shooting stars movie reviews

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Parents' guide to, shooting stars.

• Common Sense Says
• Parents Say 2 Reviews
• Kids Say 0 Reviews

Common Sense Media Review

Well-acted basketball biopic has language, teen drinking.

Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Shooting Stars is the story of LeBron James' (played by Marquis Cook) start in basketball surrounded by his group of best friends. Based on the book by James & Buzz Bissinger, it also shows the importance of positive male role models in young boys' lives, especially young Black…

Why Age 14+?

At least one use each of "f--k," and the "N" word. Also: "s--t," "bulls--t," "he

When they become teenagers, the boys become interested in "getting girls." Teens

The boys attend a high school party where people are drinking heavily and they a

High schools (basketball competitors); sports outlets like Sports Illustrate

Some fights break out among boys and players at different points. In one scene w

Any Positive Content?

Kids, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, need and deserve positi

The boys are regular kids and teenagers growing up, but they also have special t

The main cast is mostly Black. There's a lot of slang and street talk between th

Parents need to know that Shooting Stars is the story of LeBron James ' (played by Marquis Cook) start in basketball surrounded by his group of best friends. Based on the book by James & Buzz Bissinger, it also shows the importance of positive male role models in young boys' lives, especially young Black boys from disadvantaged backgrounds with absentee or addict parents. It portrays the teamwork , on and off the court, of James and his best childhood friends who played ball together. There's some fighting that breaks out, high school drinking and hangovers, teenagers making out, and sports-related brands on display. Language includes f--k," the "N" word, "s--t," "bulls--t," "hell," "damn," "ass," "dumbass," "bitch," "pimping," "ho," and more.

To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

At least one use each of "f--k," and the "N" word. Also: "s--t," "bulls--t," "hell," "damn," "ass," "dumbass," "bitch," "pimping," "ho," "sucker," "sucks," "cocky bastard," "jeez," "stupid," "midget."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

When they become teenagers, the boys become interested in "getting girls." Teens make out at a party and in a car. There's mention of porn and a joke about someone's mom sending pictures. People use the term "ho."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

The boys attend a high school party where people are drinking heavily and they also drink. LeBron has a hangover the next day. He vomits then plays another game at a different time with a hangover after going to a party with pro players (not shown) the night before. It's mentioned that Willie's parents were addicts and he had to be raised by a brother.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

High schools (basketball competitors); sports outlets like Sports Illustrated and ESPN; clothing and shoe brands like Hilfiger, Nike, Adidas; YMCA, Salvation Army; cars like Toyota, Honda, Hummer; LeBron takes Savannah to Outback Steakhouse on their first date. La Quinta Inn. Lots of Akron sites. The movie is based on a book that could benefit from the film release.

Violence & Scariness

Some fights break out among boys and players at different points. In one scene where they're playing a match at a city park, they hear gunshots in the distance. The boys have faced struggles growing up, including addict or absentee parents.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Positive Messages

Kids, especially those from underprivileged backgrounds, need and deserve positive adult role models and to be given opportunities to fulfill their potential. It takes a village to raise a child. "It's not how you start the game, it's how you finish."

Positive Role Models

The boys are regular kids and teenagers growing up, but they also have special talents. They just need the opportunity to show their skills. They band together and demonstrate teamwork on the court and off by creating a makeshift family and supporting each other. They welcome a fifth teammate in need of friends. Dru provides a solid male role model figure as well as a coach for the boys as they grow. Their St Vincent's coach uses their success to get a new job, prompting feelings of abandonment among the boys. LeBron's mother keeps a watchful eye on him and is unhappy when he gets a tattoo at age 14.

Diverse Representations

The main cast is mostly Black. There's a lot of slang and street talk between the boys. There's also reference to the "struggle," and some of their difficulties growing up -- having little money, coming from a rough area, and dealing with abandonment. LeBron is raised by a single mother who has to work extra shifts to make ends meet, and another character's parents were addicts. Two Akron high school rival teams are largely split along racial lines. When the group of boys ends up at the majority White school whose mascot is the fighting "Irish," they joke they'll be the "Black Irish." It seems the only other Black students at the school are also on the basketball team.

Did we miss something on diversity? Suggest an update .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Parent and Kid Reviews

• Parents say (2)

Based on 2 parent reviews

What it truly means to be Friends

Family friendly movie and a must see film, what's the story.

SHOOTING STARS tells the "origin" story of basketball phenomenon LeBron James (played by Marquis Cook) and his best buddies from childhood -- Little Dru ( Caleb McLaughlin ), Sian Cotton ( Khalil Everage ), and Willie McGee (Avery S. Willis, Jr.). The group was formed by Little Dru's dad, Dru Joyce ( Wood Harris ), when they were little kids playing community basketball. Giving the boys a positive male role model, an after-school activity to keep them out of trouble, and a makeshift family, basketball became their life. When they reach high school age, Coach Dru negotiates a place for them on a team. But when Lil Dru realizes the school coach plans to put him on the JV team, he secures the group a tryout for the local private school's team under former NCAA Coach Keith Dambrot ( Dermot Mulroney ). The boys lead the team to a string of victories their freshman year, and James in particular generates national attention over the course of his high school career. The rest is history.

Is It Any Good?

This high-spirited film introduces a group of young actors with great potential and offers an original and entertaining take on a well-known celebrity. What's especially appealing about Shooting Stars is its focus on LeBron and friends as kids and teenagers. It's refreshing for a sports biopic not to try to glorify or romanticize its subjects. Beyond their special and hard-earned skills, LeBron and his buddies come across as regular kids with typical teen concerns, and the film gives them space to do that. Director Robinson relies on the charm and chemistry of his young cast, led by endearing newcomer Cook and a powerful McLaughlin (of Stranger Things' fame).

Robinson and cinematographer Karsten Gopinath throw in some flashy camerawork that feels distracting at first but later, especially during fast-paced games when the camera is on the floor following the players, it makes sense. Similarly, the soundtrack starts off with heavy-handed instrumental music that gives way to contemporary tunes the characters themselves listen to. In the switch, the music contributes to rather than distracts from the characterizations. It's the film's focus on friendship and identity that makes this combo sports and high school/male bonding movie a rewarding and enjoyable watch.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

Families can talk about how the boys in Shooting Stars demonstrate teamwork , both on and off the court. In what ways is their makeshift family important for each of them?

Did you learn anything new about LeBron James in this film? Where could you go to learn more?

How does this film compare with other basketball movies you've watched? How about with other films about famous athletes?

If you've read the book the movie is based on, what's missing? What can a film do differently from a book?

Movie Details

• On DVD or streaming : November 7, 2023
• Cast : Marquis Cook , Wood Harris , Caleb McLaughlin
• Director : Chris Robinson
• Inclusion Information : Black actors, Black writers
• Studio : Peacock
• Genre : Drama
• Topics : Sports and Martial Arts , Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , High School
• Character Strengths : Teamwork
• Run time : 116 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG-13
• MPAA explanation : strong language, some suggestive references and teen drinking
• Award : Common Sense Selection
• Last updated : October 16, 2024

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

Suggest an Update

What to watch next.

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• Sports and Martial Arts
• Great Boy Role Models
• High School

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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Shooting Stars

A look at the young life of basketball star LeBron James. Feature film adaptation of LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger's book 'Shooting Stars'. A look at the young life of basketball star LeBron James. Feature film adaptation of LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger's book 'Shooting Stars'. A look at the young life of basketball star LeBron James. Feature film adaptation of LeBron James and Buzz Bissinger's book 'Shooting Stars'.

• Chris Robinson
• Frank E. Flowers
• Tony Rettenmaier
• Juel Taylor
• Marquis Mookie Cook
• Wood Harris
• Caleb McLaughlin
• 15 User reviews
• 20 Critic reviews
• 62 Metascore
• 2 wins & 3 nominations

Top cast 99+

• LeBron James
• (as Mookie Cook)

• Coach Dru Joyce II

• Lil Dru Joyce III
• Willie McGee
• (as Avery S. Wills Jr.)

• Sian Cotton
• Romeo Travis
• (as Scoot Henderson)

• Keith Dambrot

• Gloria James

• Carolyn Joyce

• Jimmy Podeski
• (as Malcolm Walters)

• (as Jon Solomon)
• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia This movie was shot on location all over Akron, Ohio and Cleveland, Ohio. Some of the basketball scenes were shot at Case Western Reserve University near downtown Cleveland, Ohio. The actor portraying, LeBron James, Mookie Cook, plays D-1 college basketball at University of Oregon, and the actor playing Carmelo Anthony, Jett Howard, plays D-1 college basketball at University of Michigan. -Brad Pyner

Coach Dru Joyce II : How successful you become depend on how well you manage pressure.

• Connections References The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990)
• Soundtracks Zoom Written by Ronald La Pread (as Ronald LaPread), Lionel Richie Performed by The Commodores (as Commodores) Courtesy of Motown Records Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User reviews 15

• RobTheWatcher
• Jun 29, 2023
• How long is Shooting Stars? Powered by Alexa
• June 2, 2023 (United States)
• United States
• Cleveland Heights, Ohio, USA
• Cold Front Productions
• SpringHill Entertainment
• Tangerine Pictures
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• Runtime 1 hour 56 minutes

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