Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant, mature indie drama about a teen and his sneakers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Kicks
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
KICKS follows 15-year-old Brandon (Jahking Guillory), who lives in the East Bay and hangs with a couple of best friends. The one thing he wants more than anything is a pair of Nike Air Jordans. Brandon saves and saves, but they're more than $300. One day, a guy selling Jordans out of a van lets Brandon buy the original red-and-black models for $200. The teen is so victorious that he jubilantly throws his ratty old pair over the power line. But within a day, a crew of guys led by the violent Flaco (Kofi Siriboe) beats Brandon up and takes his prized sneakers. Bruised and angry, Brandon enlists his pals -- ladies' man Rico (Christopher Meyer) and big-talking Albert (Christopher Jordan Wallace) -- to join him on his mission: to head to Oakland and retrieve his beloved kicks, no matter the risk.
Is It Any Good?
This lyrical, raw drama is ambitiously directed, impressively performed, and -- despite a lot of style -- still has quite a bit of heartbreaking, thought-provoking substance. Guillory gives an evocative, nuanced performance, with his beautiful puffy hair practically deserving its own credit. He's balanced by his two best friends, both of whom follow him into dangerous waters even though they don't think he should risk it. Wallace (son of the late Notorious B.I.G. and R&B singer Faith Evans) is particularly funny as the girl-obsessed Albert, who talks about women like he's experienced, even though his friends swear he's barely even kissed a girl. Meyer is also believable as the real player of the crew, a handsome, charismatic athlete who's uninterested in participating in street violence -- but still has his friend's back.
It's not easy to sit through Kicks, especially if you're an adult who wants to shake these kids and say "they're just sneakers!" But when Brandon's middle-aged drug-dealer uncle says just that, Brandon replies: "They're not sneakers, they're Js." Considering that Brandon wears his mom's bathroom slippers on his journey to Oakland, it's no wonder the kid isn't going to let the Js go. Director Justin Tipping even manages to humanize Brandon's attacker, Flaco, who's given the sneakers to someone he loves. In the end, it's that love -- plus Brandon's plucky determination -- that saves the day.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in Kicks. Does it feel realistic? How does it compare to what you might see in a superhero/action movie? Which has more impact?
How are drinking, drugs, and smoking portrayed in the movie? Are there realistic consequences? Why does that matter?
Is it believable that teens would be so obsessed with having Jordans? Can you think of any other similar status symbols?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 9, 2016
- On DVD or streaming : December 6, 2016
- Cast : Jahking Guillory , Christopher Jordan Wallace , Christopher Meyer
- Director : Justin Tipping
- Inclusion Information : Asian Movie Director(s) , Filipino Movie Director(s) , Multiracial Movie Director(s)
- Studio : Focus World
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : School ( High School )
- Run time : 80 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : violence, drug/alcohol use and language throughout, and sexual content - involving teens
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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