Above the Rim (1994)

53% of critics liked it
(19 reviews)
83% of users liked it
(29,662 ratings)

A young aspiring professional basketball player must make some tough decisions in this sports melodrama. Kyle Lee is a talented basketball player in high school. While he waits to find out if he will receive a scholarship to Georgetown he finds himself in a difficult dilemma over a playground… More A young aspiring professional basketball player must make some tough decisions in this sports melodrama. Kyle Lee is a talented basketball player in high school. While he waits to find out if he will receive a scholarship to Georgetown he finds himself in a difficult dilemma over a playground basketball tournament. He must decide whether to follow his good-hearted coach or Birdie, the local gangster. Kyle is also feeling resentment for the security guard his mother is falling for. The coach also wants the guard to play, but due to the tragic death of a friend, the guard cannot bear the thought of playing again. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 33 min.
Directed By: Jeff Pollack
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Mar 23, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jun 1, 2004
Studio: New Line Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Brian Lowry, Variety
A fine cast and the movie's general energy can't overcome that mix of cliches and technical flaws.
Janet Maslin, New York Times
Above the Rim has its formulaic elements, but it has been vigorously directed by Jeff Pollack, who appreciates the lively and unpretentious aspects of the story.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
It's Shakur who steals the show. The rapper's offscreen legal problems are well known, but there's no denying his power as an actor.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
A stultifying cliche of a movie -- even by sports-flick standards -- this basketball allegory doesn't get anywhere near the rim.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
The movie lives easily on the streets where it is shot, and the performances -- especially by Martin, Shakur and Pinkins -- are convincing.
Karen McCluskey, Empire Magazine
It ain't got game.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
A superficial and predictable sports drama with an inner-city background, Above the Rim nevertheless offers engaging characters, fast-paced direction, and strong performances.
, Time Out
A formula script, but a mobile camera, pulsing rap soundtrack and a game cast whip up the necessary fizz.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A highly memorable movie
Wesley Lovell, Apollo Guide
There's not a whole lot to this DVD release.
Wesley Lovell, Apollo Guide
When you play with something this formulaic, you're bound to trip upon a theme that has been endlessly explored and agonizingly overdone.
Robert Roten, Laramie Movie Scope
Although well-intentioned, this film is a notch below Blue Chips.
Dragan Antulov, rec.arts.movies.reviews
The actors are very good.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
A very familiar dish, but prepared reasonably well.
Marc Savlov, Austin Chronicle
The whole thing is mired in a slow-footed sea of pedantic blather. Heavy-handed explanations are given left and right, and you wish they'd all just shut up and play the game.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Despite obvious weaknesses, however, the film gets a huge boost from several excellent performances.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Phil H

Very cliched and dated gangster/basketball flick set in NY as a young black teen tries to get a basketball scholarship whilst battling against a local thug and his former basketball star brother who is now a security guard at their high school. Everyone in this film is a cliche haha… More
Very cliched and dated gangster/basketball flick set in NY as a young black teen tries to get a basketball scholarship whilst battling against a local thug and his former basketball star brother who is now a security guard at their high school. Everyone in this film is a cliche haha Shakur is yet another gangster (he couldn't do anything else, useless), Wayans is annoying and camp as usual, Duane Martin is the annoying loud mouth cocky star player and Leon is the quiet dark horse and probably the best thing in the film. Basically you have all the usual gangster nonsense with all the hilariously bad street clothes worn by Shakur and co, lots of foul language, deals, guns and adults trying to get these dumb asses to grow up and get a life. The only decent thing in the whole film is the small segments of basketball and the competition at the finale which does show some good genuine skills and reminded me a little of 'White Men Can't Jump' minus the comedy.
Manu G

The Hardest Part Of Winning Is Choosing Sides. Saw it again! One of the best basketball movies you will ever see. The story is superb and the basketball moves are spot on, no fakes here, this is as real as it is. Great cast and the acting was very strong and realistic. Story of… More
The Hardest Part Of Winning Is Choosing Sides. Saw it again! One of the best basketball movies you will ever see. The story is superb and the basketball moves are spot on, no fakes here, this is as real as it is. Great cast and the acting was very strong and realistic. Story of Kyle-Lee Watson, a promising high school basketball star, and his relationships with Birdie, a powerful drug dealer, and Birdie's brother, Thomas 'Shep' Sheppard, himself once a promising high school star at Kyle's school, now employed as a security guard.
danny d

too ghetto, but i actually find tupac to be a fantastic actor
Fascade F

Should be a certified classic... The underworld view of the street ball pick-up /high school games...play or be played!
Daniel D

Pretty good. Great music I love how they followed 2 stories.but the end was pretty predictable and it probably wouldn't be poepular without tupac
Tom S

You gotta love Tupac as the bad guy. Some decent ball.