“Space Jam: A New Legacy” is a film with a lot of cameos in it. Like “Who Framed Roger Rabbit?”, “Last Action Hero” and “Ready Player One” before it, this film is packed with appearances by characters from other franchises. Here’s a list of several cameos/references that seem fairly odd.
- Casablanca
“Casablanca” is undeniably a cinematic classic. However, I didn’t expect to see it referenced here. The “Looney Tunes” already spoofed “Casablanca” in the wonderful “Carrotblanca”. I felt “Carrotblanca” did pretty much everything you could do with Bugs and the gang being in “Casablanca” so this brief reference in a “Space Jam” sequel just felt unnecessary.
- Austin Powers
We’re now getting into the territory of references that seem somewhat inappropriate. The “Austin Powers” films are known for their raunchy humour. While they’re very juvenile, they’re not the kind of films I imagine many parents would happily show kids.
- It
A lot of kids (and adults) are afraid of clowns so it’s kind of shocking to see Pennywise from “It” pop up in the background. While he’s never the centre of any shot, he is noticeable. I can just imagine some kids will be having restless nights.
- Training Day
We hear a sanitised version of the famous King Kong line from “Training Day”. While the line kind of works since King Kong also appears in this “Space Jam” sequel, I just thought it was weird to make the connection at all. “Training Day” is of course a gritty cop drama; not the kind of film many kids are going to know quotes from.
- A Clockwork Orange
If you’re making a family movie about cartoon characters playing basketball, maybe don’t reference a 1970s sci-fi flick with sex, assault, rape, murder and torture. The filmmakers of “Space Jam: A New Legacy” somehow thought it was a good idea to feature the droogs from “A Clockwork Orange”. Now, that is a truly baffling decision.