Various Artists - Above The Rim: The Soundtrack [Edited Version]

Kinda Generic

"Above the Rim" is about the city game of basketball, played on asphalt in a rough, physical style, where the rewards are status and glory in the neighborhood. It was shot on location in Harlem, and especially at Rucker's Playground, a legendary court where, in the 1970s, visiting stars like Wilt Chamberlain and Julius Erving would drop by to play with the local heroes.

The movie moves the action up to the present and tells the story of a high school basketball whiz named Kyle (Duane Martin) who has attracted the attention of top college scouts. A Georgetown recruiter has been in the stands for several games. Kyle dreams of someday playing in the NBA and waits anxiously for a letter of intent from Georgetown, which doesn't come - maybe because, in an attempt to impress the scout, he's been hogging the ball and taking unwise shots.

Parallel to high school basketball, but in a world of its own, is the neighborhood Shoot-Out, a tournament held at Rucker's Playground with teams sponsored by local merchants, including drug dealers. Kyle plans to play for a team run by his school coach. But then his best friend, Bugaloo (Marlon Wayans), talks him into visiting a club run by the sinister Birdie (Tupac Shakur), and the kid is seduced by its shabby glamor into agreeing to play for Birdie's team.

This is not a wise move. Birdie is a drug dealer, and that's a fact well-known to the tall, silent Shep (Leon), a former Rucker's star who moved out of town but is now back as a security guard at the high school. Shep was once friendly with Kyle's mother (Tonya Pinkins), and now, as they begin to see each other again, he tries to guide Kyle in the direction of college, and away from the superficial glories of the Shoot-Out.

The movie climaxes, of course, with the big Shoot-Out game, and with a violent surprise that I found less than likely. But that's not really what it's about. It's more about the dreams of poor black kids to use their basketball skills as a ticket out of the inner city.

This is an elusive dream, as the brilliant Chicago-based documentary "Hoop Dreams" demonstrates. Only a tiny percentage of high school stars ever play in college, let alone in the NBA. But kids like Kyle can't help hoping. And both Shep and his mother point out that education, not the NBA ticket, is the real reason to go to school.

The movie lives easily on the streets where it is shot, and the performances - especially by Martin, Shakur and Pinkins - are convincing. We get a sense of the daily rhythm of the character's lives, and for a drama, the movie finds room for a surprising amount of humor, especially in the dialogue.

The movie, directed by Jeff Pollack, was co-written by Pollack and Barry Michael Cooper, who wrote the poetic and evocative Wesley Snipes drama "Sugar Hill." In both films Cooper has a strong interest in family, in how extended support networks can fill some of the gaps left by the disintegration of the traditional family unit.

Here Kyle is a kid in a lot of potential trouble, but also with a lot of good support.

My complaint about the movie is that the plot goes on automatic pilot in creating the character of Birdie. The neighborhood drug dealer is such a standard cliche by now that it's almost as if they plugged him into the movie as a shortcut to a villain. Shakur plays him well, and he makes a satisfactory bad guy, but the subliminal message is that drugs are where the money is. The movie could have come up with more original choices. October 4, 2006

no title

Well, here's a movie I didn't want to see at all (I loathe basketball), but I enjoyed it very much. Two actors to watch who are very charismatic - Leon and Tupac Shakur (whose murder robbed the screen of a very fine talent). The former exudes a quiet power reminiscent of Lawrence Fishberne; the latter has amazing eyes with incredibly curly lashes. Another note: I haven't seen a movie that looked this sharp and clear, whose colors were crisp and bright, in many a year. And the basketball shots during the "tournament"! Wow! What editing! Whoever did that really knew his stuff. The story was fairly hokey - good guy, bad guy, competing for the young basketball whiz, and fairly predictable. I did think his overblown jealousy of his mom dating Leon a little too too. But Shakur's portrayal of the local king-pin was very effective. He actually seemed friendly and OK, but the menace below was subtly done. I have seen him before in "Poetic Justice". March 30, 2006

another classic that was almost as good as juice Joe Brown

this is tupac's other good movie 4 those of u question tupac's acting ability tupac does it once again this time as a street wealthy gangsta more calm and smoother than his outragerous character n juice n da movie, he has a older brother leon (known as shep) they r both different from each other and both lost a family member with da scene showning both of their at da graveyard togehter marlon wayans did surprisingly good acting considering that he is usually a comedian n most of his movies but n above da rim he was funny but yet serious at da sametime duane martin delivers a very good 2 considerly great performance who needs more roles he does both comedy and serious actin and rumor had it that he once play n da nba 4 a short period of time 4 da ny knicks bernie mac acted well and was funny at da sametime this movie he played a drugholic who lived out n da streets I love da soundtrack 2 da movie from Warren G and Nate Dogg which is one of da best soundtrack songs i have ever heard August 2, 2005

This is the real s( )t (My name is O.I)

This is the best sports movie ever, tied with Any Given Sunday. This movie was really melodramatic, and had excellent actors, like Duane Martin, Tupac, MArlon Wayans, that dude named Leon, and Bernie Mac. This movie was really violent and at the same time dramatic. My favorite character was Birdie (Tupac Shakur). Trust me, if you are thinking about getting this movie, get it. It is very good for all men to watch out there, and plus, get the soundtrack along with it. It is a classic, g-funk, rap album that is my favorite soundtrack, and I'm sure yall will like it to. July 2, 2005

Nice Basketball-Oriented Drama

The 1995 classic basketball movie "Above The Rim" is a great movie, even though it is going on ten years old. However, time can not erase the fact that this movie is spectacular. The cast of characters is good, the script is good, and overall this is an awesome movie if you're a fan of Tupac Shakur, or just a fan of basketball movies with more than just basketball in it.

The story is about Kyle Watson (Duane Martin) and Tommy "Shep" Sheppard (Leon). Kyle is really into basketball and he plays for the high school team, but he's a little self centered on the court. When his friend Bugaloo (Marlon Wayans) busts out of jail, he introduces Kyle to Birdie (Tupac Shakur), who wants to put Kyle on his annual Shoot Out Tournament team. Even though Kyle told his coach he was going to play for him in the shoot-out, he decides to play for Birdie, as he offers him somewhat of a better or good life. This part of the story is kinda cliche, either sell your soul for riches or do the right thing and go the better way out. Which one will Kyle choose when it's time? Shep has a story of his own. From what I could tell, Shep was a very good ballplayer when he was Kyle's age. Due to a certain tragedy, Shep threw it all away. Shep comes back from where he ran to, and ends up meeting Kyle's mother, and starts dating her. Kyle doesn't like Shep at all, due to a little bit of Birdie's influence, who is tied to Shep. Turns out, Shep helps Kyle throughout the movie.

There is not many extras on the DVD though. You could either get this on VHS or DVD and have the exact same thing. The movie has a great cast to back it up: Duane Martin, Marlon Wayans, Leon, Tupac Shakur, Tonya Pinkins, Bernie Mac, etc. They are all great in their roles. Despite being just about a decade old, this movie stands the test of time for me. It also has a great soundtrack, featuring hits such as "Regulate" by Nate Dogg and Warren G, and "Pour Out A Little Liquor" by 2Pac, and "Pain" by 2Pac and the Outlaws, which is one of my favorite songs. It really fits with the movie when they play it.

However cliche the storyline may be, this is still an excellent movie. The acting is tremendous, especially by Tupac and Marlon Wayans. This movie also established Leon and Marlon as 2 of my favorite actors. If you're looking for a great basketball movie with enough drama to keep you entertained, other than basketball, then this is the movie for you. This is also a good addition to your 2Pac collection (R.I.P.) Go ahead and buy Above the Rim now! May 15, 2005

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