He Got Game

I normally love sports films, but this was just not very good. Characters would be introduced and happily blurt out their motivation and backstory almost unprompted. There was no sense of conflict in any of the characters. They acted in conflicting ways but there was no sense that any of them doubted or questioned their actions. The big turning point at the end had no sense of tension or intention, and the main characters final decision didn't feel earned. The main protagonist went on an almost entirely solo journey away from the father and then at the end without any real prompting or challenging of ideas just developed a sudden sense of contrition. The way that the film depicts women is really bad as well, it hammers home the idea that black women are difficult and white women are easy but again never challenges that suggestion, just reinforces that as a truth. On the plus side the scene cuts are great, I love the ambience, the music choice, the way it takes a moment to flesh out a memory or show a perspective. All of that is great. What I wanted was a heartfelt story about a father and son finding some form of reconciliation but they never really interacted enough for that to be addressed and the film suffers for it. There are a lot of questions left in the air as well. It's pretty clear that the father is largely innocent but the son doesn't seem to even acknowledge that, not even in passing. I just don't understand how someone could write this story and not once challenge the protagonist on their own beliefs. I'm not even sure the protagonist had any strong beliefs, other than he needed to choose a University and he hates his Dad. Beyond that, he has no real moral afflictions. He just takes part in a series of situations and then vaguely arrives at a choice without challenging any of his own convictions. Yes he gets to what I guess is the moral ending, but it wasn't earned. It felt like the Dad was supposed to fall on his sword, acknowledge that he was a bad actor in his sons life, that his Son needs to make his own choices and that he as a Dad needs to support him in that, even if it's to his own detriment. Sort of accept that he messed up, that he should be in prison and that's ok if it means his son has a good life. Nope, we don't get that and we just get this wet fart ending instead. Such a waste. Two hours and no payoff. This deserved to be a better movie.

A must see movie on the love of a sport that can lead to money and corruption.

Cool and enjoyable for my first Spike Lee experience!

meh. like I've seen worst...but.

Not one of Spike Lee's better films in my opinion Washington makes a great presence though

Spike Lee, and Denzel Washington, at their absolute finest. A truly excellent film.

Denzel holds down the part as a dad in prison trying to strike a deal with son. What doesn't hold is Ray Allen as an actor, super long sequences that we *think* are supposed to have underlying meaning, and sideways roles of women.

Spike Lee's He Got Game has all of the trademark Spike Lee excesses that makes you either love or hate his films. The movie is filled with jarring flashbacks, odd editing choices, countless characters talking directly to the camera, lengthy soliloquys, etc. that, within the first few minutes, identify it clearly as a Spike Lee exercise. Jake Shuttlesworth (Denzel Washington) is a convicted murderer who is given a temporary release from prison in order to convince his estranged son (Ray Allen) to accept a basketball scholarship at the governor's alma mater. What starts as a selfish journey ultimately turns into a father's quest to right the wrongs of the past and reestablish the bonds of family with his son and daughter. As could be expected, the movie jumps all over the place and, as could also be expected, it's a film that is very much, as mentioned earlier, a love it or hate it exercise.

Jesus Shuttlesworth is the next basketball phenom and a player taking the high school basketball world by storm. As one of the most sought after prospect in the nation with his pick of college scholarship. This includes a barrage of recruiters some of which is a high wire act to not fall victim to illegal recruiting, an activity that can risk in collegiate ineligibility. His father Jake Shuttlesworth sits in prison, for years after an atrocious domestic crime. Jake is called to the Warden and given an Ultimatum he can be granted early parole on the condition he convinces his estranged son Jesus to take a scholarship with the Governor's alma mater, Big State. A task he has a week to accomplish, Jake is not in the most legal way released in secret to achieve his goal. At the root of it this film is a beautiful piece of filmmaking and truly one of Spike Lee's best. This simple story unfolds its layers in a well paced manner exposing twists and secrets along the way. How we can find the strength deep within to forgive to gain much needed clarity in order to move forward in life. The acting here is phenomenal especially Denzel and Milla the two shine bright in this film, even Ray Allen proved to have the chops to be part of a Spike Lee classic truly holding his own. As far as sports related films go this is up there with the greats, if you haven't yet you really should check this one out.

A movie directed by Spike Lee and starring Denzel Washington, with Public Enemy doing the music should be much better than this. Many of the things Spike Lee tried don't work and just make you remeber you are watching and movie and get you out of the experience, changing the aspect ratio, messing with the editing. There are side stories that are not well developed, ending is rushed and not satisfactory. Funny that Denzel's son change basketball fot Football