Highly entertaining and even more endearing, the elderly basketball romp “Uncle Drew” is the surprise comedy of the summer. The film, which features beloved NBA stars under layers of old-age makeup and a lead character developed for a series of Pepsi web videos, is just so incredibly strange its genuine humor and heart catch you off guard.
Writer Jay Longino and director Charles Stone III craft an underdog story around the character of Uncle Drew, a septuagenarian street baller invented and performed by 26-year-old Boston Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving, who simply channels the cantankerous old player. The film is guaranteed to make Irving a Hollywood star. He’s that charming on screen, even under layers of latex.
But “Uncle Drew” has several MVPs who make the movie work. Lil Rel Howery, who played everyone’s favorite TSA agent in “Get Out,” steps easily from the sidekick to the leading man role as Dax. He’s a basketball fan who dreams of running the court at the legendary blacktop tournament Rucker Classic in Harlem. (The $100,000 prize is also tempting.) Dax stays on the sidelines, coaching, still smarting from a wicked block laid down by his rival, Mookie (an off-the-wall Nick Kroll), as a youth.
When Mookie swipes Dax’s star player, team and girl (Tiffany Haddish), enter Uncle Drew. He seems to exist mostly in legends and rumors, storied for his skills and style, though he never made it big after his team broke up and they all disappeared in the ’70s. Now he spends his days schooling “youngbloods” at every playground court in town.
“Uncle Drew” hits all the familiar sports movie beats with its classic tournament structure. It’s a blast to watch the players ball on screen, though of course, the only way to fit them into the underdog trope is to make them old.
While the film loses some steam at the end, coasting on clichéd platitudes, the emotional groundwork has been laid for generic motivational quotes such as “you miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” to actually land. Especially coming out of Irving’s mouth, who takes the caricature and makes it into a real character.
Make no doubt about it, “Uncle Drew” is a very silly film, old-age makeup and all. But it’s got humor, heart and a killer soul soundtrack. You’d be soulless to not find some joy in this movie that’s pure summer fun.
MOVIE REVIEW
“Uncle Drew”
Grade: B
Starring Kyrie Irving, Lil Rel Howery and Shaquille O'Neal. Directed by Charles Stone III.
Rated PG-13 for suggestive material, language and brief nudity. Check listings for theaters. 1 hour, 43 minutes.
Bottom line: It's silly, but highly entertaining and endearing
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