Thunderstruck [Blu-ray] [Import]

This movie is basically "Like Mike" as a kid, in this case with no basketball talent, gets an NBA stars talent transferred to him. Not through magic shoes though in this case it's just like Space Jam where the talent is transferred through the ball.

The kid is usually picked on but because of his new basketball talent he becomes popular and shows up his bully before he becomes a jerk himself.

The basketball in it is pretty fake as the kid dunking looks like he's flying rather than jumping and the same play is shown a few times but from slightly different angles and supposed to be different plays. Mixed in are some Kevin Durant highlights/lowlights from actual games.

Durant plays himself and it is a good thing they gave him an energetic manager to pair next to him as otherwise his scenes are fairly boring. A Durant fan might like seeing him but he's not in it that much besides shooting poorly in a gym on a few occasions and trying to get his talent back from the kid

The highlight of the film is the charming Tristin Mays as Isabel. She plays the female lead of the movie and the love interest to Brian. She liked him for him and before his basketball transformation and calls him out for turning into a conceited jerk later on in the movie who's more focused on living the good life than staying true to his friends

In the end though the message is that teamwork and effort can trump overall talent and Brian somehow does more with a lack of talent than Kevin Durant ever did as he switched talents with Brian and is doing terrible in the NBA while Brian enjoys all of his success and no amount of practice has improved Durant's game. Brian does well with his lack of talent though and even after the switch back occurs he's supposedly better at basketball even though he practiced a lot before the switch and still stunk

Some mixed messages and limited basketball realism but recommended if you have small children who are a fan of the Thunder and or Kevin Durant

Every now and then, a film comes along and changes our perspective into the realm of logic and life. A film that warps reality, forcing the viewer to completely re think their entire life. A film that leaves you in such awe, words can do no justice. I have seen this film more times than I can count, and every single time I finish it, I want to immediately watch it again.

To start out, the director. When my children have children, they'll talk about the great directors making some of the best cinema of the 21st century. Paul Thomas Anderson, David Fincher, Terrance Malick and now John Whitesell. After previously directing the brilliant Big Momma's House trilogy, which are on par with the Star Trek Trilogy (Wrath of Khan, Search for Spock, The Voyage Home), the Lord of the Rings films, the Star Wars films and the Dollars films. Along with Malibu's Most Wanted, proving that Jamie Kennedy deserves an Oscar, and Deck the Halls with the comedy duo of Matthew Broderick and Danny Devito, in the shadow of Abbot and Costello. This is a man who has a vision to change the way we think but Thunderstruck completely wipes the floor with his other films. "Wipes the floor", get it?

I'm no sports fan but Kevin Durant needs to put down the basketball, and pick up an Oscar. He completely sells his role and you see him not as an actor, but as a man. On top of that, newcomer Taylor Gray, the Marlon Brando of the 21st century. You feel his struggles, see his anguish, jump for joy when he succeeds, mixes the bag of emotions that you won't be able to help yourself from. I found myself in tears walking out of the cinema, from his groundbreaking performance that not even the great Daniel Day Lewis can poke at. Once I left the theater and immediately purchased my ticket for the next showing, I had such tears in my eyes that after they hit the ticket, you could barely read the title.

It mixes comedy and drama well, going back to my previous point of the film stupendously mixing the emotions. At one moment, you laughing your basketballs off at the perfect chemistry of Durant and Gray as they struggle trying to get their powers back. You feel the anger when Gray's bullies rough him up with some foul talk, unaware of the genius in front of them. Feel the joy of their companionship and how the thing that brings them together is a game of basketball.

Aside from the acting, the writings is on par and doesn't feel outdated with it's various references. The film required two writers since it can't take just one to create a masterpiece. Eric Champnella who's previous work is Mr. 3000, the definitive baseball film, and the straight to Disney Channel (should've been permanently in cinemas) Mailed to the Chief. The other writer should also be noted, Jeff Farley who had a brilliant role as Tabby's Security Officer in the mind blowing Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Jr.

I could write a book on the brilliance of this film but words can do it no justice. It just HAS TO be seen to be believed. Make way for your top favorite films list, if this doesn't crack the top 3, don't ever act like you know cinema. Please, PLEASE experience this masterful, genius, brilliant work before you die. I PROMISE you won't regret it.

Sixteen-year old Brian (Taylor Gray) wants to be on the high school basketball team, but he has no skills. After Brian meets Kevin Durant, his game is perfected.

Although I'm not very interested in basketball, I enjoyed this movie. The beginning was okay, but it became much more entertaining once Alan (Durant's Agent played by Brandon T. Jackson) figured out what happened. Jackson's performance was as funny as I expected it to be. There are also important messages for young people about friendship and 'fitting in' - I liked that.

Thunderstruck is a good family film.
Favorite Line: Coach, is that from Hoosiers?