User reviews

I have to admit, I loved the ads when I first saw them a couple of years. What ads some might ask. The ads where Kyrie Irving played a fictional character called "Uncle Drew". I don't know how staged they were or if especially the first one people actually knew that under all that (really well done) makeup, was one of the best ballers - Kyrie.

Fast forward to 2018 and we get a movie based on that character that was only meant to sell a product. How could that be any good? And yet it is. If you are not too cynical that is. We are talking about a predictable story about a manager who could have been in the Jerry Maguire school of how to make money fast. But we know there is more. And there are more basketball players too - all playing different characters. Funny and hearfelt this really may touch you

Uncle Drew is based on a series of Pepsi Max advertisements that began in 2012, which introduced its titular character. A feature-length film based on a few television-length ad spots should spell disaster and may appear to be nothing more than a cash grab. Yet, surprisingly, it works.

Uncle Drew (played by Kyrie Irving in prosthetics and old-man makeup) is a streetball legend and one of the greatest to ever grace the blacktop at Rucker Park, the mecca of the outdoor hoops world. At least, he was great in 1968. After skipping the championship game 50 years ago, he disappeared.

Enter Dax (the always hilarious Lil Rel Howery), a basketball lifer whose playing career ended abruptly in junior high after a moment of failure that left him scarred. Now, he coaches, and he's putting together a team to vie for the $100,000 prize awarded to the winner of the annual tournament at Rucker Park.

After his lifelong nemesis steals his team, Dax seeks the help of Uncle Drew to field a roster. In hilarious fashion, they gather up Uncle Drew's old squad, zipping across the east coast in the old guy's ancient van that's equipped with shag carpets and an 8-track tape player.

Former pros Shaquille O'Neal, Lisa Leslie, Nate Robinson, Chris Webber and Reggie Miller, each flaunting geriatric garb and cartoonish characteristics, hop in the van and head off to re-live their glory days. None of them are doing this for fame or fortune. They're doing this for love of the game and love of each other.

This movie is not meant to be nitpicked. If you find yourself doing so, you will undoubtedly detect numerous issues that will detract from your enjoyment. I advise that viewers suspend their disbelief. This movie doesn't take itself too seriously and neither should anyone watching it.

The story (though derivative) and the characters (though mostly played by non-actors) are charming. The athletes won't win any awards for their performances, but they're out here having fun, and their fun is contagious. Their effervescence paired with the film's upbeat rhythm make this an enjoyable watch for basketball fans everywhere.

Make no mistake-this is a movie for basketball fans. Many of the jokes are inside references to the real lives of the former players and to other basketball movies (the homage to Hoosiers is a real treat). For good measure, the writers also mix in a fair amount of pop culture references, including Dax's joke about Get Out, which makes for an interesting meta moment, given that Lil Rel Howery also starred in that movie.

Ultimately, Dax's backstory fuels the film's heart and makes this a worthwhile watch to more than just hoop lovers. His character arc is deep and empathetic. Others have doubted him his whole life, and now his adversary (Nick Kroll) and unreliable girlfriend (Tiffany Haddish) doubt him once again. Through basketball and through his newfound friends, he finally finds someone to believe and him. And, most importantly, he learns to believe in himself.

Based on trailer had no plans to ever see this movie. So glad a friend ordered it on pay per view. Tell you up front that the storyline is trite and cliche ridden. Also tell you up front that the movie is much funnier than I anticipated. First half of the movie has belly laugh, laugh out loud lines sprinkled liberally throughout. Second half the hand sprinkling the laughs is a bit restrained. Perhaps there should be an early disclaimer that some of the laughs require some level of basketball and cultural insider knowledge. Not sure the quick "watch your tone" would resonate unless you've also heard "you better take that base out your voice." Do not go in thinking that you are going to see ground breaking cinema. What you will see and hear in this movie is great basketball players not taking themselves seriously (imagine that), cultural references that take you back to the day, music that reminds that old school music hasn't always been about sampling, and just enough ball that you can say that this is a basketball movie.

I'll admit, even though I'm a huge basketball fan, I went into this movie with very low expectations. The trailers didn't entice me much and the movie itself didn't start off too strong for me. However, as the story progressed, it got funnier and I was having a pretty good time! I was pleased to see that the movie had some heart to it, with some good messages towards the end. Lil' Rel Howery and Tiffany Haddish were pretty much the only strong performances, but you're not really looking for good acting in a cast comprised mainly of NBA players. Overall, Uncle Drew is a pretty predictable movie that doesn't do anything particularly special, but one that made me laugh, smile, and ultimately won me over.

You know that uncle who likes to make unfunny jokes and then you have to force a laugh so he'll stop repeating the punchline? That's Uncle Drew. It takes a semi-amusing premise and stretches it out way too long. Plus, there's far too many attempts at drama in this silly comedy based on a Pepsi commercial.

When I watched this movie back in August, it just made me even more happy and glad I played the game of basketball as well. Also it was cool to have Kyrie Irving, Lisa Leslie, Shaquille O'neal, Chris Webber, Nate Robinson and Reggie Miller as stars of the movie. It was so cool that they would work together taking time away from basketball, retirement, etc to make an all around great movie.

Worst movie of the year. really cringe-worthy. don't waste your time on this thrift store discount bin movie.

A film the whole family can enjoy some great laughs and set pieces other times it's slightly average but had enough laughs to get by without breaking any new ground and being a tad forgettable. Perfect viewing on a weary Sunday night.

Had high hopes but this is a one joke train wreck. It's all about perceived old people who magically mysteriously can can act like 20year olds and do young things....predictable from the start.....best line in the whole movie that made me laugh was half way through the 2 people next to me in the theater saying this is "terrible".

I'm a basketball fan, this movie was funny, and had a lot of celebrities in it. I enjoyed it.. wasn't bad.. chris Webber is awesome as the preacher, the chase scenes were funny... done expect an Oscar for best picture like some of these other ridiculous reviews were expecting a masterpiece.. it's a comedy calm down.. it was fun movie for the whole family..

It's a pretty funny movie but if you don't know anything about NBA or history then you likely won't enjoy the movie. But if you do it's really funny and has lot of appearances and short/old jokes. Worth the watch for NBA fans.

By all indications, this should have been a terrible movie. I mean it's a full length movie based on a 3 minute Pepsi ad. However, it actually kind of works. It was much funnier than I though it'd be. The NBA players are decent enough actors to get through the movie. It has some absolutely hilarious moments as well.

I thought this movie might turn out to be horrible. However, it is a solid heart in the center of it. The performances by a group of basketball players works decently. It is a worthwhile movie with a good message.

This film tells the story of a man who sets up a team to play in a basketball tournament.

The story is just not funny. The jokes are funny, and most of the time the film is dull. I was bored by it.

Surprisingly entertaining and fun to watch. Just don't expect to much from this 90 min Pepsi commercial.

Not worth the price of admission, but an ok movie to see when nothing else is on cable. Tired concept of prosthetic makeup and stereotypicle humor.

Hehe cool movie but not a great one ........Hehe cool movie but not a great one ........Hehe cool movie but not a great one ........

The trailer should've been enough to keep people away, but I figured perhaps this might be an over the top goofy comedy and have some laughs.... Nope. I shoulda known seeing as this went straight to video.

So how do you ruin a movie somewhat parodying Dr J and his posse of old men making a comeback? Well, you put a bunch of retired NBA legends in old man prosthetics and try to make them act. It might have worked if they weren't actually trying to act for real in a drama and just played a fun comedic role.

Unfortunately the film looks like a joke, and took itself too seriously, trying way too hard to push a touching heart and soul feeling with life lessons shoved in your face, along with done-to-death/play-it-safe sub-plots thrown in with who-cares-about-this one either lessons.

This film had potential to be a great comedy, or at least a fun feel-good comedy, but instead became a triple-double predictable and eye-rolling bore-fest that tried to be something no-one cares about.

Also the character of Uncle Drew fails to shine as any kind of Dr J, Jordan, Bird, Magic or any legend. He doesn't seem that good in the first place, and there is no build-up or anything special that comes through for who is supposed to be the star of this whole thing?

Overall, don't bother. Its as funny as Jamie Kennedy thinking dressing up as a woman and giving advice is a "prank"

So i thought the movie at first would look much like a Madea movie .. but it actually was enjoyable .. it was a bit slow and dull in the beginning but had a few jokes ,, had me giggling for a bit .. then the tournament and the action started and the whole thing turned to be nice movie over all.

As for the cast ,, i barely watch basketball,, even though i'm a fan ,, but of course i know Shaquille O'Neal and watched a couple videos for Webber and Reggie Miller and sure Irving, "Celtics fan in here" .. and they all did really good ,, i mean Shaq is hilarious and Lil Rel Howery did a fine job gluing all together.

final thought ,, not the most amazing sports movie ever,, but it's a nice comedy family movie ,, so it is recommended.

It was a ok movie. Dax was very very very annoying and I rolled my eyes everytime he opened his mouth. Didnt care that much seeing shaq's butt and yelled GOOD GOD when I saw that. Uncle Drew was very interesting character but I rarely laughed during this movie and I think 1 time sitting through this is enough for me.

Great movie that had a lot of comedy, but NBA and basketball lovers would really understand the jokes. Overall, if you haven't watched it yet, you NEED to watch it!

A very simple entertainment, the plot is not creative, the main players are NBA and WNBA. If you want to relax your brain and pass the boring time, it's a good choice.

I watched this at home on BluRay from my public library. I saved my wife the pain.

The premise is funny, a hustler loses his prize player and has to recruit basketball players to compete in the annual street basketball competition in Harlem. It is the movie version of the short "Uncle Drew" skits, most as Pepsi commercials. In them pro basketball player Kyrie Irving is dressed up as elderly Uncle Drew who crashes pickup games then proceeds to show up all the young hot shots to the amusement of the spectators.

Irving is very good in his role, both on the court and in the role of Uncle Drew. Shaq O'Neal is also good, in fact all the pro players are good. But the script is overly silly and annoying most of the time. In fact the first 10 to 15 minutes are mostly unbearable. Then it picks up when Uncle Drew makes an appearance.

The story involves a road trip, and one location is New Orleans, very recognizable, although the IMDb doesn't include it as a filming location. The short sequences of the "old guys" playing basketball are interesting, but most of the filler scenes are silly and uninteresting. However a few of the jokes are funny. Too many characters are overly annoying.

Not a particularly good movie.