Space Jam
Encyclopedia
Aside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird
portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, 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 offscreen.
Later in the film, Ewing and Barkley are joined by the now "extremely talent-less" Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues
and Shawn 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 Jeff Malone
, Alonzo Mourning
, and Sharone Wright
and TV commentators Jim Rome
and Ahmad Rashād
. During the part of the movie when Jordan returns to the Chicago Bulls
, they play the Orlando Magic
where Shaquille O'Neal
can be seen running for the ball.
, only 37% of critics, and 46% of their selected "Top Critics", gave the film a positive review; this gave it a "Rotten" rating. 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 Disney's 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. However, many criticized the film for being an over the top attempt to market the NBA to children.
The soundtrack
sold enough albums to be certified as 6x Platinum. It also 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
.
Larry Bird
Larry Joe Bird is a former American NBA basketball player and coach. Drafted into the NBA sixth overall by the Boston Celtics in 1978, Bird started at small forward and power forward for thirteen seasons, spearheading one of the NBA's most formidable frontcourts that included center Robert Parish...
portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
and the New York Knicks
New York Knicks
The New York Knickerbockers, prominently known as the Knicks, are a professional basketball team based in New York City. They are part of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association...
, causing the Knicks' Patrick Ewing
Patrick Ewing
Patrick Aloysius Ewing Sr. is a Jamaican-American retired Hall of Fame basketball player and current assistant coach for the National Basketball Association's Orlando Magic. He played most of his career with the NBA's New York Knicks as their starting center and played briefly with the Seattle...
and the Suns' Charles Barkley
Charles Barkley
Charles Wade Barkley is a former American professional basketball player. Nicknamed "Sir Charles" and "The Round Mound of Rebound", Barkley established himself as one of the National Basketball Association's most dominating power forwards...
to make in-game mistakes. In these scenes, the Knicks' Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley
Charles Oakley is a retired American professional basketball player and is currently an assistant coach for the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association...
and Derek Harper
Derek Harper
Derek Ricardo Harper is a retired American professional basketball player from the University of Illinois, who spent 16 seasons as a point guard in the National Basketball Association with the Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and Los Angeles Lakers.-College:After graduating from...
and the Suns' A. C. Green
A. C. Green
A.C. Green, Jr., is a retired American NBA basketball player who played in more consecutive games than any other player in NBA and ABA history. With 1,192 straight games played, he earned the nickname "Iron Man". He played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat...
, Danny Ainge
Danny Ainge
Daniel Ray "Danny" Ainge is an American basketball manager and retired professional basketball and baseball player, currently serving as President of Basketball Operations for the Boston Celtics....
, and Paul Westphal
Paul Westphal
Paul Westphal is a retired American basketball player and current head coach of the National Basketball Association's Sacramento Kings. Westphal has had a storied career in the NBA, both as a player and as a coach. As a player, he won an NBA championship with the Boston Celtics in the 1974 NBA...
(coach) are also offscreen.
Later in the film, Ewing and Barkley are joined by the now "extremely talent-less" Larry Johnson, Muggsy Bogues
Muggsy Bogues
Tyrone Curtis "Muggsy" Bogues is a retired American professional basketball player and former head coach of the now-defunct Charlotte Sting of the Women's National Basketball Association . The shortest player ever to play in the NBA, the Bogues played point guard for four teams during his...
and Shawn Bradley
Shawn Bradley
Shawn Paul Bradley is a retired American and German basketball player who played center for the Philadelphia 76ers, the New Jersey Nets and the Dallas Mavericks in the National Basketball Association. At tall, Bradley was one of the tallest players in NBA history...
. Also, when the Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles, California. They play in the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association...
are trying to avoid playing basketball in fear of getting infected, Lakers Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac
Vlade Divac is a retired Yugoslav and Serbian professional basketball player who spent most of his career in the NBA. At , he played center and was known for his passing skills...
, Cedric Ceballos
Cedric Ceballos
Cedric Z. Ceballos is an American professional basketball player. As a small forward, he played most notably for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Phoenix Suns, later finishing his NBA career with the Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons and Miami Heat.Ceballos attended college at Ventura College and...
, Anthony Miller
Anthony Miller (basketball)
Anthony "Pig" Miller is an American professional basketball player who was selected by Golden State Warriors in the 2nd round of the 1994 NBA Draft....
, and coach Del Harris
Del Harris
Delmer William Harris is a basketball coach, currently the head coach for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League. He was an assistant coach for the NBA's New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Mavericks...
make a short cameo. Similar short appearances are also made by Jeff Malone
Jeff Malone
Jeffrey Nigel Malone is a retired American professional basketball player. He played college basketball at Mississippi State University, and is mostly known for his time with the Washington Bullets of the NBA, where he was an NBA All-Star twice, playing the shooting guard position...
, Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Mourning
Alonzo Harding Mourning, Jr. is a former American professional basketball player, who played most of his 15-year NBA career for the Miami Heat....
, and Sharone Wright
Sharone Wright
Sharone Addaryl Wright is a retired American professional basketball player.He played collegiately at Clemson University from 1990 until 1994....
and TV commentators Jim Rome
Jim Rome
Jim Rome is an American sports radio talk show host syndicated by Premiere Radio Networks, a subsidiary of Clear Channel Communications....
and Ahmad Rashād
Ahmad Rashad
Ahmad Rashād is an American sportscaster and former professional football player. An All-American running back and wide receiver from Oregon known as Bobby Moore, Rashad was the fourth overall pick in the 1972 NFL Draft, drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals...
. During the part of the movie when Jordan returns to the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, they play the Orlando Magic
Orlando Magic
The Orlando Magic is a professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. They play in the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association and are currently coached by Stan Van Gundy...
where Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille O'Neal
Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal , nicknamed "Shaq" , is a former American professional basketball player. Standing tall and weighing , he was one of the heaviest players ever to play in the NBA...
can be seen running for the ball.
Critical response
Space Jam received mixed reviews. According to Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
, only 37% of critics, and 46% of their selected "Top Critics", gave the film a positive review; this gave it a "Rotten" rating. Notable critic Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Roger Joseph Ebert is an American film critic and screenwriter. He is the first film critic to win a Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.Ebert is known for his film review column and for the television programs Sneak Previews, At the Movies with Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert, and Siskel and Ebert and The...
gave Space Jam an enthusiastic "thumbs up," which Gene Siskel
Gene Siskel
Eugene Kal "Gene" Siskel was an American film critic and journalist for the Chicago Tribune. Along with colleague Roger Ebert, he hosted the popular review show Siskel & Ebert At the Movies from 1975 until his death....
also gave the film, although his zeal was more subdued. Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin
Leonard Maltin is an American film and animated film critic and historian, author of several mainstream books on cinema, focusing on nostalgic, celebratory narratives.-Personal life:...
also gave the film a positive review. Some critics compared it unfavorably to Disney's Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Who Framed Roger Rabbit
Who Framed Roger Rabbit is a 1988 American fantasy-comedy-noir film directed by Robert Zemeckis and released by Touchstone Pictures. The film combines live action and animation, and is based on Gary K. Wolf's novel Who Censored Roger Rabbit?, which depicts a world in which cartoon characters...
, 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. However, many criticized the film for being an over the top attempt to market the NBA to children.
The soundtrack
Space Jam (soundtrack)
- Album singles :...
sold enough albums to be certified as 6x Platinum. It also served as a high point for musical artist R. Kelly
R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
, whose song "I Believe I Can Fly
I Believe I Can Fly
"I Believe I Can Fly" is a 1996 song by R&B singer R. Kelly. The song was written, produced and performed by Kelly and was featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 film Space Jam. The song later appeared on Kelly's 1998 album R.....
" became a hit after it was featured on the film's soundtrack. Other tracks included a cover of "Fly Like an Eagle
Fly Like an Eagle (song)
"Fly Like an Eagle" is a song written by Steve Miller and by Steve Miller Band guitarist Steve McCarty on the album Fly Like an Eagle. The song went to number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart during the week of January 8, 1977. The single edit can be found on Greatest Hits . The song has an...
" (by Seal
Seal (musician)
Seal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
), "Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)
Hit 'Em High (The Monstars' Anthem)
"Hit 'Em High " is a 1996 hip hop song performed by B-Real, Busta Rhymes, Coolio, LL Cool J, and Method Man from the Space Jam Soundtrack. Though the movie received mixed reviews, the soundtrack was a 1990's rap movement breakthrough. It failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100, but was hugely...
" (by B-Real
B-Real
Louis Freese, better known by his stage name B-Real, is an American rapper of Cuban and Mexican heritage, and a film and TV actor...
, Busta Rhymes
Busta Rhymes
Trevor Tahiem Smith, Jr., better known by his stage name Busta Rhymes ,Smith is an American rapper, producer and actor. Chuck D of Public Enemy gave him the alias Busta Rhymes after NFL wide receiver George "Buster" Rhymes...
, Coolio
Coolio
Artis Leon Ivey Jr. , better known by the stage name Coolio, is an American musician, rapper, actor and record producer.-Late 80s:He recorded two singles in the late 80s, titled "Watcha Gonna Do" and "You're Gonna Miss Me"...
, LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
, and Method Man
Method Man
Clifford Smith , better known by his stage name Method Man is an American hip hop artist, record producer, actor and member of the hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan. He took his stage name from the 1979 film The Fearless Young Boxer, also known as Method Man. He is one half of the rap duo Method Man...
), "Basketball Jones
Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces
"Basketball Jones featuring Tyrone Shoelaces" is a song by Cheech and Chong that first appeared on the 1973 album Los Cochinos.Sung in falsetto by Cheech Marin, playing the title character Tyrone Shoelaces, it told the story of Shoelaces' love of basketball. It was a parody of the song "Love...
" (by Chris Rock
Chris Rock
Christopher Julius "Chris" Rock III is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. He was voted in the US as the 5th greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central...
& Barry White
Barry White
Barry White, born Barry Eugene Carter , was an American composer and singer-songwriter.A five-time Grammy Award-winner known for his distinctive bass voice and romantic image, White's greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring...
), and "For You I Will
For You I Will (Monica song)
"For You I Will" is a pop ballad written by Diane Warren and performed by Monica. Her version was included on the soundtrack to the film Space Jam. In 1997, when released as a single, the song became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as Billboards R&B chart. It also experienced some...
" (by Monica
Monica (singer)
Monica Denise Brown , and professionally known as Monica, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in College Park, Georgia, Monica began performing as a child and became part of a traveling gospel choir, by the time she was ten...
). The movie's theme song was performed by the Quad City DJ's
Quad City DJ's
Quad City DJ's was the music artist and producer duo of C.C. Lemonhead and Jay Ski , who produced the Miami bass hit "C'mon N' Ride It " in 1995. Female singer JeLana LaFleur also contributed vocals to many of their songs.The two first partnered in 1992 during high school in Jacksonville, Florida...
.
Box office
Despite the mixed reviews, Space Jam was a box office success. At the end of its run, it grossed $90,418,342 in the United States and over $230,000,000 internationally.Awards and nominations
- 1997 and 1998 ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
- Won: Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures (Diane WarrenDiane WarrenDiane Eve Warren , is a US songwriter. Her songs have received six Academy Award nominations, five Golden Globe nominations, including one win and seven Grammy Award nominations, including one win. She was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2001...
for the song For You I WillFor You I Will (Monica song)"For You I Will" is a pop ballad written by Diane Warren and performed by Monica. Her version was included on the soundtrack to the film Space Jam. In 1997, when released as a single, the song became a top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 as well as Billboards R&B chart. It also experienced some...
) - Won: Top Box Office Films (James Newton HowardJames Newton HowardJames Newton Howard is an American composer best known for his scores to motion pictures. He is one of the most popular and respected composers for cinema, and has scored over 100 films...
)
- Won: Most Performed Songs from Motion Pictures (Diane Warren
- 1997 Annie Awards
- Won: Best Individual Achievement: Technical Achievement
- Nomination: Best Animated Feature
- Nomination: Best Individual Achievement: Directing in a Feature Production (Bruce W. SmithBruce W. SmithBruce W. Smith is an American character animator, film director, and television producer, best known as the creator of Disney's The Proud Family....
and Tony Cervone) - Nomination: Best Individual Achievement: Producing in a Feature Production (Ron Tippe)
- 1998 Grammy Awards
- Won: Best Song Written Specifically for Motion Picture or for Television (R. KellyR. KellyRobert Sylvester Kelly , better known by his stage name R. Kelly, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer. A native of Chicago, Kelly began performing during the late 1980s and debuted in 1992 with the group Public Announcement. In 1993, Kelly went solo with the album 12 Play...
) (For the Song I Believe I Can FlyI Believe I Can Fly"I Believe I Can Fly" is a 1996 song by R&B singer R. Kelly. The song was written, produced and performed by Kelly and was featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 film Space Jam. The song later appeared on Kelly's 1998 album R.....
)
- Won: Best Song Written Specifically for Motion Picture or for Television (R. Kelly
- 1997 MTV Movie AwardsMTV Movie AwardsThe MTV Movie Awards is a film awards show presented annually on MTV . It also contains movie parodies that used official movie footage with hosts and other celebrities and music performances. The nominees are decided by producers and executives at MTV. Winners are decided online by the general...
- Nomination: Best Movie Song (R.Kelly) (For the Song I Believe I Can FlyI Believe I Can Fly"I Believe I Can Fly" is a 1996 song by R&B singer R. Kelly. The song was written, produced and performed by Kelly and was featured on the soundtrack to the 1996 film Space Jam. The song later appeared on Kelly's 1998 album R.....
)
- Nomination: Best Movie Song (R.Kelly) (For the Song I Believe I Can Fly
- 1997 Satellite AwardsSatellite AwardsThe Satellite Awards are an annual award given by the International Press Academy. The awards were originally known as the Golden Satellite Awards.- Film :*Best Actor – Drama*Best Actor – Musical or Comedy*Best Actress – Drama...
- Nomination: Best Motion Picture- Animated or Mixed Media (Danial Goldberg, Joe MedjuckJoe MedjuckJoseph Medjuck is a Canadian-born film producer in Hollywood.Medjuck was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is a graduate of McGill University, and the University of Toronto where he also taught for twelve years...
, Ivan ReitmanIvan ReitmanIvan Reitman, OC is a Canadian film producer and director. He is known for the comedies he has directed and produced, especially in the 1980s and 1990s.He is the owner of The Montecito Picture Company, founded in 2000.-Early life:...
)
- Nomination: Best Motion Picture- Animated or Mixed Media (Danial Goldberg, Joe Medjuck
- 1998 World Animation Celebration
- Won: Best Use of Animation in a Motion Picture Trailer
- 1997 Young Artist Awards
- Nomination: Best Family Feature- Animation or Special Effects