He Got Game

Lee had no need to cast an NBA player, but cast Ray Allen anyway, who does a fine job. The music, a mix of Public Enemy and Aaron Copeland, is an odd combination that Lee puts to effective use. This film introduced Lee's slower pacing of storytelling, which he would continue to do with "Summer Of Sam", and it works quite well.


Not on the level of Spike's other works, but still good   September 25, 2005
The Fancy One (Westchester County, NY)
10 out of 11 found this review helpful

I love Denzel Washington. I mean, I absolutely adore this man...he never gives a less than credible performance in any role he plays. Once again, he delivers as a less-than-perfect father in "He Got Game". This is more than a story about basketball - it's about human relationships, the bond between a father and son, and how that prevails even in the worst of circumstances.

The story, set in the Coney Island housing projects in Brooklyn, NY (where it was also filmed), surrounds Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel) who has been imprisoned in Attica for the accidental murder of his wife. His son, Jesus (Ray Allen), a high school basketball star who is being hotly pursued to either go into college or sign with the NBA, has nothing but contempt and disgust for his father. If Jake can convince his estranged son to attend a certain university and sign a letter of intent, then his time will be reduced significantly, since this school also happens to be the governor's alma mater.

It starts off with a lot of promise, when Jake is allowed out of prison for a week to try to talk to his son. But after a while, the plot starts to wear thin when Jake keeps approaching Jesus, and Jesus is always telling Jake to leave him alone. How long can this be stretched out before you get tired of the whole thing? Okay, you can throw in flashbacks of Jesus as a child and how his father pushed him hard to play ball; a scheming, opportunistic girlfriend (Rosario Dawson); money-hungry friends and relatives; and plenty of tempting offers to either take money, sign with the NBA, go to this college and so forth to thicken the plot. Everyone seems to want something from Jesus, and as a result he has very little trust for anyone around him, and understandably so. But even that tends to get monotonous because you keep hearing the same type of dialogue, only from different characters. But stay with it.

This movie does show realistic situations that face talented high-school prospects that can play basketball, so Spike was on point with this. However, it is not the first film that touched upon this subject. There was also "Blue Chips" that had Shaquille O'Neal and Anfernee (Penny) Hardaway in it as students/basketball players being heavily recruited for colleges and how they were being paid off, depending on what their decision would be. (At the time this movie was out, both Shaq and Penny were members of the Orlando Magic.)

Ray Allen is an NBA basketball player in real life, but he is NO ACTOR, just like Shaq and Penny aren't actors, either. Whatever scenes Allen appeared in were kind of painful to watch because the man just has no skills in that area. He does try, though. And the rest of the cast aren't much better, most notably Milla Jovovich. She plays a grimy and pathetic prostitute who is repeatedly abused by her pimp. I found it difficult to believe that Denzel or any man would find her to be desirable. But then again, Denzel as Jake was just coming out of prison, so...

I also disliked the fact that Spike had to throw in so many sex scenes. I normally enjoy Spike's films, but why must he exploit women? He makes them look like they are nothing more than lowlife sexual playthings who are out to use men for what they have. "He Got Game" runs rampant with this, even casting porn star Heather Hunter in one of many (unnecessary) sex scenes! What the hell?! Although Spike does it on a smaller scale in his other movies, and always has, it didn't bother me as much as it did in this film. It was excessive. I understand the point that Spike was trying to make, but come on - couldn't he leave a little SOMETHING to the imagination?

"He Got Game" is definitely worth watching. Not perfect, but not a waste of time, either. See it!


Yea Boyeee! He GOT Game   December 18, 2000
7 out of 9 found this review helpful

This is one of the best Hip Hop soundtracks, I never saw the movie but the music is just CHILL. Especially like 'Politics of The Sneaker Pimps,' which is anti-pompous-sportsplayers-wearing-brandname-shoes. 'Supa Agent' has the beat like that, and the all time mostest bestest Flavor Flav song in the whole wide world is the one right on this album, 'Shake Yo' Booty,' for all those Flava (I know you're out there) fans. 'Is your God a Dog' gives out some food for thought, not reccomended for any die-hard christians out there, but for them there's christian music, and plenty of it.


This Movie...........WOW   December 3, 2000
Sis Smith (Rockton, IL United States)
6 out of 14 found this review helpful

not so much as reviewing the dvd, but the movie in general. It's REALLY bad, nobody saw it and theres a reason for that. It has no story, the acting is terrible and the ending is the worst part. It leaves the movie viewer with a sense of disgust. Even if you like basketball i suggest you stay away from this movie. Because you will just be wasting your time and will never get the time back in your life. Spike lee is a terrible director and gives other directors bad names because he calls his movies joints, which is pointless. Bad movie i suggest not watching it. If you have i feel bad for you, especially you Jeff, i know you love it. It's really bad.


Denzel Washington is Amazing   May 13, 2000
A. Jones (Oakland)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful

This is a terrific movie, despite the fact that Spike Lee lost his way in the meandering plot; the ending doesn't make much sense. And of course, there's a bit of misogny in the portrayal of women. However, Ray Allen is wonderful as Jesus Shuttlesworth and Rick Fox is a tasty treat. I would love to see him in other movies.

Denzel Washington is a REVELATION. Of course I've admired his work for years because he's so handsome. But I haven't appreciated his acting ability (aside from his performance in Glory) in quite some time. This performance is nuanced and subtle and complex and brilliant. He's humble and arrogant, noble and low-life, all in one character. It reminds me of his role in Mississippi Masala.

If you love NBA basketball, this a great movie to watch.