Shooting Stars

Shooting Stars is the movie that Lebron fans don't really need to see. I'd say it's a movie for non basketball fans that are intrigued by his success and want to learn more about his rise via cinematic story telling. For real Lebron fans, they already know the story. For me, I'd rather watch one of those "Shooting Stars in 10 Minutes" YouTube recaps and then watch the very end of the actual movie to see the "where are they now" credits.

I was asked by a friend (Brittany) to watch this movie and give a review. I personally would have passed. After it was over I felt robbed of 2hrs. Damn you Brittany!

The movie begins with the boys in their younger days but doesn't linger too long in this particular era and rightfully so. The child actors were absolutely terrible. It felt as though they were reading their lines off post it notes strategically placed on the set. A bit of a bad first impression.

Luckily Wood Harris was there to soften the blow of bad acting. The presence of Durmot Mulroney and Chad Coleman was a cue for me that all hope was not lost.

I'm always pleased by the acting of Wood Harris. After his role in the Power series, I always look forward to anything he plays in. His role in Shooting Stars as Lil Dru's dad and coach felt complimentary to the younger cast but didn't really hit the mark of his full acting potential until later in the movie.

Durmot Mulroney's role was the typical mid life crisis high school coach and quite frankly was very good and yet somehow underwhelming at the same time in comparison to his other work.

Chad Colman as the rival high schools coach was spot on and although his screen time was relatively short, I enjoyed every moment of his scenes. Truly one of the most unvalued actors of today. We need Colman in more leading roles.

Marquis Cook as Lebron was adequate but boring. Hats off to casting for finding someone who favors Lebron James. Not all black people look alike contrary to what Brittany has said on multiple occasions.

Avery Wills Jr as Willie was played out well when in conjunction with his co stars yet as soon as the scene wasn't about him you forget he exists. No lasting impression from Wills Jr at all.

Khalil Everage as Sian gave us some of the most notable humor and stood out more than Wills and Cook but by no means is this movie funny. Not at all. I'm sure it wasn't intended to be but it's a bit disappointing for my taste because the most memorable movies are the ones that incite emotions that we can connect to the memories.

Caleb McLaughlin who played Lil Dru was the most powerful actor of the 4 and his performance was the life blood of the groups dynamic. As one of the Stars in the hit series Stranger Things, when I first saw him I had high expectations and he delivered. I wouldn't say it was as good as Stranger Things, but it was not bad at all. Another hats off to casting for going with a strong actor over a novice for the sake of resemblance. I'm talking about you cook.

The story line bored me. There didn't really seem to be any real events that took place. At least nothing that moved me. There was no strong laughs. There was no tragedy. It was just a story. I will say that I really loved how the entire movie revolved around all four of the boys rather than just hyper focusing on James the whole time.

Hats off to the writers for that but I'm sure even they were bored writing this. I won't even say they're names because they don't deserve it. The climax of the movie was dull and emotionless. I can't completely blame them because it's a true story so let's just blame LeBron.

Director Chris Robinson did well minus the captions. I understand captions like "October" and "November". Or "3 Years Later" and "Chicago". These are captions that add context to the story and tells us how much time has passed or what city they are in. So what's with the caption "Respect" when two players bump shoulders and look at each other a certain way. This happens all throughout the movie and it's kinda stupid.

It's like they're trying to help us read body language. Between that and the boys using various slang words that did not exist in that time, I give whoever is responsible for this two fat chicken grease covered thumbs down. Super cliche.

Conclusion: It was produced by Lebron James. Big guy with a well deserved big ego but also makes me think there is for sure some bias. I didn't completely hate it, but I do regret watching it and I know for a fact that some of the events are not accurate but I'm only here for the entertainment, not the truth.

The truth is this movie was just not for me. I'm more entertained by watching an actual basketball game rather than a dull story line with a bunch of highlights. It's a well produced movie that has the potential to be great to someone else but I highly doubt it's the type of movie that anyone would watch twice.

The film beautifully captured the story of brotherhood and showcased fantastic basketball shots. The well-rounded cast of Lebron James and his teammates Dru Joyce, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, and Sian Cotton effectively portrayed the journey of the Fab 4 turning into 5. Although there were opportunities to delve deeper into the drama and emotions, the film only scratched the surface.

What stood out was the film's focus on spreading the love to Lebron's teammates rather than solely centering on him. The park hoops scene gave me goosebumps, and it was great to see Marquis Mookie Cook, an actual hooper, bring realism to Lebron's size and basketball movements. Caleb McLaughlin's portrayal of Dru Joyce the 3rd was exceptional; the film made the most out of his acting talent.

While the film stayed true to the times by incorporating music, it missed a golden opportunity by not including 50 Cent's iconic song, 'In Da Club,' which perfectly complements Lebron. Nonetheless, as a fan of basketball films, Shooting Stars satisfied my craving once again. If you enjoy basketball, have a solid storyline, and want to delve deeper into Lebron's journey, this film is for you.

I love the new movie, Shooting Stars. You don't need to be a basketball lover to enjoy this one! This movie is so motivational, relatable and hilarious. It is a must-see, and definitely a "slam-dunk."

The film highlights the inspirational story of the ultra-famous NBA player, LeBron James and his high school friends. It takes place in 1994 through 2003, during his childhood and high school years, and focuses on the "Fab Four" - young LeBron James (Marquis Cook) and his best friends Lil Dru Joyce (Caleb McLaughlin), Willie McGee (Avery Wills) and Sian Cotton (Khalil Everage).

I've never been an avid basketball follower or fan, but that didn't make Shooting Stars any less of an enjoyable movie for me. Even though I never played basketball seriously, I can relate to this movie as a high school athlete. It was so interesting to learn things I never knew about LeBron James and his life. And what's great is that if you want to learn even more about LeBron, you can read the book by LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger, Shooting Stars, which the film is based on. Since the film was produced by LeBron himself, it provides an accurate representation of his early years. In a voiceover in the first-look teaser trailer James says, "People think they know my story, but this is our story." The sets, locations and props all reflect the time period and give us a bit of nostalgia. Additionally, the actors look so much like the people they play. Speaking of which, Marquis Cook, Caleb McLaughlin, Avery Wills, Khalil Everage, and Sterling Henderson work so well together and have a lot of chemistry. Additionally, they all are fabulous basketball players. Shooting Stars marks the acting debut of Marquis "Mookie" Cook as young LeBron James. Although he is a rookie actor, Cook has a substantial basketball background. He is not only a top-ranked high school athlete but has also participated in the 2023 All-American games. Throughout the movie, be on the lookout for some cameos!

The message of this movie is to follow your passions and work hard for them. Additional themes are that your family isn't just blood and that teamwork is important when you're trying to achieve your goals. Be aware that there is some profanity and language that people may find offensive.

I give Shooting Stars 5 of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 18, plus adults. Athletes and LeBron fans will particularly enjoy this movie. By Katherine S., KIDS FIRST!

"Shooting Stars," directed by Chris Robinson, is a sports drama that chronicles NBA legend LeBron James' high school years as a member of the "Fab 5" at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. This team famously won the Division II National Championship, becoming the No. 1 school in the country. The film is a stylized narrative that captures the highs and lows of LeBron's early journey, and while it offers a polished and cohesive viewing experience, it sometimes feels overly dramatic and forced.

The film excels in its presentation. The text on the screen, non-linear storytelling, and dramatic music combine effectively to create an engaging atmosphere. These elements, along with well-delivered dialogues, contribute to making "Shooting Stars" an inspiring watch, particularly for young boys who might look up to LeBron James as a role model. The movie's portrayal of camaraderie, determination, and triumph makes it an ideal choice for a high school movie night or a motivational pre-game watch.

However, the movie's route of storytelling occasionally feels contrived. Some of the dramatic turns and emotional beats come off as exaggerated, detracting from the authenticity of the narrative. Despite these moments, the film manages to end on a high note, leaving the audience with a sense of accomplishment and inspiration.

In terms of sports sequences, "Shooting Stars" delivers well-choreographed basketball scenes that capture the intensity and excitement of high school competition. While it may not be the best sports movie ever made, it includes enough action to keep sports enthusiasts entertained. However, it falls short of evoking the kind of fervor that makes you want to jump out of your seat and cheer for the underdogs.

In summary, "Shooting Stars" is a solid sports drama that offers a mix of inspiration and entertainment. It's not the most groundbreaking or motivational sports film, but it serves well as a weekend watch with friends or a solo viewing experience. Its combination of stylish direction and heartfelt storytelling makes it a worthwhile addition to the genre, especially for fans of LeBron James and basketball.

Shooting Stars is an excellent High School sports movie. The character development, directing, editing, and acting are all on point.

Based on a true story it captures the progression of friends perfectly to their journey from kids to young adults. It's an uplifting film about what it means to grow up together and support one another through life's challenges.

It's captivating from the first scene to last. There aren't many such movies I've seen where I felt part of the groups struggle and perseverance. It's uplifting and courageous.

I'm glad I caught it as I was scrolling through to find something to watch.

Highly recommend it!