Movie Review: “Uncle Drew” is a light and joyful tribute to the NBA

Movie Review: “Uncle Drew” (PG-13)

“Uncle Drew” is a dopey but lovable comedy that fuses the ball-playing spirit of “He Got Game” with the zany “We’re putting the band back together!” vibe of “The Blues Brothers.” It isn’t a groundbreaking comical masterwork by any means, but chances are that if you’re a fan of the NBA, you’ll probably enjoy it as much as I did.

“Uncle Drew” is based on a series of amusing TV spots that featured NBA superstar Kyrie Irving as the title character, an elderly ex-pro basketball player who’s balling skills are just as sharp in his golden years as they were in his youth. The loosey-goosey plot here centers around Dax (Lil Rel Howery of “Get Out” fame), an eager Footlocker employee who moonlights as a basketball coach. Dax’s dream is to get his team into the finals of the Ruckers Classic street ball tournament in Harlem. The problem is that a rival from Dax’s past swoops in and snatches his dream team away from him. Thankfully, a chance encounter with Uncle Drew revitalizes Dax’s vision.

Ultimately, Uncle Drew agrees to aid in helping Dax realize his dream, but only if the shoe salesman will agree to allow him to assemble a team comprised of his ex-teammates. Reluctantly, Dax agrees, and what follows is a goofy road-trip movie that finds Uncle Drew getting the old team back together. And it won’t be easy, because all of these men now lead entirely new lives.

Again, “Uncle Drew” is essentially a road-trip comedy, but it’s encased in your quintessential sports-underdog-movie framework. As directed by Charles Stone III (“Drumline”), this film doesn’t take itself seriously, and that coupled with the pure joy exuded by a mostly NBA- and WNBA-headlined cast make the proceedings infectiously likable.

Irving and Howery are a lot of fun here as is a high-energy (and bitchy) Tiffany Haddish as Dax’s self-serving girlfriend, but it’s the plethora of pro-ball-playing supporting players who steal the show. Towering Shaquille O’Neill is a riot as a youth karate instructor who harbors resentment towards Drew. A low-key Nate Robinson makes a wonderful impression as a sad, wheelchair-bound old timer who just needs a spark to bring him out of his funk. Reggie Miller is a silly delight as a one-time prolific pure shooter whose blindness now prohibits him from being who he once was. Nick Kroll is also hilarious as an obnoxious rival from Dax’s youth. His insults and smarmy attitude bring to mind Christopher McDonald’s wonderful work as Shooter McGavin in “Happy Gilmore.”

While all the supporting players bring something amusing to the table, it’s Chris Webber who walks away with the movie as the scene-stealing Preacher Man. His introduction alone is certainly an “Uncle Drew” highlight! In fact, his memorable intro might be the most straight-up hilarious scene of its kind since James Brown’s Reverend Cleophus James made Dan Aykroyd’s Elwood “see the light!” Yes, Webber takes us to church in a big way, and furthermore, the man can sing! It should also be noted that his scenes with WNBA star Lisa Leslie are surprisingly sweet.

True, it would have been fun to see guys like Michael, Kobe, and LeBron make an appearance in “Uncle Drew,” but their absence doesn’t take away from the overall spirit of this simple-minded, lightweight comedy. Finally, it should be noted that amidst all the comical antics, a charming romance between Dax and the new twinkle in his eye (a charming Erica Ash), and a climactic “Rocky”-style showdown, “Uncle Drew” does offer up an inspiring message about the importance of basketball and how it essentially saved the lives of these wonderfully colorful characters and the superstars who portray them.

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