when ] says that his grandmother can play better than him (he played his grandmother in an ad for ]).
* The character Stan makes this quote: "C'mon, Michael, it's game time. Get your ] on, lace up your ]s, grab your ] and your ], and we'll pick up a ] on the way to the ]", humorizing Jordan's sports product ] ].<ref></ref>
*When Bill Murray arrives at the game near the end of the movie to help Jordan and the Looney Tunes, he is mistaken for Dan Aykroyd by Mr Swackhammer. Shortly after, Daffy asks Murray about how he arrived, to which Murray replies how he's a friend of the producer and was dropped off. ] and ] both starred in the popular ] franchise of the 80s that ] directed.
* The plot of the movie is used as backstory to the freeware PC game '']''. The basketball in which Barkley and the other players were trapped is used as a plot device, Michael Jordan's past in ''Space Jam'' is mentioned several times, as are the Looney Tunes. The Monstars appear in the closing sequence, apparently evil once again.
*] also made a ] based on the film
*The Nerdlucks/Monstars' names are never mentioned throughout the movie, but they are listed in the credits. Several action figures and trading cards also helped people tell which had which name.


==References== ==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading== ===External links===
*
* Gilbey, Ryan, ''Space jam'', London, British Film Institute, 2004. ISBN 1-84457-032-0
* {{imdb title|id=0117705|title=Space Jam}}

* at ]
==External links==
{{LooneyTunesmovies}}
{{sisterlinks|Space jam}}
* {{imdb title|id=0107048|title=Space jam}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|id=groundhog_day|title=Space jam}}
*
* {{rogerebert|id=19930212/REVIEWS/302120302|title=Space jam}} (from ])
* {{rogerebert|id=20050130/REVIEWS08/501300301|title=Space jam}} (from ])
*
*
* to the movie (January 1992)

{{Harold Ramis}}


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Revision as of 22:48, 21 November 2008

It has been suggested that Monstars and Talk:Space Jam#Merge proposal be merged into this article. (Discuss) Proposed since October 2008.
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For other uses, see the motion picture and Space Jam (disambiguation). 1996 film
Space Jam
Directed byJoe Pytka
Written byLeo Benvenuti
Steve Rudnick
Timothy Harris (screenwriter)
Produced byIvan Reitman
StarringMichael Jordan
Wayne Knight
Theresa Randle
Bill Murray
Music byJames Newton Howard
Distributed byWarner Bros.
Release datesNovember 15, 1996 (USA)
Running time87 minutes
LanguageEnglish
Budget$80,000,000 US (est.)

Space Jam is a 1996 American live-action/animated film starring Michael Jordan opposite Bugs Bunny (voiced by Billy West) and the rest of the Looney Tunes characters. It was produced by Ivan Reitman, and directed by Joe Pytka (live-action), Tony Cervone, and Bruce W. Smith (animation). The film was released theatrically by Warner Bros. Family Entertainment on November 15, 1996. The filmwas also converted in a pinball by Sega and a video game by Acclaim Entertainment.

Plot

Aliens called Nerdlucks arrive on Earth to capture the Looney Tunes characters and take them back to Moron Mountain, an outer space theme park belonging to their boss, Mr. Swackhammer, voiced by Danny DeVito, as the theme park is in need of a new attraction. Bugs Bunny convinces the aliens that the Looney Tunes must be allowed to defend themselves. Since the aliens are very short the Looney Tunes challenge them to a basketball game.

File:JJam.JPG
Jordan with the Looney Tunes.

After viewing a reel on basketball and finding out about the NBA, the aliens steal the talent of five NBA stars (Charles Barkley, Patrick Ewing, Muggsy Bogues, Larry Johnson, and Shawn Bradley) and use it to transform themselves into the tall and muscular Monstars. Fortunately, the Monstars haven't stolen the talent of Michael Jordan because he has retired from basketball to pursue a career in baseball (a real-life event). Bugs Bunny gets Jordan to help them in their basketball game as their player-coach. After a hardened battle and despite taking several casualties (Bugs Bunny himself gets injured in the process) and with the timely arrival of Bill Murray, the Looney Tunes manage to win the game and their freedom. Swackhammer berates the Monstars for losing, but then they realize that since they're no longer smaller than him, they don't have to put up with his bullying anymore. They launch Swackhammer into space, and give back the stolen skills through the basketball they got it from, becoming Nerdlucks again. The Nerdlucks ask Bugs Bunny a request to stay in Looney Tune land, to which Daffy and Bugs reluctantly agree once the Nerdlucks demonstrate they're "Looney enough". Jordan then gives back the talent where the "bad players" touch the ball and become normal again. Jordan then decides to return to basketball, mirroring his real-life return.

Many major and minor characters from Looney Tunes shorts make appearances in the movie, and are even joined by Lola Bunny, a female hare that acts as Bugs' love interest.

Reception

Space Jam had a positive critical response overall. Notable critic Roger Ebert gave Space Jam an enthusiastic "thumbs up," which Gene Siskel also gave the film although his zeal was more subdued. Leonard Maltin also gave the film a positive review. Some critics compared it unfavorably to Who Framed Roger Rabbit, a popular film in which cartoon characters and live-action humans coexisted. Those who liked the film praised the visual effects, which were groundbreaking at the time.

The film's soundtrack was popular and highly praised, and it served as a high point for musical artist R. Kelly, whose song "I Believe I Can Fly" became a hit after it was featured on the film's soundtrack. Other tracks included a cover of "Fly Like an Eagle" (by Seal), "Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)" (by B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Man), "Basketball Jones" (by Chris Rock & Barry White), and "For You I Will" (by Monica). The movie's theme song was performed by the Quad City DJ's.

Box office

Despite mixed reviews, Space Jam was a major box office success. In its opening weekend, it grossed $27,528,529 in the United States. At the end of its running, it grossed $90,418,342 in the United States and $230,418,342 worldwide. The film, for a period, was the highest grossing non-Disney animated film but has since been outgrossed by The Rugrats Movie, The Prince of Egypt and The Simpsons Movie.

Cast of NBA players

Aside from Jordan, who plays the lead role, Space Jam contains a liberal amount of appearances by NBA players and coaches. Larry Bird plays golf with Jordan, and when the Monstars steal the NBA players' skills, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick Ewing and the Suns' Charles Barkley to make in-game mistakes. In these scenes, the Knicks' Charles Oakley and Derek Harper and the Suns' A.C. Green, Danny Ainge, and Paul Westphal (coach) are also onscreen.

Later in the film, Ewing and Barkley are joined by the now "gameless" Johnson, Bogues and Bradley. Also, when the Los Angeles Lakers are trying to avoid playing basketball in fear of getting infected, Lakers Vlade Divac, Cedric Ceballos, Anthony Miller, and coach Del Harris make a short cameo. Similar short appearances are also made by NBA players Jeff Malone, Alonzo Mourning, and Sharone Wright and TV commentators Jim Rome and Ahmad Rashad.

In addition, the NBA players make several insider jokes. When Barkley prays to God to give him back his skill, he swears to stop his trash talk and no longer have affairs with Madonna, sending up his image as a tough trash talker and in reference to his own real life affair with the singer. Also, Bradley contemplates becoming a missionary once again, again in reference to his own experiences as a Mormon missionary.

Cast

Voice actors

Awards and nominations

  • 1997 Annie Awards
    • Winner: Best Individual Achievement: Technical Achievement
    • Nomination: Best Animated Feature
    • Nomination: Best Individual Achievement: Directing in a Feature Production (Bruce W. Smith and Tony Cervone)
    • Nomination: Best Individual Achievement: Producing in a Feature Production (Ron Tippe)

Soundtrack

Main article: Space Jam (soundtrack)

Notes

This article contains a list of miscellaneous information. Please relocate any relevant information into other sections or articles. (January 2008)
  • Daffy tells Bugs that they should name their basketball team with Jordan "the Ducks". Bugs replies with his potshot at WB rival Disney: "What kind of Mickey Mouse organization would call a team 'The Ducks'?" - a reference to Disney's The Mighty Ducks (who were also a real team known as "The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim"), as well as Wayne Gretzky's comments concerning the New Jersey Devils in the 1980s.
  • One scene references Pulp Fiction, with Elmer Fudd and Yosemite Sam dressed as men in black as the song "Miserlou" by Dick Dale and the Del-Tones plays in the background.
  • The movie was inspired by Nike commercial which premiered during Super Bowl XXVI featuring Michael and Bugs against Marvin and another alien, and won the 1992 USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter survey. Another shoe commercial is referenced when Larry Johnson says that his grandmother can play better than him (he played his grandmother in an ad for Converse).
  • The character Stan makes this quote: "C'mon, Michael, it's game time. Get your Hanes on, lace up your Nikes, grab your Wheaties and your Gatorade, and we'll pick up a Big Mac on the way to the Ball Park", humorizing Jordan's sports product brand endorsement.
  • When Bill Murray arrives at the game near the end of the movie to help Jordan and the Looney Tunes, he is mistaken for Dan Aykroyd by Mr Swackhammer. Shortly after, Daffy asks Murray about how he arrived, to which Murray replies how he's a friend of the producer and was dropped off. Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd both starred in the popular Ghostbusters franchise of the 80s that Ivan Reitman directed.
  • The plot of the movie is used as backstory to the freeware PC game Barkley, Shut Up and Jam: Gaiden. The basketball in which Barkley and the other players were trapped is used as a plot device, Michael Jordan's past in Space Jam is mentioned several times, as are the Looney Tunes. The Monstars appear in the closing sequence, apparently evil once again.
  • Acclaim also made a video game based on the film
  • The Nerdlucks/Monstars' names are never mentioned throughout the movie, but they are listed in the credits. Several action figures and trading cards also helped people tell which had which name.

References

Notes

  1. "Movie Reviews: Space Jam". Retrieved on 2008-01-23.
  2. Memorable quotes from Space Jam at the Internet Movie Databse

External links

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