"Space Jam," starring MICHAEL JORDAN, with his agent DAVID
FALK as Executive Producer, opens today nationwide. Following
are reviews of the film and Jordan's performance:
AWAY WE GO: In Chicago, Michael Wilmington: "As a movie
actor, Jordan has presence and stature, camera sense and a good,
low-key delivery. But the writers don't really give him a
character to play" (CHICAGO TRIBUNE, 11/15). In New York, Janet
Maslin calls "Space Jam" a "frantic, innovative mixture of
animation technologies and a fan magazine full of adulation for
Michael Jordan. He handles the tribute with regal bearing and
good grace." Maslin notes "crammed with pop and sports
references, the film also kids about its own crassness. One
character succeeds in plugging Hanes, Wheaties, Gatorade and a
Big Mac in a single sentence" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/15). In New York,
Jami Bernard: "Jordan's apparently innate, Disneyesque sweetness
contrasts nicely with the duck and bunny cynicism that makes the
'toons such a breath of fresh air" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/15). USA
TODAY's Mike Clark notes Jordan is "attractive enough on screen
to counteract the reality that he hasn't siphoned off much acting
talent" (USA TODAY, 11/15). NEWSDAY's John Anderson notes the
film "may be a bit too intent on presenting Jordan as a sports
celeb of destiny ... the movie gets positively religious about
it" (NEWSDAY, 11/15). In Calgary, Martin Morrow writes "the best
that can be said is [Jordan] does a pretty good job of being
himself" (CALGARY HERALD, 11/15). In Charlotte, Lawrence
Toppman: "If you think Michael Jordan can do no wrong, close the
paper now" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 11/15). In Detroit, Terry
Lawson: "You don't ask Michael Jordan to be the setup man in a
game -- comedy -- to which he seems even less suited than
baseball" (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 11/15). In Ottawa, Jay Stone calls
the film "almost a live-action biography of Jordan's life" and
while Jordan has a "pleasant screen personality and a great
smile, ... he is no actor" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 11/15). In
Philadelphia, Desmond Ryan notes the film "never demands that
[Jordan] stretch beyond his amicable, rather guarded public
persona" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 11/15). In Tampa, Bob Ross
notes Jordan, "making a cordially self-mocking movie debut --
gives [Bugs Bunny] a run for his carrots" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 11/15).
In Toronto, Joe Fox: "While more skilled than b-ball foe
Shaquille O'Neal when it comes to acting, Jordan does better at
baseball" (TORONTO STAR, 11/15). In Baltimore, Chris Kridler
notes Jordan "is not going to be stealing any Oscar's from Denzel
Washington" (Baltimore SUN, 11/15). In Vancouver, Tim Carlson
notes Jordan is "fairly stilted and straight-faced compared to
the commotion around him" (VANCOUVER SUN, 11/15). In Washington,
Gary Arnold writes the film "fails to enhance either of its major
partners [Jordan or Warner Bros. animated characters] in decisive
or irresistible ways" (WASHINGTON TIMES, 11/15).
MARKETING MADNESS: Jordan and Falk grace the cover of the
upcoming N.Y. TIMES SUNDAY MAGAZINE. Falk is featured in the
piece, entitled, "The Big Man Can Deal." Falk is an "agent with
a vision -- of sneaker deals, movies deals, restaurants deals.
Thanks to him, pro athletes now compete in a whole new arena,
playing the brand name game" (THE DAILY). The CHICAGO TRIBUNE's
Mark Caro takes an extensive look at athletes crossing over to
motion pictures. David Falk, on Jordan: "We're not trying to make
Michael a movie star. This is an attempt to put another
opportunity on the table when basketball is over" (CHICAGO
TRIBUNE, 11/1O).
