Expectations were quite low for Uncle Drew, now on DVD, Blu-Ray and digital download. Imagine my surprise how utterly delightful the film was and now everyone can check out the basketball-themed comedy featuring a who’s who of current and veteran NBA legends, a couple of comic all-stars and a boatload of film fun.
The setting is street basketball on the roundball crazy landscape of New York City. When Dax (Lil Rel Howery) loses his basketball team to his rival, Mookie (Nick Kroll), he is ready to hang it up—except there’s one thing. He has invested everything in this street ball tourney and if he doesn’t field a team (and fast), he will lose everything he’s worked towards. A visit to the local barbershop provides a moment of inspiration. It’s time for Dax to meet a legend… Uncle Drew (Boston Celtics superstar Kyrie Irving).
It seems that Uncle Drew was all that and a bag of chips back in the day and word on the street is that the elusive icon still has “it.” That’s all Dax needs to hear for him to head out, newly inspired, to convince the somewhat reclusive (and old) basketballer to field a team, enter the street basketball tourney and hopefully… win him some cash, and some respect!
Drew and Dax hop in the old man’s van (a delightful vehicle if there ever was one) and head across the eastern U.S. in search of his former teammates with hopes of “getting the band back together.”
Enter Big Fella (Shaquille O’Neal), Preacher (Chris Webber), Lights (Reggie Miller), Boots (Nate Robinson) and Betty Lou (Lisa Leslie). Collectively, if they can just get themselves on the same page, they might do some damage in this street ball tourney. Of course, that “getting themselves together” aspect provides a large amount of the humor. Besides truly “working” on many levels, that was another aspect that took me by surprise. Uncle Drew is both heartwarming and hilarious.
That should not have been a surprise when we look at the players making up the roster of this flick. Howery is a comic whose star is rapidly rising (he scored a Fox comedy that premieres this Fall). His chemistry with Irving is off the charts and that is also the case with the “she’s everywhere right now” comedy brilliance that is Tiffany Haddish (see her in Night School, out now). She portrays Jess, his girlfriend, then ex-girlfriend who jumps ship (just like his team) and is now on the arm of Mookie. Ouch! That’s gotta hurt. But Dax’s loss is our gain as the banter between Haddish and Howery is comedy gold.
Don’t miss our full theatrical Uncle Drew review!
Another amazement arrives in the form of the fact that the former (and one current) NBA stars can actually act. They nail their characters and bring real emotion and comic timing to their roles, beyond being able to still slam dunk and everything else that the game requires them to do in Uncle Drew.
The film began as an advertising campaign and a series of shorts with Irving donning the grey hair wig and doing his best moves against young upstarts that were “a third” of his age. Producers of the film must have seen something and knew there was something special here, and there absolutely is as Irving has layers to his characterization that shows some serious promise, should the baller want to pursue acting when his B-ball days are over.
Of course, Kroll is fabulous—when is he not.
Not sure this thing deserves a sequel, but there is something magical about all of these cats together that is utterly delightful, and we would adore a chance to see them back together for another film. Yes, I just said that!
Bonus features are also quite enjoyable, particularly Who Is Uncle Drew? The Making of a Basketball Icon. The ten-minute featurette looks at the history of the character, to get those of you who don’t know his origins up to speed. Once you’re fully aware of all things Uncle Drew, be sure to dive into Dear Drew. The animated short is a cartoon tribute to the character and just like everything else in the Uncle Drew universe, is just a joy.
Enhanced Audio Commentary with Director Charles Stone III earns its “enhanced” status with a few bells and whistles which won’t be spoiled here, other than to see they add several minutes to the running time of the actual film.
Giving the younger comics in the film their due (beyond the basketball legends) was a great idea and arrives in the form of Youngbloods of Comedy. The too-short three-minute featurette further explores the brilliance of Howery, Haddish and more.
Lastly, don’t miss a look at that van that is almost a character in Uncle Drew. Bucket Seats and Boom Boom Rooms: Uncle Drew’s Van explores the vehicle that is as much a part of the character as his jump shot.
Film Grade: B-
Bonus Features: B