Space Jam

Review by Thomas Glorieux:

In a time where music celebrities, models and sport stars enter the American movie screen, it is without doubt a question of taste of who you accept the most. But I always thought that Michael Jordan acted very normal and relaxed, not overdoing the show in the hilarious movie Space Jam. So, in the case of acting, it was a successful move. Now, those that wonder how the music would sound like have to ask one question: is it Looney Tune music? And the answer would be YES. People that disliked the famous Mickey mouse style in either movie or direction will not see eye to eye with the sound of James Newton Howard in Space Jam. Because if anything, the score sounded superbly in the movie but so difficult to enjoy on soundtrack. You know the Carl Stalling sound because we all grew up with it, and that's exactly what you get with this score. All well when you receive the portion right in the movie because then it fits and clicks but this is not enjoyable when departed from the movie. So Space Jam is a forgettable score if you simply can't stand Mickey Mouse music, no more Looney Tunes' music.

First of all to remember is that besides the Looney music, Space Jam still has some good moments and those are welcome at the end of the score. The first tracks have some better moments and the best 2 minutes of score is heard in 'The Ultimate Game' which starts with the Monstars' theme (performed on electric guitar to give it that rough edge) and offers the fan a short but amusing fanfare (around 1.30). Also some better moments are heard in the duo track 'You the Duck' and 'The Winning Shot'. But mainly the rest is based on two things, the occasional fanfare with the load of wacky tones that precedes or follows it. This is sad and basically they all work one way or another on your nerve. The occasional hint is nice like the Pulp Fiction moment or the famous memorial like theme but mostly it is tune after tune of the same old Mickey mouse chase music. Really it makes the film more crazy than it already was but most people will not enjoy this and then the score is obsolete. Compare it with the style used in the first portion of Atlantis but more Mickey Mouse sounding and the stir of style a la John Debney in Liar Liar (which still holds a fine line of thematic sense). Space Jam is neither of these two and could work in a cartoon like that. "Hey, wait a minute, it already works in a cartoon!"

And if those are wondering what the best moments are of Mickey Mouse music, then see either 'Michael in Tuneland' or 'Stealing the Shorts' as your finest answers to the question. Space Jam is not bad music but it is hard music, hard music to appreciate and hard music to listen to, just because it doesn't bring satisfaction. The occasional stir of thematic material, the occasional interpretation of style (by that meaning the love music on saxophone or French accordion music) is perhaps a nice change of pace but it doesn't work without the visuals and by that it is annoying. I also find it hard to mention that if you are interested in hearing the score, you have to check out the movie. That is exactly what I did and by the time I came to my senses, it was already lying in my mailbox. The score is so perfect for the movie that it needs the movie to be satisfying. I am not disappointed that I have the score but it is one I hardly listen at and isn't giving me satisfaction like other scores do in its place. Space Jam is a jam of tones, and those that will try out its thematic motivation will become in no time the Looney tune of their village, in other words the village idiot. Don't say I didn't warn you.

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Tracks

Single Disc

1. Main Titles (0.36)

2. Moron Mountain (1.30)

3. Back To Earth (0.37)

4. We Seek Bugs Bunny (2.06)

5. Charles * (1.33)

6. Tuneland Meeting (1.27)

7. General Bugs (1.23)

8. Alien Transformation (1.39)

9. Hole In One (0.39)

10. Michael In Tuneland (2.18)

11. Spit Shine (0.54)

12. The Monstars (2.06)

13. The Tunes Practice (2.25)

14. Stealing The Shorts (4.18)

15. The Ultimate Game (3.58)

16. Monstars Locker Room (1.06)

17. Secret Stuff (1.27)

18. The Second Half (2.21)

19. You Get Me (1.18)

20. Crush 'Em (4.13)

21. You The Duck (1.24)

22. The Winning Shot (1.13)

23. Gimme The Ball (2.25)

24. Not Good At Cheatin' * (1.25)

25. Michael Jordan Returns (1.18)

* Portions include interpolations of "I Turn to You", music by Diane Warren

Total Length: 45.57

The use of artwork or photos is posted for non profitable reasons

=== Link to Composer Site: James Newton Howard ===