More than a Game

More than a Game is a 2008 American documentary film that follows basketball superstar LeBron James and four of his teammates through the trials and tribulations of high school basketball in Akron, Ohio, and James's journey to fame. The film trailer was released in April featuring the single "Stronger" by Mary J. Blige, which she released in support of the film. The soundtrack titled Music Inspired by More than a Game was released September 28, 2009.[2] The film had limited theatrical release on October 2, 2009.

For the 2007 book about cricket, see More Than a Game: The Story of Cricket's Early Years.
More than a Game
Theatrical release poster
Directed byKristopher Belman
Produced byHarvey Mason Jr.
Kristopher Belman
Kevin Mann
Written byKristopher Belman
Brad Hogan
StarringLeBron James
Dru Joyce III
Romeo Travis
Sian Cotton
Willie McGee
Dru Joyce II
Music byHarvey Mason Jr.
Edited byScott Balcerek
Distributed byLionsgate
Release date
  • September 6, 2008 (2008-09-06) (Toronto International Film Festival)
  • October 2, 2009 (2009-10-02) (United States)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$960,387[1]

Plot

More than a Game is a documentary that focuses in on five young basketball players—LeBron James, Dru Joyce III, Romeo Travis, Sian Cotton, Willie McGee—and their coach, Dru Joyce II, performing on an AAU team with the growing stardom of the future NBA superstar, LeBron James. Taking them through their pre-teens to high school, this film follows their incredible journey as the unknown Ohio team rises to the top of youth athletics.

Cast
More than a Game director Kristopher Belman, 2009

Soundtrack
Main article: Music Inspired by More than a Game
James at a press conference in New York City discussing the film

The music is mainly inspired by A. J. Mighton and John Colwill. An executive producer of the movie, Harvey Mason Jr.,[3] also is an executive producer of the soundtrack album, Music Inspired by More than a Game. The album was due for release on September 28, 2009 in the UK and September 29 in the US.[4] Interscope is the main record label involved although Polow da Don's label Zone 4 inc/productions Mason's Harvey Mason Media the main production associates and publishers involved.[5] Producers for the project include Boi-1da, Danielle Rayna, Polow da Don and Jerome Harmon amongst others.[5]

The soundtrack features songs from Ester Dean, Drake, T.I., Mary J. Blige, Jay-Z,. The album also features additional vocals or raps from Chris Brown, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Toni Braxton, JoJo, Jordin Sparks, Ya Boy, Omarion, and Faith Evans plus others. A number of songs were released as singles. First, "Stronger" by Mary J Blige is the soundtrack's lead single and was released on August 4, 2009 to support the film and later on August 21, 2009 as the second single from Blige's ninth studio album also titled Stronger.[6] "Drop It Low" by Ester Dean (with Chris Brown) was released as a single on August 9, 2009 while "Forever" by Drake (featuring Kanye West, Lil Wayne, & Eminem) was released as a single on September 15, 2009.

Reception

Box office

More than a Game opened with $182,943 in its first weekend and grossed a total of $960,387, $950,675 in the United States and Canada, and $9,712 worldwide.[7]

Critical response

On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 71%, based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 6.4/10. The site's critical consensus reads, "Though the film may not delve as deep as some would prefer, More than a Game is an inspiring documentary featuring likable youngsters, a positive message, and some exciting in-game footage."[8] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 59 out of 100, based on 18 reviews, indicating "mixed or average reviews."[9]

References
  1. "More Than a Game (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  2. "More Than A Game: Original Soundtrack: Amazon.co.uk: Music". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved 2009-09-20.
  3. "Mason's Talents Not Limited to basketball - ARIZONA OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE". Arizonawildcats.com. 2009-08-03. Archived from the original on 2011-07-27. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  4. "Music Inspired By The Film More Than A Game: Original Soundtrack:a Music". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  5. ""More Than A Game Soundtrack" to feature Eminem, T.I., Tyrese and more..." HipHopRuckus.Com. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  6. "Video: Mary J. Blige – 'Stronger'". Rap-Up.com. 2009-08-21. Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  7. "More Than a Game (2009)". Box Office Mojo. Amazon.com. Retrieved October 10, 2011.
  8. "More Than a Game (2009)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
  9. "More Than a Game". Metacritic. CBS Interactive. Retrieved June 29, 2018.
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