Solemplex To me, this movie is perfection.

Hulkeasexo it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

Ginger Very good movie overall, highly recommended. Most of the negative reviews don't have any merit and are all pollitically based. Give this movie a chance at least, and it might give you a different perspective.

Cheryl A clunky actioner with a handful of cool moments.

Python Hyena He Got Game (1998): Dir: Spike Lee / Cast: Denzel Washington, Milla Jovovich, Hill Harper, Ned Beatty, Ray Allen: Thought provoking yet disappointing film about regret and reestablishment. Denzel Washington stars as a prison inmate given opportunity to reduce his sentence after an incident that killed his wife in front of his two children. His oldest son Jesus became a pro basketball player to support his family. Great concept driven to formula and a useless subplot regarding a prostitute whom Washington assists. Another problem is the name Jesus regarded with inappropriate humour. Spike Lee continues his portrayals of the black community. He previously made such films as Malcolm X, Crooklyn and Jungle Fever. Here he must rely on his lead to carry it. Washington deserves credit as he attempts to mend his past and reach his son. Aside from that this film is all downhill. Milla Jovovich as the prostitute could have been left out. It does nothing for the film other this cast an attractive female in the film. Also appearing are Hill Harper and Ned Beatty in cardboard roles. Ray Allen is given the name Jesus, which comes across as a distasteful distraction pending on one's beliefs. He is Washington's star playing son. Fine theme regarding talents and redemption that unfortunately doesn't match Lee's usual work. So, whatever game Lee previously had, he certainly didn't have it here. Score: 5 ½ / 10

januaryman-1 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.

elderfarr 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.

webnutt He Got Game is basically a story of redemption for a conflicted family of father and son played over the setting of basketball. The movie alludes to so many possible and actual struggles a man may face but its particularly speaking whether intentionally or subliminally of the African American experience. Though one may not see the plot being focused as it tends to go in several different directions, at times its a perfectly frustrating example of how out of control a life may become if the right choices aren't made.Denzel's portrayal of Jake Shuttlesworth is a prime example of a flawed but strong willed individual who angrily imposes himself onto his son to succeed at where he most likely failed. In the process he pushes his son away and in a sense sends him on a path to be that same angry man he became. Ray Allen as Jesus Shuttlesworth has so many options but no answers as he takes the weight of the world on his shoulders. His character is that of kid presented with choices forcing him to become a man. But without guidance since he essentially raised himself and his sister in the absence of his father and death of his mother, Jesus is vulnerable to all the temptation around him.Spike Lee forces points down your throat unnecessarily with explicit sex scenes which he does way too often in just about all of his films but though uncomfortable, it works in the aspect of this film. Seeing Jesus and Jake grind it out in a game of one on one is a great climax brought to a head after Jesus's several rejections of his father acceptance and Jake's realization of his time running out. The lesson taught is a great lesson learned and in the end redemption is found through the strength of understanding between father and son.