At the Movies: Hypocrisy in the New ‘Space Jam’ Movie? – San Clemente Times

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By Megan Bianco

Nostalgia and outdated pop culture are a heck of a combination, and usually one that doesnt end too well. Warner Bros. reboot of Joe Pytkas cult comedy Space Jam (1996) looks to be testing this formula as far as it can go, based on the new trailer for Malcolm D. Lees Space Jam: A New Legacy.

But before we could joke about the sequel being an obvious, easy cash grab, some highly distracting and possibly obtuse hypocrisy in the trailer was quickly acknowledged on social media.

Unlike the first film, which featured all the classic Looney Tunes characters, plus some new cartoon faces alongside basketball superstar Michael Jordan, this new flick is tossing everything at the wall and including nearly all of the properties the studio currently owns next to LeBron James.

This would be only amusingly obvious if it werent for some more controversial character cameos also spotted in the new trailer. The Droogs from Stanley Kubricks A Clockwork Orange (1971), the War Boys of George Millers Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) and the White Walkers of HBOs Game of Thrones (2011-19).

The first two are from R-rated movies and the third from a TV-MA cable series, and all feature graphic violent content. Why are these characters making appearances in a family-friendly fantasy-comedy?

These additions are not only peculiar, but almost hilariously bewildering after Warner and Lee went out of their way to claim the new movie would be more progressive by portraying Lola Bunny as less sexy and more girl power-heavy, plus snubbing Pepe Le Pews presence.

Pepes absence is not surprising, since the characters schtick is very dated. Watching some of the old Pepe cartoon shorts contemporarily on YouTube, it is a little awkward to see the skunk so physically up in the cats personal space while shes not interested in him at all, even if the gag is toward his delusion.

For generally politically incorrect content in their classic cartoons, Warner Bros. usually begins the shorts with a special disclaimer as a warning and reminder that the studios current views arent relevant to a half-century ago.

This is generally a tactic I prefer over a studio such as Disney that has a habit of hiding its controversial material as if it doesnt exist.

But if thats the route Warner Bros. is choosing to go with Pepe Le Pew this time around, at least be genuine with it and dont make it completely obvious that its only performative when you feature R-rated famous movie/TV characters inappropriately in a PG-rated comedy.

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At the Movies: Hypocrisy in the New 'Space Jam' Movie? - San Clemente Times