Rise

This is a really incredible story about some amazing athletes . The production value and film itself was not great - it felt slow and long at some points and didn't do a great job with many of the actual basketball elements .

I loved to learn more about the family , thought the dynamic in the family was great , worth a watch with the family as it is a feel good classic Disney sports movie that will leave you feeling inspired .

American Underdog was good, but let's face it. There wasn't much faith in that movie. Rise actually shows more prayer and openness about faith in God. The family is exactly the kind you want to emulate, and the morals and values are exactly what you want your kids to learn. This is a beautiful film made with Nigerian actors and directed by a Nigerian Filmmaker. It is a great cross between independent films, and Disney's inspirational sports films. It's wholesome, enjoyable, and uplifting.

And I love, love real rags to riches stories.

It's Disney. It's cheesy and if you don't follow basketball then you probably don't care.

If I didn't love this family and what they did, I probably wouldn't care either. Excited to watch a more gritty and real documentary on this.

But this is perfect to watch with my 5 year old as we talk about persistence and perseverance.

"Rise" is a Drama - Sport movie which is based on the true story of the Antetokounmpo family, particularly focusing on the rise of Giannis Antetokounmpo from humble beginnings in Greece to becoming an NBA superstar. The film chronicles the challenges Giannis and his family faced, from financial struggles to the obstacles of being immigrants in a foreign country, all while pursuing their dreams of greatness.

I enjoyed this movie very much mainly because I already knew the story of Giannis Antetokounmpo and I had high expectations from it, and fortunately it reached its potential. The most important factor in "Rise" is its heart and the way the movie portraying the bond within the Antetokounmpo family and how their unity and perseverance were key to Giannis' success. The interpretations, especially from the actors playing the Antetokounmpo siblings, are heartfelt and genuine while the story is inspiring, showcasing not just Giannis' individual determination, but the collective strength of his family. Lastly, I have to say that "Rise" is an uplifting and motivational movie, with strong interpretations by its cast and an inspiring message so, I highly recommend everyone to watch it.

The Antetokounmpo's story is incredible, but the directing was lackluster, and even worse, Disney exhausted all the goodness out of the story by focusing more on wokeness.

The casting and performances were excellent by all, as was the cinematography and score. The pacing was slow, that the 113 min runtime dragged out. The story needed more content (and excitement), or a shorter runtime.

Overall if you're a sports fan and specifically an NBA and/or Giannis fan, this is a good one-time watch. As an exciting drama though, Hustle blows this one out of the water.