Sports Comedy With Real Balls.

Rating: 6/10 (19 August 2015)

BASEketball (1998): Dir: David Zucker / Cast: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Dian Bachar, Yasmine Bleeth, Jenny McCarthy: Interesting idea from the creators of South Park. Vulgar comedy could have been a dreary sequel to Mighty Ducks or Major League. It regards a driveway sport where a basketball is aimed at a net and the opponent must psyche out the player to make him miss the shot. Trey Parker and Matt Stone render the game famous and play against other teams. Effective plot boils down to formula but its title suggests a combination of ideas and talents. David Zucker directs with fine comic inspiration but it is not in the same league as his Top Secret or Airplane. Surprisingly good performances from Stone and Parker who embark upon the pleasures and illusions of fame. We know where this is headed and their French kiss embrace wasn't needed. Dian Bachar as Squeak seems very funny but it is a cardboard role played as a dart board for insults. Yasmine Bleeth plays a sleazy female, which is about the height of her contribution. She is not interesting nor likable. Jenny McCarthy seems like fitting casting but even she cannot make her airhead character interesting. The film is surprisingly well made but not nearly as witty as its premise suggests. Satiric view of professional sports with colourful sets and a story that doesn't hit a home run but it crosses the finish line. Score: 6 / 10