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Full Review
Like Mike (20th Century Fox) is an old-fashioned, sweet story that charms with endearing characters and an underdog-turned-hero plot. That's not to say that director John Schultz's fantasy flick isn't predictable -- it is -- but it is also good-natured fun with nifty visual effects. And thrown into the bargain is a message that every child deserves a family.Calvin Cambridge (played by young hip-hop singer Lil Bow Wow) is an orphan with big dreams. Considered one of the older residents at the Chesterfield Group Home, 14-year-old Calvin is not first choice for prospective parents who regularly visit the home. Nonetheless, Calvin remains hopeful that he will one day be adopted, just as he keeps fantasizing about someday playing in the NBA. But at a diminutive 4'8" and without many moves on the court, Calvin's desire may be more of a pipedream.
Then one day Sr. Theresa (Anne Meara) hands Calvin a discarded pair of sneakers with the initials "M.J." To enjoy the film, moviegoers will need to suspend disbelief here, and forgive the fact that the plot is centered around NBA super star Michael Jordan's ability to channel his tremendous athletic abilities through an old pair of sneakers. When Calvin dons the tattered sneakers, he's got all the moves. So much so, that he impresses the coach of the hapless - and fictitious - Los Angeles Knights and is signed up to be part of the team.
Special effects have Calvin jumping 20 feet to a rim-rattling slam dunk. He dribbles past (or under the legs of) actual hoop stars such as Chris Webber, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd, a few of the several NBA stars who make cameo appearances throughout the film. Half the fun is watching Lil Bow Wow play Calvin as a true kid who, despite playing on the opposing team, goes up to Gary Payton and asks for his autograph. As the story follows its expected arc, Calvin leads the struggling team to victory and eventually bonds with the Knight's team star, Tracey Reynolds (Morris Chestnut), who doesn't like being shown up by Calvin on court. Tracey also has an aversion to bunking with Calvin and acting as his mentor. But bond they do, and Calvin even encourages a reconciliation between Tracey and his estranged father.
With his braided hair and big chocolate brown eyes, Lil Bow Wow displays a cool ease in front of the camera for his motion picture debut, which makes his character convincing. However, every once and a while he slips into music video mode and poses a bit for the camera. Typically cast as the geek, Eugene Levy plays the Knight's general manager who needs to get more fans to attend the losing Knights' games at Staples Center, so he hires Calvin as a publicity gimmick. It's no surprise that Levy can play this character standing on his head, and yet he brings a fresh angle to the small role. As the arrogant player humbled by a pint-sized amateur, Chestnut doesn't fair as well. Although the role is underwritten, Chestnut doesn't do much with the few emotional layers the character is given.
But the film is ruled by the kids. Like a modern-day little orphan Annie, Calvin rallies his fellow orphans against the smarmy, creepy head of the orphanage (Crispin Glover). Jonathan Lipnicki (who made his feature debut opposite Tom Cruise in "Jerry Maguire") and Brenda Song play Calvin's best buddies at the orphanage, and they interact with ease.
Seemingly inspired by the Nike commercials years ago that had people claiming they too wanted to be "like Mike," director John Schultz's fantasy flick is a basketball Cinderella story complete with the happy ending.
Although likely suitable for pre-teens, there are a few menacing moments and brief crass language. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.
These movies have been evaluated for artistic merit and moral suitability by the media reviewing division of Catholic News Service. The reviews include the CNS rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.
The classifications are as follows:
A-I -- general patronage;
A-II -- adults and adolescents;
A-III -- adults;
L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
O -- morally offensive.
Note: Some movies previously were designated A-IV. Older films with this classification should be regarded as classified L.