Crossover

Theatrical Release Date: 2006 09 01 (USA)

UPC: 043396258051

Studio: Sony Pictures

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Profanity, Sexual Situations]

Summary: Director Preston A. Whitmore II brings the thrill of the street to the big screen with a fast-moving tale of underground basketball that proves no matter what team you play for, in the end it's all about how much game you've got. The stroke of midnight has sounded and the crowd has gathered; it's time for some basketball. Forget about the rules of the NBA, though, and throw those college credentials out the window because they don't mean a thing in this court. In a converted rail station, the only players who gain respect are the ones left standing when the clock hits zero, and the current champions have been standing way too tall for far too long. Now a new generation is ready to take over the top spot, and young hopefuls Tech (Anthony Mackie) and Cruise (Wesley Jonathan) are leading the charge. With everything on the line and the challenge of a lifetime before them, these too young street-ballers will be forced to out-dribble, out-shoot, and out-run their more experienced competitors in order to win the game and pave the way for the next crop of street smart shooters. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Category: Drama

Crossover

Format: Universal Media Disc

Release Date: 05/20/2008

Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 Theatre Wide-Screen

Runtime: 95 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English

Subtitles: English

Region: USA & territories, Canada

Derek Armstrong

Because Crossover was made during a fertile period for urban competitive-performance movies, most of which were overloaded with sass and bravado, one might assume Preston A. Whitmore II's film would follow the same template. It's kind of surprising, then, that the movie ultimately doesn't have much to do with competitive performance, but rather, the trials of two friends just trying to make it in their worlds. Crossover does begin with a high-stakes street game played in a beautiful old building with cathedral ceilings, where the players showcase all manner of hoops wizardry and in-your-face moves. But then basketball takes a backseat for a while, and we're given an opportunity to really get to know Tech (Anthony Mackie) and Cruise (Wesley Jonathan), as well as their new love interests (Kristen Wilson and Eva Pigford), who may or may not be interested in them for the right reasons. Whitmore's film is best during the long introspective sections in which the young ballers consider their options, and refreshingly, only one of them is fixated on trying to go pro, while the other sees his future in doctor scrubs. Paradoxically, the basketball sections are the weakest. Not only are they composed of the improbably slick game choreography seen in most basketball movies, but they're also full of red herrings. For example, one character explains a number of different scenarios in which a team might forfeit, yet none of these ever rears its head. (Plus, a hustle pulled by Tech and his friend is shamelessly plundered from White Men Can't Jump.) A treat for fans of Chappelle's Show: appearing as a soulless agent/bookie who manipulates talented amateurs, Wayne Brady resembles the spoof version of himself from that show, in which this famous nice guy drives the streets doing drugs and threatening prostitutes. ~ Derek Armstrong, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Neil Richardson  Actor 
Frank Mancuso, Jr.  Producer 
Preston A. Whitmore II  Director 
Preston A. Whitmore II  Screenwriter 
Matthias Weber  Composer (Music Score) 
Tom T. Gores  Executive Producer 
Johnny O. Lopez  Executive Producer 
Anthony Mackie  Actor 
Wesley Jonathan  Actor 
Wayne Brady  Actor 
Kristen Wilson  Actor 
Lil' J.J.  Actor 
Phillip "Hot Sauce" Champion  Actor 
Eva Pigford  Actor 
Alecia Fears  Actor 

Country: USA