- Actors: Bow Wow, Jonathan Lipnicki, Morris Chestnut, Brenda Song, Jesse Plemons
- Directors: John Schultz
- Writers: Jordan Moffet, Michael Elliot
- Producers: Adam Silver, Barry Josephson, Garrett Grant, Gregg Winik, Jermaine Dupri
- Language English
- Classification: PG
- Studio: Fox
- VHS Release Date: 5 May 2003
- Run Time: 99 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00008RWW2
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,583 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
A modern-day fairy tale with a distinctly American feel, Like Mike is an engaging mixture of the old and the new that will play well with younger teenagers. At first sight this is a very modern piece of work and one aimed squarely at the US market, with its lead the teenage rap sensation Lil Bow Wow and the role of the NBA in the making of the film leading to the appearance of several basketball stars who will mean little beyond American shores. Many of the story's elements, however--from its orphanage setting to the fantasy elements and the triumph of the kids over the evil adults--are straight from the classic school of children's filmmaking.
Rap stars moving into acting is nothing new, but Bow Wow would seem to have the makings of a real talent, even if he is largely playing himself here. Amidst the bright and breezy brashness of the story there are also touching moments, particularly the growing relationship between Bow Wow's Calvin and Morris Chestnut's grumpy Tracy and the desperation of the orphans to find a home, all handled well by director John Schultz. Like Mike could well have been inaccessible to audiences outside the US, but ended up as a universal tale of the underdog having his day.
On the DVD: Like Mike puts the success of the movie in America firmly in context, giving some idea of just what a big deal Lil Bow Wow is in his own country. There are two behind-the-scenes documentaries, one a fairly standard series of talking heads interviews, the other a rough and ready and ultimately more revealing piece from the film's acting coach, complemented by Schultz's audio commentary. The director's aim to combine sports, music and cinema is well supported by the film's bold audio and visual style--also featured in the promo video for the title track, proof that Bow Wow is a natural a rapper as he is an actor. --Phil Udell
Video Description
Making his feature film debut rapper Lil Bow Wow stars as Calvin a fourteen-year-old orphan who dreams of being a famous basketball player. Alongside Bow Wow co-stars Jonathan Lipnicki (Jerry Maguire, Stuart Little) and Brenda Song (Leave It To Beaver), who play Calvin's closest friends.
One day when a box of used clothes arrives at the orphanage, Calvin discovers a pair of trainers inscribed with the initials of his all time basketball hero Michael Jordan. These magical shoes transform him into a NBA superstar and with them he finds he can shoot hoops like a pro. He is quickly signed to struggling NBA team The Knights whose boss, Frank Bernard, (Eugine Levy, American Pie) believes a kid on the bench will boost much needed ticket sales. Calvin finds himself staying with star player Tracey Reynolds (Morris Chestnut) who reluctantly takes the new team member under his wing. As the team struggles to win, Knights’ coach Wagner decides to give Calvin a shot in a real game and finds, to his surprise that Calvin and Tracey make a winning team. With his boundless enthusiasm and team spirit Calvin proves to be just what The Knights need to give them a chance at the playoffs. Despite his newfound stardom, Calvin still has to cope with the scheming owner of the orphanage, Stan Bittleman (Crispin Glover, Charlie’s Angels) who is determined to stop Calvin being adopted and cash in on his success… Will Calvin be able to keep hold of the magic shoes? Can The Knights win the playoff? Will he and his friends finally find happy homes?
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a very good family film. it's about an orphan played by lil bow wow, his name is calvin cambridge and he is given trainers said to be belonging to Michael jordan, on this inside of these trainers it has the initials MJ, he puts the trainer on and says make me like mike.
then things get good. he is given tickets to a new york game where he is chosen for the half time entertainment show. he out plays one of the best players in the NBA and from there on in he is signed by New york. at first this is for promotion but he becomes a full time player.
This film is good family entertainment it has everything, comedy, seriousness and rapping :P, plus really good basketball action get this film.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Well, this is a great movie. Some awesome basketball sceanes and also Moris Chestnut as Tracy Reynolds is ace. The way the story goes is, orphan Calvin Camebridge (Lil Bow Wow) looks from somewhere to meet famous basketbal players and get adopted. He sneakily buys tickets for the Los Angelos Knights game at the arena. And his guardian (Crispin Glover) dosen't realise, he's just sat in his car playing chess or whatever it is. Calvin gets a lucky ticket to go one-on-one with Reynolds. I knocked a star off for that, it's basically 1000/1 chance that would happen. Anyway, he beats Reynolds and ends up playing for the team (a bit un-realistic too.) He's then a champion basketball player who beats loads of teams to attempt promotion. The only thing is all this happens by his magic Michael Jordon sneakers. Good stuff, but a little more realistic next time. By the way, don't bother getting Like Mike 2, it sucks!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This is a pretty good film, there's some good basketball, plus some bits of comedy too.
Although you have some well known actors like Robert Forster, Eugene Levy and Crispin Glover in the film they are used sparingly and when they are it's not to great effect.
As an adult I'd probably say that this is just an okay film and give it 2 stars, but I'm sure that kids would enjoy this more, hence the three stars, a good performance by the kid who plays Mike who for me was very much the star of the film.
I do have to agree though that it is a predictable film, but I'm sure the kids won't worry about that.
Although you have some well known actors like Robert Forster, Eugene Levy and Crispin Glover in the film they are used sparingly and when they are it's not to great effect.
As an adult I'd probably say that this is just an okay film and give it 2 stars, but I'm sure that kids would enjoy this more, hence the three stars, a good performance by the kid who plays Mike who for me was very much the star of the film.
I do have to agree though that it is a predictable film, but I'm sure the kids won't worry about that.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Not bad but not great
I bought this because i was feeling nostalgic. I remember going to see it when i was 9, im now 19 and thought i'd order it and see if it was as good as i remember. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Ryan
A good, silly kids film and a must for basketball fans.
Rapper Lil Bow Wow stars in this kids film about an orphan boy who finds a magic pair of trainers/sneakers. Read more
Published 13 months ago by T. BROOKES
Such fun!
My daughter loves this film so much!!! Such a great family film and Bow Wow is excellent. A very cute film about sincere friendship and the importance of family really. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2010 by Chantel
entertaining yuuk
entertaining as it was this was all too predictable. It embarresed me when i watched it because it is so corny, and weirdly unrealistic. and did i mention it is predictable
Published on 25 Nov 2004 by "wwwlukesmells"
THE BEST BASKETBALL MOVIE YOUR`LL EVER SEE!!!!!!!!!
Are You A Die Hard Basketball Fan? Do You Like To See Amazing Basketball moves performed On And Of The Court And Spectacular Special Effects? Read more
Published on 30 May 2003
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