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Shooting Stars
By Jennifer Green,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Well-acted basketball biopic has language, teen drinking.

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Shooting Stars
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Based on 2 parent reviews
What it truly means to be Friends
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Family friendly movie and a must see film
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What's the Story?
SHOOTING STARS tells the "origin" story of basketball phenomenon LeBron James (played by Marquis Cook) and his best buddies from childhood -- Little Dru (Caleb McLaughlin), Sian Cotton (Khalil Everage), and Willie McGee (Avery S. Willis, Jr.). The group was formed by Little Dru's dad, Dru Joyce (Wood Harris), when they were little kids playing community basketball. Giving the boys a positive male role model, an after-school activity to keep them out of trouble, and a makeshift family, basketball became their life. When they reach high school age, Coach Dru negotiates a place for them on a team. But when Lil Dru realizes the school coach plans to put him on the JV team, he secures the group a tryout for the local private school's team under former NCAA Coach Keith Dambrot (Dermot Mulroney). The boys lead the team to a string of victories their freshman year, and James in particular generates national attention over the course of his high school career. The rest is history.
Is It Any Good?
This high-spirited film introduces a group of young actors with great potential and offers an original and entertaining take on a well-known celebrity. What's especially appealing about Shooting Stars is its focus on LeBron and friends as kids and teenagers. It's refreshing for a sports biopic not to try to glorify or romanticize its subjects. Beyond their special and hard-earned skills, LeBron and his buddies come across as regular kids with typical teen concerns, and the film gives them space to do that. Director Robinson relies on the charm and chemistry of his young cast, led by endearing newcomer Cook and a powerful McLaughlin (of Stranger Things' fame).
Robinson and cinematographer Karsten Gopinath throw in some flashy camerawork that feels distracting at first but later, especially during fast-paced games when the camera is on the floor following the players, it makes sense. Similarly, the soundtrack starts off with heavy-handed instrumental music that gives way to contemporary tunes the characters themselves listen to. In the switch, the music contributes to rather than distracts from the characterizations. It's the film's focus on friendship and identity that makes this combo sports and high school/male bonding movie a rewarding and enjoyable watch.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the boys in Shooting Stars demonstrate teamwork, both on and off the court. In what ways is their makeshift family important for each of them?
Did you learn anything new about LeBron James in this film? Where could you go to learn more?
How does this film compare with other basketball movies you've watched? How about with other films about famous athletes?
If you've read the book the movie is based on, what's missing? What can a film do differently from a book?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: June 2, 2023
- Cast: Marquis Cook , Wood Harris , Caleb McLaughlin
- Director: Chris Robinson
- Inclusion Information: Black actors, Black writers
- Studio: Peacock
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , High School
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 116 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG-13
- MPAA explanation: strong language, some suggestive references and teen drinking
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: August 14, 2023
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