Film
What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases
Bookmark this pageLike Mike (2002)
Director: John Schultz
Movie review
From Time Out Film Guide
'Orphans are like dogs; people only want puppies' - an accurate if cheesy observation by cynical bully Ox (Plemmons), who shares a dorm in the orphanage with Calvin Cambridge (teenage rapper Lil Bow Wow) and chums Murph (Lipnicki) and Reg (Song). Despite poor prospects, gloomy surroundings and creepy warden Stan Bittleman (Glover), things take an upturn when Calv gets a pair of used trainers with Michael Jordan's initials inside. Spookily, despite his li'l stature, Calvin's basketball moves improve when he puts on the sneakers - to the point that he's spotted by the LA Knights' manager and taken on to help them win the NBA title. In spite of a fanciful plot, not to mention shameless product placement, this kids' movie has plenty going for it. Bow Wow makes an impressive film debut; parents and children will love Calv's plucky can-do attitude; and the action sequences are given a little more oomph due to the presence of real life basketball pros.Author: JFu
Cast & crew
Director: John Schultz
Producer: Barry Josephson, Peter Heller
Cast: Lil Bow Wow, Morris Chestnut, Jonathan Lipnicki, Robert Forster, Crispin Glover, Anna Meara, Eugene Levy, Brenda Song, Jesse Plemmons full cast
Genre(s): Children's
Duration: 100 mins
Most popular on this site
Top Stories
Stephen Poliakoff discusses 'Glorious 39'
Stephen Poliakoff’s ‘Glorious 39’ is his first film for cinema since ‘Food of Love’ in 1997. Dave Calhoun met him
Is 'Paranormal Activity' the new 'Blair Witch'?
How does a film go from DIY experiment to box-office smash? 'Paranormal Activity' director Oren Peli explains
Steven Soderbergh on 'The Informant!' and 'The Girlfriend Experience'
We talk to Steven Soderbergh about his two forthcoming films: one featuring a porn star, the other a chubby Matt Damon
A gateway to all things 'New Moon'
In anticipation of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon', Time Out is offering the chance to pick up a limited edition pack with three exclusive magazines and a free poster.
London Children's Film Festival
Read our exclusive reviews of films playing at the 2009 London Children’s Film Festival
The films that deserve a TV spin-off
With Roland Emmerich suggesting he'd like to make a '2012' TV spin-off, we propose some more movie-to-TV serialisations
The Coen brothers discuss 'A Serious Man'
Masters of contrary comedy, Joel and Ethan Coen have struck gold again with their latest, ‘A Serious Man’
Michael Haneke discusses 'The White Ribbon'
Dave Calhoun met with Michael Haneke in Munich to mull over the details of his Palme d'Or winner, 'The White Ribbon'
Ten inspirations behind 'Avatar'?
Time Out ponders the influences behind James Cameron's anticipated space-opera on the basis of the trailer
Time Out's 50 greatest animated films with commentary by Terry Gilliam
In celebration of the release of Pixar's 'Up' and Wes Anderson's 'Fantastic Mr Fox', read our rundown of fifty classic feature length animations
What do you think?
Post your review now