Denzel does good work in the film YES but it takes more to make a good movie than one or two people in it who knows how to act (Hill Harper is the second one).

Not a very moving story mainly becouse RAY ALLENs and MILLA JOVOVICs horrible acting.

If you thought that rappers were bad actors, they are nothing against b-ball players.

Any SPIKE LEE-movie is better than this one so skip it.

I think its one of Spike Lees best movies. "He Got Game" covers lots of issues: interracial dating, black stereotypes, the college athlete, corruption in college athletics, the politics behind sports, the incarceration of Black men, and most of all, a father trying to make amends with his son.

"He Got Game" is loaded with symbolism, each time you see it, you will pick up something new (the kids names: "Mary" and "Jesus"; the last basketball shot, etc.).

Most of all, I recommend this movie to you because I find it touching, and felt emotions that I certainly did not expect from a Spike Lee movie. My suggestion: see it for Fathers Day!

This is Lees homage to uptown basketball, where (GASP!) there is corruption afoot. Wow. Thanks for the info, Captain obvious. Tell me, is alcoholism bad too?

Denzel Washington pulls off the "misunderstood angry black man" role he does in every film written for him (to see him not rely on this and actually show chops, see The Hunt For Red October or Fallen), and Ray Allen proves for the umpteenth time why sports stars/ musicians should not act, especially those who cant read. Honestly, Lee couldnt find an actor with chops to read this role, instead of mumbling like a fool like Allen does?

Lee interjects the film with countless shots of women naked, trying desperately to deflect your view from the crappy script and shoddy character development. It doesnt even work the first time, which is sad, considering he hires porn stars. Poor Spike. he had such promise. Then again, Im sure Joel Schumacher did once too.

If you liked this movie, chances are you probably believe in vast conspiracies involving everyone but you. This movies about as well put together as an NBA basketball game.

This movie, while considered by many to be one of his best, doesnt stand out so. The whole idea of C.R.E.A.M. and choosing a decent life over a famed one is very thoroughly discussed, so much to the point that you have to feel guilty eating at a McDonalds. The conflict between Denzels character and his son goes on forever and doesnt seem intending to resolve itself any time soon...in fact, like most Spike Lee films, the characters get involved not with each other but with sub-plots and minor characters that do nothing to advance the story. Milla Jovovich cant act, and her character doesnt do much except whine and get naked. In fact, sex seems to be what carries this film, as Spike Lee throws sex in every thirty minutes as if to keep the audience awake when the pacing turns dull. Well...that technique doesnt ALWAYS work...

This had potential, but deliver it does not.

Denzel Washington (whos incapable of giving a lousy performance) and Ray Allen as Jake and Jesus Shuttlesworth respectively, give the film its anchors, allowing Lee to project his soapboxes and political rants more effectively than in earlier efforts such "Malcolm X".

It also helps to have Public Enemy back on board with a boomin soundtrack (their best album in years), and other Spike Lee regulars Lonette McKee, Bill Nunn, and John Turturro--his cameo as a zealot college basketball coach is great.

The story moves along briskly enough, isnt overdone, and the editing is as good as anything Oliver Stone chooses to claim as his own. A number of great quotes, and more than enough humour to lighten up the proceedings before they get too dark. Definitely worth owning.

I must however issue a WARNING: He Got Game, like most of Spike Lees works, is VERY SATIRICAL IN NATURE! That means it does contain steryotypes, exaggerated characters and rascism. If you are offended by this, or the sexual content which does appear, this movie is not for you.

Onwards, for those open-minded to this kind of thing, this is a great work of art. It features the Oscar winning Denzel Wasington (Training Day) as a convicted murderer who is released conditionally to please society. Basketball star Ray Allen plays Denzels son, doing what he does best--play basketball. A profound yet entertaining movie, with a slight tinge of abstraction towards its end.

It is one of the few DVD gems I highly recommend for those not offended by the former.

First, every women featured in this film is white/latin and a whore/slut. An unusual combination considering this film is about about black inner city basketball. Not one black female shows up this film with any of kind of speaking role or substance.

The story turns into the absurd about half way through and stops making sense. Also, Rick Fox is well, Rick Fox. Nuff said. Listening to him try to sound street/from the hood is very laughable. I imagined he listed to some NWA records to prep for this role.

The most compelling part of the movie is the climax, D Washington playing R Allen in a classic Father/son one on one battle. This scene saves the movie.

The story surrounds a high-school basketball star with the unlikely name of Jesus and the most important decision he must make in his life -- what college basketball scholarship he will accept. Temptations are everywhere and everyone around him feels entitled to some of his future financial success. Denzel Washington plays his father who is serving a long prison sentence for murdering his wife, the boys mother. However, the governor wants the boy to go to his alma mater and therefore grants him a week out of prison to also influence the boy.

Spike Lees camera seeks out the outrageous details that add the wince, the pow and the dimension to the film. It explores human nature as well as some ugly truths using the vehicle of the story as an allegory. The music is an eclectic mix of Aaron Copeland and Public Enemy and somehow it works. And there are also cameo performances by real live basketball players and coaches.

I enjoyed the video and can even forgive the fact that it was a little too long and that some of the acting did not measure up to Denzel Washingtons superb performance. Spike Lee fans will love it. Recommended.

Denzel Washington and Ray Allen both put on great performances to make this a great movie. The basketball sequences in the movie are exciting, but the drama in "He Got Game" is what makes the movie work so well. I recommend anybody to get "He Got Game."

Otherwise, it nearly brought me to tears, and the actors were wonderful. Denzel is so good at immersing himself completely into his characters. Good job!

Denzel Washington is a REVELATION. Of course Ive admired his work for years because hes so handsome. But I havent appreciated his acting ability (aside from his performance in Glory) in quite some time. This performance is nuanced and subtle and complex and brilliant. Hes humble and arrogant, noble and low-life, all in one character. It reminds me of his role in Mississippi Masala.

If you love NBA basketball, this a great movie to watch.

Lee had no need to cast an NBA player, but cast Ray Allen anyway, who does a fine job. The music, a mix of Public Enemy and Aaron Copeland, is an odd combination that Lee puts to effective use. This film introduced Lees slower pacing of storytelling, which he would continue to do with "Summer Of Sam", and it works quite well.

Lee had no need to cast an NBA player, but cast Ray Allen anyway, who does a fine job. The music, a mix of Public Enemy and Aaron Copeland, is an odd combination that Lee puts to effective use. This film introduced Lees slower pacing of storytelling, which he would continue to do with "Summer Of Sam", and it works quite well.

One gripe with this movie- do not watch it with a meathead. Some people will say that this movie "sucks" or whatever because it doesnt have enough basketball. Dont listen to those people. He Got Game is an out and out classic movie.

Some criticisms: It seems that of late Denzel Washington has had to play opposite a lot of white females. What gives? As usual, Spike Lee depicts the seamy side of life very graphically. Actually, there arent that many directors or screenwriters, black and white, that dare to push the envelope as far as he does. When will Lee ever depict a true love story? His male/female leads tend to use one another on some level.

However, one of Spike Lees strengths is that he always leaves his endings ambiguous. They are never what you expect.

Best tracks: "Go Cat Go!" (and the lyrics are NOT wack!), "What You Need is Jesus", and "Game Face" (which hijacks the James Bond Theme). The same crew should get together for the next album definitely!

"Unstoppable"- The Blastmaster and the Rhyme Animal together for the first time on a PE album! MORE! MORE!!

Griffs poetry track is on-point. He should flex more on future PE releases.

Flav gets OFF on "Shake Your Booty". Perfect track for the Flav-Man. BUY THE MOVIE! BUY THE SOUNDTRACK? ARE YOU GAME?

While the soundtrack is decidely more three dimensional, the film itself is less profound. Perhaps, as a consequence of the movies subdued flavor, the actual music doesnt pack as much punch into every song as it should. Its true, the song *He Got Game* is the least powerful song on the album.

Nonetheless, the total shot works.

on the plus side, chuck d manages to fit in a ton of information about the state of pro ball today. if anyone in hip hop can talk about sports, its chuck d - he really brings it to all the major problems... a highlight is "politics of the sneaker pimps" and its michael moore-like assault on nike.

all in all, a welcome return of the masters. i cant wait to see what the "real" album is like.