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Space Jam: A New Legacy Is A Slam Dunk

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3 years ago

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On July 16th, “Space Jam: A New Legacy” dribbled its way down the court to movie theatres and HBO Max. A long-anticipated sequel to the 1996 original (which celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year), the film follows NBA star LeBron James (as Himself) as he joins forces with the classic Looney Tunes characters to bring down the dastardly Al G Rhythm (Don Cheadle). Rounding out the live-action cast are Cedric Joe as Dominic “Dom” James, Sonequa Martin-Green as Kamiyah James, and NBA players Anthony Davis as The Brow, Damian Lillard as Chronos, Klay Thompson as Wet-Fire, Nneka Ogwumike as Arachnneka, and Diana Taurasi as White Mamba. Rounding out the impeccable voice cast of the immortal Tune Squad are Jeff Bergman (Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, Yosemite Sam), Eric Bauza (Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Foghorn Leghorn, Elmer Fudd, and Marvin the Martian), Zendaya (Lola Bunny), Bob Bergen (Tweety), Candi Milo (Granny), Gabriel Iglesias (Speedy Gonzales), and Fred Tatasciore (Taz).

The film begins with a 25-minute introduction to LeBron James and the fictionalized version of his family portrayed in the film. After a montage comprised of James’ many achievements in the NBA, we are introduced to his son, Dom (a fictionalized version of James’ real-life son, Bryce). Dom is an aspiring video game designer and holds a true passion for his craft. This is upsetting to LeBron, as he wants his son to follow in his footsteps. After an argument during a meeting with LeBron at Warner Bros Studios, the two are uploaded into the Warner Bros. “Server-Verse” by the server’s charismatic, but a vengeful algorithm, Al G Rhythm (Seem silly enough yet?). LeBron is dumped into the Looney Tunes portion of the WB server, while Dom is taken under Al G’s wing in the hopes that he can design a new video basketball game to challenge LeBron and give Al G the recognition he always desired.

While the introduction nearly slows the film to a screeching halt, it takes an incredible turn for the better when we are introduced to Bugs and the rest of the toons. Despite being a cartoon, Jeff Bergman’s performance as Bugs proves to be one of the most human things about the film. The usual humor is there, but this is a Bugs we are not used to seeing. Having been abandoned by his fellow Looney Toons to pursue careers in other universes belonging to Warner IP (i.e. Mad Max, The Matrix, Harry Potter, etc.), Bugs is left to reflect on his life, his purpose, even his own mortality.

While many critics have called this film unoriginal and an excuse to further promote their brand, I felt this was the smartest way to draw newer audiences in that may not be as familiar with the original Space Jam. We all loved when they did it in The LEGO Movie and its spinoffs, why not here? To me, having the characters exploring the different universes through an internet server and coming together for one big climactic showdown made much more sense than the Looney Tunes universe being buried deep beneath the parking lot of an Alabama Piggly Wiggly (This actually happened in the original film). Another standout would have to be Lebron James himself. Going in I had my doubts, as athletes typically don’t make great actors, but he commanded the screen both physically and vocally, as his character is animated for the entire second act of the film. I also would not be doing this film justice if I didn’t call out the incomparable Eric Bauza. He not only reigns in the laughs as Daffy, Porky, Foghorn, and Marvin, but his inflections are so seamless, you’d think Mel Blanc himself had returned.

All in all, Space Jam: A New Legacy is a massive, colorful, CGI-loaded party that any die-hard Warner Bros. fan can enjoy. Highly recommended.

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Paramount+ Reveals Official Main Title Sequence for the Upcoming Series TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES

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10 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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During the TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES panel earlier today at San Diego Comic Con, Paramount+ revealed the official main title sequence for the series. The sequence is composed by EMMY® nominee, Matt Mahaffey, known for his work on Sanjay and Craig, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie and much more. 

From the studios of the Mutant Mayhem film, the all-new Paramount+ original series TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES explores the adventures of everyone’s favorite pizza-loving heroes as they emerge from the sewers onto the streets of NYC. Leo, Raph, Donnie and Mikey are faced with new threats and team up with old allies to survive both teenage life and villains lurking in the shadows of the Big Apple. The series is produced by Nickelodeon Animation and Point Grey Pictures.

TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES is executive produced by Chris Yost (The Mandalorian, Thor: Ragnarok) and Alan Wan (Blue Eye Samurai, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [2012 Series]). Production is overseen for Nickelodeon by Claudia Spinelli, Senior Vice President, TV Series Animation, Nickelodeon, and Nikki Price, Director of Development and Executive in Charge of Production.

In addition to the upcoming new series, stream all things Turtles on Paramount+.

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Comic-Con 2024: Those About to Die Activation

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12 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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DISNEY+ CASTS DANIEL DIEMER AS FAN-FAVORITE ‘TYSON’IN SEASON TWO OF “PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS”

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13 hours ago

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July 26, 2024

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 in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con, Rick Riordan and Disney+ revealed that Daniel Diemer (“Under the Bridge”) will star as fan-favorite cyclops “Tyson” in the epic adventure series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” Diemer joins Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson), Leah Sava Jeffries (Annabeth Chase) and Aryan Simhadri (Grover Underwood) as a series regular. The Disney+ Original series from Disney Branded Television and 20th Television will start filming its second season next week in Vancouver.

Season two of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is based on the second installment of Disney Hyperion’s best-selling book series titled “The Sea of Monsters” by award-winning author Rick Riordan. In the new season, Percy Jackson returns to Camp Half-Blood one year later to find his world turned upside down. His friendship with Annabeth is changing, he learns he has a cyclops for a brother, Grover has gone missing, and camp is under siege from the forces of Kronos. Percy’s journey to set things right will take him off the map and into the deadly Sea of Monsters, where a secret fate awaits the son of Poseidon.

Diemer stars as Tyson – a young Cyclops who grew up all alone on the streets, and finds it difficult to survive in the human world.  Shy and awkward, with a heart almost as big as he is, Tyson soon discovers that Poseidon is his father, which means Percy Jackson is his half-brother… and that Tyson may have finally found a home. 

Diemer recently starred in the Hulu limited series “Under the Bridge” based off the critically acclaimed book of the same name and a tragic true story of a missing teen girl in Vancouver in 1997. He will next star in the indie “Thug” opposite Liam Neeson and Ron Perlman for director Hans Petter Moland. Daniel was recently seen as the lead in the indie “Supercell” opposite Alec Baldwin and Skeet Ulrich and the lead in the film “Little Brother” opposite Phil Ettinger and JK Simmons. Daniel can also be seen in the Netflix series “The Midnight Club” and recently starred as the male lead in the breakout hit Netflix feature “The Half Of It” from producer Anthony Bregman and director Alice Wu. He is a graduate of Victoria Academy of Dramatic Arts in Vancouver.

Created by Rick Riordan and Jonathan E. Steinberg, season two of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is executive produced by Steinberg and Dan Shotz alongside Rick Riordan, Rebecca Riordan, Craig Silverstein, The Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Bert Salke, The Gotham Group’s Jeremy Bell and D.J. Goldberg, James Bobin, Jim Rowe, Albert Kim, Jason Ensler and Sarah Watson.

The first season of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is available on Disney+

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