He Got Game

After producing mediocre stuff like Crooklyn and Bamboozled in the mid-1990s, Spike Lee rebounded strongly in 1998 with He Got Game. This was easily Lee's best film since Malcolm X in 1992.

At first, moviegoers may be inclined to think that He Got Game will be little more than a slam-dunk fest that will showcase the athletic talent of its lead actor, Ray Allen (one of the NBA's premier players). Truth be told, however, He Got Game is more a sentimental drama than a sports movie, and the film focuses primarily on the behind-the-scenes pressures, temptations, and betrayals that often confront athletes as they are recruited by major universities or establish their professional careers. Spike Lee does a nice job of poignantly depicting the complex issues of money, sex, groupies, and greedy agents who prey on aspiring young athletes.

Although not a professional actor, Ray Allen does a splendid job in his role as Jesus Shuttlesworth - a high school senior who is faced with the difficult, high-pressure decision of which college he will attend the following fall. Denzell Washington delievers a spectacular performance as always, this time playing Jesus's father (Jake Shuttlesworth) who is serving a prison sentence for involunarity killing his wife. His mother's accidental death fuels Jesus's intense hatred for his father, but now his father is under pressure from the state governor to persuade Jesus to play basketball for the governor's alma mater. If Jesus agrees to do so, the governor has agreed to commute Jake's sentence. The beautiful Rosario Dawson is quite convincing as Jesus's gold-digging girlfriend with ulterior motives.

Fans of Spike Lee's films will notice several of Spike's regulars returning in cameo appearances in He Got Game, including John Turturro, Lonetta McKee, and Bill Nunn. Basketball personalities such as Dick Vitale, John Thompson, and Rick Fox also appear in the film, adding a sense of realism to the plot.

Much more than a simple basketball film, He Got Game tackles issues of race, class, exploitation, and family relationships. Interestingly enough, Spike Lee employs much more sex in this film than he usually does - porn star Heather Hunter appears in a cameo and Rosario Dawson delivers a sex scene of her own. The most graphic sex scene involves a menage-a-trois between Jesus and two blonde groupies during a recruiting visit to a prospective college.

Ultimately, Jesus discovers that the man he hates most is the cares most for him. Jake does not exploit his son, nor does he manipulate Jesus for personal gain.

He Got Game is a sentimental drama that should appeal to any sports fan, and the acting is complemented by a great soundtrack. Unfortunately, the DVD lacks extras - only a theatrical trailer is provided. An interview with the director or Ray Allen (discussing real-life experiences with the issues dealt with in the film) would have been a great addition.

Spike Lee proves once again that he is a very talented director, and Denzel Washington delivers one of his greatest performances of all time. Ray Allen is not a great actor, but Denzel proves that he can carry any cast on his shoulders.

this movie is awesome, i just saw it today, its one of my favorite basketball movies right up there with Above the Rim, Denzel is great in this one, Ray Allen is pretty good in his debut, the only part that bothers me is the end with the ball coming out of nowhere, but anyways, if you like basketball, go see this movie, its great

This soundtrack performed fully by Public Enemy is just another aspect of consciousness. Public Enemy has been just that with their prior releases and didn't leave us thirsting for knowledge on this one. As the hook goes on "Game Face", "...you know the name, P.E. / you know the game, P.E. /we ain't for the fame / we're for the change / I wake up every day with my game face on..." "Unstoppable" featuring KRS-One is a beautiful collaboration and a personal favoriate. Even though a lot of subjects pertain to basketball, Chuck D. still finds a way to compare it to everyday's society and life. The rock fueled "Go Cat Go" is even a good tune for rap and hip hop lovers. Not quite a classic but well worth the money. Maybe it should have been called Public Enemy Got Game instead.

Spike Lee scores a game winner with "He Got Game." He portrays a high school basketball player going through the recruitment process. Ray Allen plays the lead role as Jesus Shuttlesworth and does a great job. Denzel Washington plays his incarcirated dad who also has a say on where he wants his son to go to school.
Spike Lee does a great job going into the details of how money, sex, drugs, and women can influence a young mas decision on where to go school. I give this movie five stars and would recommend it to any sports fan especially one that loves basketball. Other movies compared to this one would be "Above the Rim" which you could purchase as a set from Amazon.com.