Watch Like Mike

Like Mike is a 2002 comedy sports film about a young orphan named Calvin Cambridge (played by Shad Moss) who miraculously finds a pair of Michael Jordan's sneakers which grants him unbelievable basketball skills. After getting picked up to play for the local basketball team, the LA Knights, led by Tracy Reynolds (played by Morris Chestnut), Calvin quickly becomes a fan-favorite and helps lead his underdog team to success. Along the way, he forms a bond with his teammate Murph (played by Jonathan Lipnicki) and learns some important life lessons about perseverance, teamwork, and family.

The film opens with young Calvin Cambridge living in an orphanage, where he is frequently bullied by other children for being short and shy. He idolizes basketball superstar Michael Jordan and practices his moves every chance he gets, despite his lack of skill. One day, he finds a pair of old sneakers with the initials "MJ" on them and decides to wear them to a local basketball game. To his amazement, he discovers that the sneakers have magical powers and suddenly becomes an incredible basketball player.

With his newfound skills, Calvin quickly gets recruited to play for the LA Knights and becomes a key player on the team. Alongside his teammates, including Tracy Reynolds, Murph, and Ox (played by Jesse Plemons), Calvin helps the team win games and gain a following of fans. However, Tracy is initially skeptical of Calvin's abilities and has trouble trusting him due to his age and lack of experience.

As Calvin's popularity grows, he sets his sights on personal goals, including breaking MJ's scoring record and earning a spot on the NBA. However, he soon realizes that winning isn't everything and learns important lessons about humility, teamwork, and the importance of family. He also becomes close with Murph, a fellow orphan who serves as his rock throughout the film, and develops a father-son relationship with Coach Wagner (played by Robert Forster).

Like Mike is a heartwarming and entertaining family film that showcases the classic underdog story. It boasts a talented cast, including former rap star Shad Moss, child actor Jonathan Lipnicki, and seasoned actor Morris Chestnut. The film also features plenty of impressive basketball scenes, showcasing a range of skills and moves. While it follows a familiar formula and can be predictable at times, Like Mike offers a fun and uplifting experience that is sure to delight sports fans of all ages.

In conclusion, Like Mike is a charming and feel-good sports film that celebrates perseverance, teamwork, and the power of imagination. With its strong cast, impressive basketball scenes, and valuable life lessons, the film remains a beloved family favorite over 18 years after its initial release.

Like Mike is a 2002 kids & family movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 47.