Barnes & Noble

For anyone with hoop dreams, this fantasy is a slam-dunk. Child rapper Lil' Bow Wow stars as Calvin, a 13-year-old orphan whose life is transformed by a magical pair of sneakers that give him astounding basketball abilities. This pint-sized Michael Jordan is signed by the hapless Los Angeles Knights as a publicity stunt, becomes a sensation, and even forms a friendship with the team's sullen and selfish star, Tracey Reynolds (Morris Chestnut). Kids will cheer on the good-hearted Calvin as he triumphs on and off the court. Adding to the fun are cameos by such real-life NBA superstars as Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, and David Robinson. Scoring off the bench: Eugene Levy (American Pie) as the Knights' enterprising promotions director; Robert Forster as the team's nurturing, no-nonsense coach; Jonathan Lipnicki (Stuart Little) as Calvin's best friend; and Jesse Plemons as Calvin's nemesis from the orphanage. With its heartwarming story and hilarious game footage that recalls the flubber-enhanced antics in the original The Absent-Minded Professor, Like Mike is a real winner for the whole family. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide

Pint-size rap music star Lil Bow Wow shows that he can play ball as well as he raps in this youth-oriented comedy about a young boy whose dream comes true in an unexpected way. Calvin Cambridge (Lil Bow Wow) is a 14-year-old boy, who, since the death of his parents, has been living in an orphanage run by the unpleasantly eccentric Stan Bittleman (Crispin Glover). While the tough but caring Sister Theresa (Anne Meara) tries to encourage the kids, Calvin knows that he and most of the other kids his age are poor prospects for adoption. Calvin loves basketball and idolizes Michael Jordan, but he's too short to be much of a challenge to the older kids when shooting hoop at the playground. One day, Calvin discovers a pair of old basketball sneakers with the initials "MJ" written on the inside. Calvin is convinced they once belonged to Michael Jordan, but he can hardly believe what happens when he puts them on -- suddenly he's able to make superhuman jump shots and dunks just like a miniature version of Air Jordan himself. Calvin's newly developed talent on the court comes to the attention of Frank Bernard (Eugene Levy), the manager of the Los Angeles Knights, an NBA team having a humiliating season. Bernard brings Calvin to the team as a novelty item, but with the help of Coach Wagner (Robert Forster) and the new kid's can-do attitude, the Knights start to climb out of the cellar and look like possible season champs. However, Tracey Reynolds (Morris Chestnut), who used to be the team's star player, isn't happy to have his thunder stolen by a 14-year-old boy -- especially when he's made Calvin's roommate and de-facto guardian on the road. Like Mike also features cameo appearances by a number of pro basketball stars, including Allen Iverson, Chris Webber, and Jason Kidd. Mark Deming

San Francisco Chronicle

One of the summer's pleasant surprises.

Product Details

• UPC: 024543057024
• Source: 20TH CENTURY FOX
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Pre-1954 Standard (1.33.1), Theatre Wide-Screen (1.85.1)
• Sound: Dolby Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français, Español
• Subtitles: English, Español
• Time: 1:40:00
• Sales Rank: 7,482

This DVD is also available as part of a box set:

• Like Mike / Dr Dolittle 2
• Like Mike / Dr Dolittle 2
• Catch That Kid / like Mike
• Sports Pack
• Like Mike Box Set

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