Sports is a genre that has earned its place in the film industry; basketball in particular has helped critics and audiences embrace these productions and recognize how necessary they are.
You might be interested: The Last Dance already has a critical rating
Recently Netflix in collaboration with ESPN surprised with the premiere of The Last Dance – 100%, which revolves around the greatest exponent of basketball and recognized as the best athlete of all time Michael Jordan, with a documentary series that narrates the sports glory of the Chicago Bulls and how his majesty became a legend in history of this sport. The success was resounding to the extent of obtaining the award for best documentary series at the recent Emmy Awards.
Kobe Bryant in addition to being a historic Los Angeles Lakers, he achieved through his short film Dear Basketball win the Oscar in the nomination of best animated short, being a love letter to the sport that gave him so much satisfaction, with an inspiring and motivational story, written by Kobe and directed by Glen Keane, this pair manages to convey the feelings about those dreams to become an NBA star.
With these materials it is necessary to review those feature films based on this sport that are just as good as the mentioned productions.
The Way Back – 92%
Ben Affleck recently starred in The Way Back as the character of Jack Cunningham, a film directed by Gavin O’Connor in which Affleck tries to compose a life of loss, alcohol being his only company, but, through basketball, he begins to find a second chance when making the decision to be the coach of a school where he was a player and star of this team.
Although the central theme is not to see the protagonist’s path to success in this facet as a coach, the circumstances that revolve around this sport are well justified, functional and entertaining, allowing the protagonist to find a moment of reflection on his life.
You will not forgive – 80%
Denzel Washington participated in the production, You Will Not Forgive directed by Spike Lee, a drama in which Jake (Denzel) is a convict who, to see his sentence reduced, must convince his son to sign for the university to which the governor of the state I told him to play basketball for that school, the mission for Jake will not be easy because he does not have the best relationship with his son, Jesus. This film features the participation of former NBA star Ray Allen as Jake’s son. The story has different cameos from professional stars of this sport.
Space Jam: Game of the Century – 36%
Not everything revolves around dramas with this sport, there is also time for comedy and lighter stories, in 1996 a production came that would combine nothing more and nothing less than Michael Jordan with Bugs Bunny and the Looney Toons.
Michael Jordan announces his retirement from basketball to dedicate himself to baseball, meanwhile the Looney Toons receive a group of aliens who threaten to take them to an amusement park to be their main attraction. Bugs decides to bet with them their freedom and that of their friends in a basketball game, taking advantage of the physical advantages they have over the little aliens, to the bad luck of our characters they did not expect their rivals to steal the talent of different NBA stars giving them skills that would surpass the Looney Toons. Given this, they will have to resort to the help of the greatest exponent of this sport, so you guessed it, His Majesty Michael Jordan.
Soon we will see the return of Space Jam, but now with the recent champion and NBA MVP, LeBron James.
Read also: Kobe Bryant and his love for animation
Whites Can’t Jump
In 1992 Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes starred in Los Blancos No Saben Saltar, directed by Ron Shelton, this story presents us with the essence of basketball in the streets, Billy Hoyle (Woody Harrelson) makes a living playing and betting in his favor during the matches, this leads him to meet Sidney Deane (Wesley Snipes), both have great talent and decide to put him together to participate in a two-on-two tournament and thus be able to reach their economic goals quickly. Director Ron Shelton takes advantage of his protagonists in an ingenious way, getting a duo that works perfectly.
Coach Carter – 65%
Based on real events, Coach Carter, also known as the Game of Honor, is a film about the Ritchmond high school team and their coach Ken Carter, who will seek to make that group a winner and, in addition, get those students to meet the necessary qualifications to gain entry to the university through a sports scholarship, but he will have to face not only the bad attitude of his players, but also a system that does not believe that they can meet the objective. The victories and the recognition would come but they would not be accompanied by the qualifications, before this the coach decides not to allow them to play until their grades improve.
Samuel L. Jackson is the one who takes the leading role as Coach Carter, gives a great performance accompanied by memorable and inspiring moments, wraps up the group of young people who accompany him, getting us to sympathize with each of the boys who appear in this film, being a young Channing Tatum whom we can immediately identify, but just like him, also Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri’chard, Antwon Tanner and Rob Brown successfully achieve the goal, a plot with a formula that does not reinvent but is quite solid and effective, ending with an experience that leaves a feeling of championship victory.
Road to glory
Another story based on real events that, although it does not have the magic and sympathy of the casting of Play of Honor, does enjoy remarkable moments. Road to glory is located in the year 1966, coach Don Haskins has the opportunity to lead the college team of the Texas miners and participate in the NCAA tournament. Haskins in order to achieve something important with this group decides to add seven new members to this squad of players who at first are not well received by their teammates due to their skin color, little by little they begin to create a bond and are accepted Unfortunately, the environment of this university tournament and society does not welcome its inclusion, so this team and its coach will have to row against the current.
As in Game of Honor who guides the plot is the coach, the actor Josh Lucas commits himself, puts the weight of this story on his shoulders, managing to bring it to fruition. The casting that surrounds it works, getting a film with outstanding scenes during basketball games, without a doubt they will make any fan of this sport enjoy each one of them.
James Gartner was in charge of directing this film, the casting was complemented by Derek Luke, Austin Nichols, Schin A.S. Kerr, Sam Jones III, Jon Voight and Damian Radcliff.
Hoosiers: More than idols
Considered by critics as the best sports film, the director David Anspaugh delivers a film that develops elements such as teamwork and leadership very well, with Gene Hackman as the protagonist, providing a sublime performance.
This story released in 1986 ranked number 13 on the list of most inspiring films of all time by the American Film Institute. The plot revolves around the Milan Institute of Indiana and the arrival of basketball coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman), his methods do not seem to be to the liking of the team and neither of the fans, but little by little he is gaining their confidence, achieving in them a unique motivation and teamwork, in which its players have the same responsibility and importance, thus making it clear with each phrase and intervention that Gene Hackman’s character has that invites reflection on overcoming and achieving results to through joint effort.
Hossiers: More than idols, was nominated for two Oscars, one as a supporting actor for Dennis Hopper and for best soundtrack for Jerry Goldsmith.
You might also be interested: Space Jam: The Game of the Century, by Joe Pytka, what did the critics say at its premiere?
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