Space Jam
It's Mighty Monday and Ryan is here to help us chat about the 1996 classic sports movie, Space Jam. ABOUT SPACE JAM:In a desperate attempt to win a basketball match and earn their freedom, the Looney Tunes seek the aid of retired basketball champion, Michael Jordan.AIR DATE & NETWORK FOR SPACE JAM:November 15, 1996 | TheatersCAST & CREW OF SPACE JAM:Michael Jordan as HimselfBilly West as Bugs BunnyWayne Knight as Stan PodolakBill Murray as HimselfLarry Bird as HimselfCharles Barkley as HimselfPatrick Ewing as HimselfMuggsy Bogues as HimselfLarry Johnson as HimselfShawn Bradley as HimselfBRAN'S SPACE JAM SYNOPSIS:Little Michael Jordan is up late, playing basketball outside. His dad tells him to keep shooting until he misses. Michael says he wants to play ball at North Carolina. As he runs toward the hoop and jumps, the scene transitions to adult MJ jumping, leading into a 5+ minute highlight reel of Jordan clips. Honestly, it could’ve been an hour longer and I still would’ve been in.Michael then retires from basketball, and we transition to outer space. We’re dropped onto Moron Mountain, a struggling amusement park. Its owner, Mr. Swackhammer, decides the best course of action is to kidnap the Looney Tunes to be the park’s new attraction. His little henchmen head to Earth to hold the Tunes hostage, but Bugs Bunny convinces them to allow the Tunes to defend themselves, challenging them to a basketball game since the aliens are so small.After seeing a documentary about basketball and learning there are professionals, the aliens travel to Earth and steal the talents of Charles Barkley, Shawn Bradley, Patrick Ewing, Larry Johnson, and Muggsy Bogues. Using this talent, they transform into giant, baller versions of themselves known as the Monstars.When the Looney Tunes see how big the Monstars are, they realize they need help. They need the greatest to ever do it: Michael Jordan.They track MJ down at the golf course and literally pull him through a hole. Honestly, MJ handles it surprisingly well and he’s in.Back on Earth, the real NBA players discover they’ve lost their ability to play, leading the league to suspend the season until they figure out what’s happening.It’s time for the big game, and the Monstars dominate the first half. The Tune Squad is devastated.During halftime, MJ’s assistant Stan (who showed up earlier in the movie) learns how the Monstars stole the players’ talent. This discourages the Tunes even more—until Bugs pulls out MJ’s “secret stuff,” which is just water, but convinces the squad to believe in themselves.MJ raises the stakes with Swackhammer, as only he would: if the Tune Squad wins, the Monstars return the stolen talent. If the Monstars win, Jordan will spend the rest of his life as Moron Mountain’s newest attraction.The Tunes fight back, but with only ten seconds left, they’re down to four players. Luckily, Bill Murray shows up to even things out.In the final moments, Jordan talks to Bugs, uses cartoon physics, stretches his arm across the court, and slam-dunks for the win.After Swackhammer berates the Monstars, Jordan helps them realize they only served him because they were small. Fed up, the Monstars stuff Swackhammer into a missile and launch him to the moon. They then relinquish the stolen talent and decide to stay with the Tunes.Meanwhile, Jordan and Stan return to Earth, restoring the NBA stars’ abilities. Their encouragement convinces Jordan to return to the league—and the rest is history.
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