Support Shadows: Buy a Poster

Golly, I wonder what will happen? There's not even a vaguely original idea in this film, which insults its audience not only with boneheaded plotting but also goes way over-the-top with the effects. Doesn't anyone notice that Calvin is actually flying over the court, Crouching Tiger-style? This would be fine if the filmmakers would just go for it, but no, they want to be Deep and Meaningful as well, shovelling on messages about loyalty, family, friendship and greed. The acting is fine; Lil Bow Wow is energetic and lively enough to keep us giggling, and he's not a bad actor at all. Chestnut gives another interesting performance ... in another shallow film. And there's fantastic support from veterans like Levy, Forster, Meara and of course Glover, in the thankless villain role, not to mention half of the actual NBA. It's bright and colourful enough to keep the very young interested. But as it sinks in a sludge of cliches and fake sentiment, everyone else will wish they'd just rented Oliver! on video instead.