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Like Mike
2002 99 min United States of America PG 12+
★5.9
Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Director: John Schultz
Trailers
Description
Calvin and his friends, who all live in an orphanage, find old shoes with the faded letters MJ connected to a powerline. One stormy night, they go to get the shoes when Calvin and the shoes are struck by lightning. Calvin now has unbelievable basketball powers and has the chance to play for the NBA.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$51.43M
Worldwide:
$62.3M
Starring
Shad Moss
Actor
Jonathan Lipnicki
Actor
Morris Chestnut
Actor
Awards
1 win & 6 nominations total
Key opinion
Like Mike is widely regarded as a nostalgic, family-friendly sports fantasy that resonates deeply with basketball fans and those who grew up in the early 2000s. While critics often find the plot formulaic or nonsensical, audiences appreciate its inspirational themes and the inclusion of real-life NBA stars.
| Culture | The integration of numerous real-life NBA superstars adds a layer of authenticity and excitement that appeals significantly to basketball fans. | |
| Emotion | The film successfully conveys uplifting themes of self-belief and the fulfillment of childhood dreams, serving as an inspirational narrative for younger viewers. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative structure, which relies on miraculous coincidences and a predictable 'Cinderella-story' arc, is viewed by some as too simplistic or illogical. | |
| Originality | Opinions on the film's aging are split: long-time fans maintain their original affection for its charm, while others find the comedic tone and technical execution to feel dated. |