Who payed the critics

Expected more

A Brilliant Conflict

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

A morality tale by Spike Lee, "He Got Game" stars Denzel Washington as Jake, a convict who attempts to reconnect with his basketball star son. But are Jake's intentions pure or is he, like everyone else in Lee's film, attempting to profit off his son's newfound fame? "He Got Game" is cartoonish, heavy-handed and awkwardly juggles satire and neorealism. It's also filled with countless powerful sequences, most of which are simple conversations involving Washington. Elsewhere Jake connects with a white prostitute (Milla Jovovich), his relationship with her recalling those who attempt to seduce his own son. Everyone's a sycophant, manoeuvring for a dollar, trading false smiles and falser platitudes. When the black man gets money, the leaches come out.Like most of Lee's films, "Game" individualises problems. Integrity, temptation, loyalty etc are seen to be problems to be personally negotiated and not symptoms of a wider social failing; do the right thing, Lee believes, and everything will be alright. Broadening the film's themes are the film's signature song, Public Enemy's "He Got Game". "Damn the game if it ain't saying nothing," their lyrics proclaim, before advising Lee's heroes to "pay attention to the game behind the game", in which "the devil makes the rules" and "folk don't own themselves but pay mental rent to presidents". Lee would immortalise Public Enemy in "Do The Right Thing" many years earlier, though again their lyrics ("Fight the Power") were out of sync with Lee's reductive message of individual responsibility."Game" stars NBA's Ray Allen as Jake's son, a bit of casting which lends the film's court sessions extra authenticity. As is typical of Lee, the film's women are poorly written, except for a character played by Rosario Dawson. She's your archetypal temptress, but only, Lee makes it clear, because nobody else is looking out for her financial future. Presumably this justifies all the product placement in the film, as well as Lee's infamous side-career, marketing overpriced Nikes to inner-city blacks.It's Denzel who really elevates things, though. The man with the coolest walk in showbiz, "Game" soars whenever Washtingon is on screen. Unfortunately it's a performance which Lee constantly undermines with unnecessary pyrotechnics. Lee is a man of excess. Denzel is too, but he's cool. Lee wishes he were.7.9/10 – Veers from powerful to terrible. See "Red Hook Summer", a Spike joint which rectifies most of the problems encountered here. Worth one viewing.

Normally in films, a father bonding with his son is a peaceful scene; tossing a baseball back and forth, fishing with each other, and talking about life. However in the 1998 film, He Got Game, father and son bonding is pushed to the extreme when Denzel Washington and youthful NBA player, Ray Allen take to the big screen to portray a different side of the cliché relationship. Directed, written, and produced by the legendary Spike Lee, who I have always been a fan of and I can't name too many blemishes on Denzel Washington's filmography either. I first went into the film with great expectations and still was amazed by the content of the movie! The only spark of skepticism I had was the fact that Ray Allen had a lead role. Spike Lee didn't have to cast an NBA player for Jesus' character. Any young actor could have took the role but he gave it to someone who never acted before. Having a basketball player as the main character was a risk but Ray Allen came through and delivered a great performance. Usually, athletes who try their hand at acting make their fans lose a bit of respect for them — see Michael Jordan in Space Jam and Shaq in anything. He Got Game is a great film for many reasons but mainly because of the acting displays, intense plot, and the transformation of the main characters. The movie follows number one high school basketball prospect Jesus Shuttlesworth (Allen) struggling with the decision on where he will continue his basketball career after graduating and the media that a decision like that attracts along with the strains placed on family and romantic ties. Meanwhile, in the Attica Correctional Facility, Jake Shuttlesworth (Washington) is spending time in prison for murdering his wife; Jesus' mother. With everyone wanting to get Jesus to come to their respective college or professional team, the governor offers Jake Shuttlesworth less time on his sentencing if he can convince his son to play basketball for his alma mater. Jake is let go on house arrest and given a week to make this happen which really doesn't seem like enough time since his son hates the sight of him. Throughout the film, the time period switches from the present day where Jesus is making his decision to the past where he used to get physically challenged by his father on the basketball court before his mother's passing. This addition really lifts the movie and gives it more emotion. What I really love is that the film really digs into the controversies of collegiate recruiting all while maintaining its main plot points and theme. During the recruiting process, lots of students are persuaded by cars, money, and other gifts and Spike Lee wasn't hesitant to bring light to those discrepancies throughout the movie. Jesus and his younger sister live in their own apartment where Jesus pays the rent but nothing is ever mentioned of him having a job. Also, in the beginning, Jesus' girlfriend tries to get him to meet a friend of her family who is an agent but Jesus aggressively declines and tells her "you know that sh!t is illegal." Including this in the film was genius because it makes the movie more real by showing something ugly about basketball and not just the glamorous lifestyle and flashy dunks. Being a basketball fan, my opinion of the film may be a little bias but I loved every minute of it. It's a rather long film, clocking in at 136 minutes but it goes by so fast, it will leave viewers wanting more! With great acting from Washington and Allen, a well-polished story line, and a vintage soundtrack, this movie is one of my favorites. I don't only suggest this movie for fans who would be able to point out former NBA players' cameos and classic '90's sneakers worn throughout the film. I think anyone who loves a great, dramatic movie with intense scenes and amazing acting would enjoy He Got Game.

He Got Game is a very enjoyable film. The cinematography is top drawer and the dialog crisply written. The movie explores the moral conflicts surrounding a prospective college basketball player. As soon as various interests decided that he is worth something to them, they pull all the stops on recruiting him to their school. Ray Allen plays the college prospect, Jesus, and Denzel Washington plays his convict father Jay. Ray and Jake are estranged after Jake accidentally kills his wife and Jesus's mother in a moment of passion. Now Jake must balance a release from prison against doing what is best for his Jay. Milla Jovavich and Rosario Dawson add to the fine cast.Many may shy away because it is a Spike Lee film, but the movie isn't a sermon about race relations. It is about a young man being treated as a commodity by family, friends, and strangers. It is worth your time.

This movie is stupid. It is long and drawn out. Ray Allen should be ashamed of himself for the scenes he was in. Millions of kids look up to him and he is in a scene like that. I wonder what his daughter will think when she gets older and sees that scene. Unbelievable! The plot was just another stupid sports movies. The only good sports movies are true stories. That way it is not the typical same old repeated stuff that seem to surface in every basketball movie. Spike Lee is a joke and so is this movie. I was really excited to see this movie but if I wanted a porno I would have walked down to Blockbuster and got one. I lost every bit of respect for Ray Allen that I had.