Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

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Screenwise Verdict

Space Jam: A New Legacy is what happens when a studio looks at a beloved 90s nostalgia property and asks, 'How can we turn this into a two-hour advertisement for our entire IP catalog?' The father-son story about LeBron learning to support Dom's game-design dreams is genuinely sweet and could have been meaningful, but it's suffocated by relentless Warner Bros brand integration.

Every five minutes there's another cameo from Harry Potter, The Matrix, DC superheroes, Game of Thrones—you name it. It's less a movie and more a corporate sizzle reel with a basketball game attached. The Looney Tunes, who should be the stars, feel like afterthoughts. The pacing is exhausting, the runtime bloated, and the whole thing feels algorithmically generated rather than crafted with care.

It's safe and won't upset anyone, but it's also unlikely to delight anyone either. Kids might enjoy the bright colors and cartoons for a bit, but even they'll probably get bored. Parents hoping to share the magic of the original Space Jam should just... watch the original Space Jam. This one's a hard pass unless you're really desperate for something to put on during a rainy afternoon and have literally exhausted every other option.

Age Fit

Best for ages 7-11 who like basketball, video games, or Looney Tunes—but honestly, even that age range might find it tedious. Teens will roll their eyes at the cringe factor, and younger kids may be overwhelmed by the visual chaos.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

62

Features a father-son relationship at its core with themes about supporting your child's passions even when they differ from your own. LeBron learns to accept Dom's interest in game design over basketball. However, the film is chaotic and frenetic, with constant product placement and Warner Bros IP bombardment that undermines emotional resonance. The pacing is exhausting rather than balanced, and the Looney Tunes characters are more background noise than meaningful contributors to the story's heart.

Imaginative

48

The digital 'Serververse' concept and mixing animation with live-action offers some visual creativity, but the execution is a two-hour Warner Bros IP advertisement rather than genuine imagination. The film references dozens of WB properties (Matrix, Harry Potter, DC, etc.) in a way that feels more like corporate synergy than storytelling. Dom's game-design subplot could have been interesting but is underdeveloped. The original Space Jam had quirky charm; this feels algorithmically generated to maximize brand exposure.

Safe

78

Family-friendly with no major content concerns—no gore, sexuality, or intense violence. The basketball game has cartoonish slapstick typical of Looney Tunes. The 'rogue AI' villain (Al-G Rhythm) is mildly menacing but not scary. No surprise traumatic content. The main safety issue is the relentless commercialism and screen-within-screen meta nature that might be disorienting, but nothing that would shock or upset a young viewer.

Enriching

42

The father-son dynamic about respecting different talents and interests has some merit, and Dom's passion for coding/game design is portrayed positively. However, these themes are buried under two hours of product placement and celebrity cameos. The film doesn't meaningfully explore technology, creativity, or teamwork—it just uses them as window dressing. Kids won't come away with new insights or skills, just brand recognition. Entertainment value is also questionable; TMDB rating of 6.7/10 suggests even audiences found it mediocre.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Father-son story about accepting your kid's passions (even when they're not yours) has genuine heart buried in there somewhere
Dom's interest in game design and coding is portrayed as legitimate and cool, not dismissed
Looney Tunes characters in HD might appeal to nostalgic parents wanting to share Bugs Bunny with kids
Safe, harmless entertainment that won't traumatize anyone—just possibly bore them

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What to Watch For

Absolutely relentless product placement—every Warner Bros property makes a cameo, from Harry Potter to The Matrix to DC heroes, making it feel like a corporate showcase
Chaotic, overstimulating visuals and pacing that's exhausting rather than fun
Kids unfamiliar with the original Space Jam won't have nostalgia to carry them through; those who loved the 1996 version will probably be disappointed
At nearly two hours, it drags—younger kids may lose interest

Conversation Starters

"LeBron wanted Dom to play basketball, but Dom loved making games. Have you ever felt pressure to do something your parents wanted instead of what you loved?"
"Dom created a whole video game! What would your dream game look like if you could design anything?"
"The movie showed a bunch of other movies and characters. How many did you recognize? Did all those cameos make it more fun or just confusing?"

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