Shooting Stars

In the kingdom of basketball, an eternal debate rages on, pitting MJ against LeBron in the quest for the title of the Greatest of All Time. While Michael Jordan's tale of being denied a spot on his high school team has become the stuff of legends, Shooting Stars endeavors to elevate LeBron James' own past to a similar mythical status. Yet, this is not a story of individual pursuit overshadowing all else-it is a tale that recognizes the pivotal role played by a community in shaping one's journey. The film artfully captures the essence of brotherhood while showcasing breathtaking basketball prowess. LeBron James, accompanied by his teammates Dru Joyce, Willie McGee, Romeo Travis, and Sian Cotton, forms a well-rounded cast that effectively portrays the transformation of the Fab 4 into a formidable quintet. While the film only grazes the surface of the underlying drama and emotions, it stands out for its emphasis on sharing the limelight with LeBron's teammates rather than placing him solely at the center. A park hoops scene sends shivers down the spine, as Marquis "Mookie" Cook, a bona fide basketball player, breathes life into LeBron's towering presence and flawless basketball maneuvers. Caleb McLaughlin's portrayal of Dru Joyce III shines exceptionally bright, as the film adeptly harnesses his acting prowess. However, the narrative falls short of delving into the depths of their potential drama. As a passionate fan of basketball films, Shooting Stars once again satisfied my cravings. It caters to those who relish the sport, seek a compelling storyline, and yearn for a deeper understanding of LeBron's demanding journey. If you like basketball, you will like this movie too.

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.

"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.

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!

A year ago, Giannis Antetokounmpo got a Disney+ production with his life story. He was a former champion, but amazing enough to get his story to be told. His story was truly amazing and also a fun feature for (almost) all ages. It was a family story and a tale that dealt his and his brothers' success.

This time I want to say that Lebron gets his share and his story is told, but it is a little but similar, regarding the story of a team and not just an individual. Lebron is almost even not the main star of a films that is talking about his rise, which is an interesting choice of the narrative to be told from a perspective of few main characters and not just one.

The rating went up and its music is fantastic and almost makes a feeling like you're watching a movie from the kind and type of "Bohemian Rhapsody", when it is clear who is the main character (and it is also clear that envy will take place, eventually), but the writers would rather check some more angles and of course fill the gaps with fabulous and really pumps, when it seems that the films is losing focus, the soundtrack gets him back on track.

Really fun time when not expecting anything from a movie with Dermot Mulroney as a leading character in the movie. Marquis Mookie Cook has the look and his first movie debut is not bad, but the really fun part is to get a decent dose of Wood Harris (forever Avon Barksdale, from "The Wire" and lately also Creed's trainer - Tony 'Little Duke' Burton). If your kids are grown enough, open the TV and watch a great classic Sports Drama with a legendary story of one legend and his basketball band.