Review of The Longshots (2008) by Ryan M — 16 Jun 2010
Not only was I convinced I was going to hate this movie, I WANTED to hate this movie. This is a formula movie in every way, shape and form, and the trailers had me cringing all summer long. Believe me, you've seen this movie before. I've probably seen it a DOZEN times before, but I'll be damned if it didn't win me over and it did so seemingly without me even realizing it. I'm giving it a mild recommendation because I had to admit the movie worked on me.
Rapper-turned-actor Ice Cube has been careful throughout his career of picking varied roles that have helped him grow as an actor. His character here is very familiar, but Cube's understated, mature performance pulls us in. Also good is young Keke Palmer as his neice. She's a winning new face who was also very good in the better "Akeelah and the Bee", but with only two films under her belt, she is proving herself to be a very talented young actress. The script here doesn't aspire to greatness, and the movie never elevates itself above pleasant time-killer, but sometimes that's enough. I even appreciated the "Lucas"- style ending that keeps the film grounded and real.
The likeable cast sell this movie for all it's worth, and they're successful. Like it's characters, "The Longshots" is an underdog that comes out on top.
This review of The Longshots (2008) was written by Ryan M on 16 Jun 2010.
The Longshots has generally received mixed reviews.
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