Like Mike 2: Streetball

Name: Like Mike 2: Streetball
Item: Like Mike 2: Streetball
Rating: 3
Author: Sandie Angulo Chen

Movie review by

Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media

Like Mike 2: Streetball Movie Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 8+

(i)

Basketball fantasy teaches about teamwork, friendship.

PG
2006
95 minutes

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

Educational Value

Not intended to be educational, but kids might learn some basketball terminology.

Positive Messages

Like most sports movies, there are positive messages about teamwork, friendship, and the difference between loving a game and doing it just as a means to achieve fame and fortune. There are some subtle sexist messages too, in the form of sexualized female characters.

Positive Role Models & Representations

Jerome aka Triple J learns that basketball is a team sport, not just a one-man-show, and that he should play for the love of the game, not for what kind of business perks it provides. He also discovers the importance of his relationship with his father. Jerome Sr. realizes that he needs to be more present for his son instead of always at work. Ray, who only saw dollar signs being Jerome's manager, learns his lesson -- albeit the hard way. Jerome's best friends accept his apology for acting like a jerk and remind him that friendship is unconditional.

Violence & Scariness

Some players are mean to and aggressive with Triple J and his friends on the court (trash talking and pushing), and one player is an ex con with an ankle bracelet who acts menacing toward the younger players. During a game, one boy falls so hard he sprains his ankle.

Sexy Stuff

The team's publicist Lexy is called "Sexy Lexy," because she's beautiful and wears form-fitting outfits. In one scene, Lexy and one of the players share a quick kiss after flirting for half of the movie. Triple-J briefly appears in a music video where he's in a Jacuzzi with two girls in bikinis. Triple-J goes on a limo ride with older players and girls who are dressed provocatively.

Language

Mild language and insults include "brainless," "choker," "loser," "chump," "jerk," "fool," "loser" "stupid," "idiot," "scrub," and other similar epithets.

Consumerism

There's a lot of Nike in this movie. Not only are the MJ-inscribed sneakers Nikes but lots of the sportswear worn or shown is also Nike. The store Foot Locker is mentioned once, and a pair of Chuck Taylor sneakers are also highlighted in a scene.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this straight-to-DVD sequel to Like Mike features some of the same themes about the love of basketball, what it means to be a friend, and how there's no "I" in team. Some of the adult streetball players insult Jerome and his friends until Jerome proves he's got extraordinary skills on the court. There is frequent use of mild insults from "jerk" to "idiot" to "fool," but there are no harsher swear words. Families should take note that there is moderate innuendo when it comes to women spectators and fans (aka "groupies"). In one scene, Triple J is in a music video sitting in a Jacuzzi with two girls who are in bikinis; and a grown-up couple flirts and shares a kiss. Tweens will be reminded of the importance of sticking by your friends and playing with your team not for your own glory.

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What's the story?

Jerome (Jascha Washington) loves to play basketball with his best friends Rodney (Brett Kelley) and Nathan (Micah Williams), but they're not quite good enough to take command of their local court. When Jerome, whose father Jerome Sr. (Michael Beach) was once a potential NBA contender who flamed out under pressure, comes across a pair of old Nikes with the initials "MJ," he puts them on and is instantly transformed into an amazing player with Michael Jordan-like moves. Jerome is so good he's asked to join the local streetball team "Game On" to compete in a big competition. Newly dubbed "Triple J," Jerome falls under the influence of a greedy distant relative Ray (Kel Mitchell), who convinces him that he should show up the rest of the team, stop associating with his friends, and cash in on endorsement deals. Triple J must decide whether to play for fame or the game.

Is it any good?

Compared to other direct-to-DVD offerings, at least this sequel has an amusing plot, with decent performances and even a few laughs. While not as famous as Bow Wow when he starred in the original Like Mike, Washington is charming enough to carry the story of a young teen who just really wants to be great at basketball. As the father, Beach -- a terrific television actor -- stands out as overqualified in the cast, but his presence lends some serious acting skills to the project. Mitchell, as per usual, is well cast as the fast-talking opportunist who steers Triple J in the wrong direction.

Although LIKE MIKE 2 isn't an instant classic (and there are a couple of depictions of the sexy groupie that are unnecessarily), this is the kind of light-hearted sports fairy tale that will entertain and educate tweens of some basic truths on and off the court: showboating and stealing your team's thunder isn't cool; friends should be forever, not just when it's convenient; and fathers and sons need each other's support and encouragement.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about whether the sneakers are truly magical, or if they just boost Triple-J's self confidence when playing. Is there any lesson to learn if the shoes were enchanted?
Why does Triple J do as Ray says and ignore his friends? Should you pretend you're better than your friends because you're famous and they're not?
At first, Triple J single-handedly wins most of his team's games, forgetting it's a team sport. Is a win a win no matter how the game is played? What makes Triple J change his attitude?
What are the women's role in this movie? Can you identify any stereotypes in this movie?