Like Mike 2: Streetball
Jerome Jenkins Jr. (Jascha Washington,Big Momma's House) is a normal 12-year-old. That shouldn't be a problem, except he wants to be king of the neighborhood court, so he'll do whatever it takes to get bigger and better--wear ankle weights, hang upside down, etc. His parents are divorced and he lives with his mom, Lydia (Enuka Okuma,Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye), and cousin, Ray (Kel Mitchell,Kenan & Kel). Back in the day, dad J.J. (Michael Beach,Third Watch) was the local hoops legend, but he choked in a crucial game and failed to make pro. Now he's known as "The Choker." Jerome wants to make everyone forget by becoming the best. As in the first film, a cross betweenCinderellaand a Nike commercial, a pair of Michael Jordan's old kicks materializes just when he needs them most. An electrical storm brings them to life and Jerome becomes "like Mike" with the roundball. Like most direct-to-DVD sequels,Streetballis essentially a lower-budget remake. The good news is that Washington, taking over from rapper Bow Wow, is a likable lead and the new story is actually less preposterous than the original, in which the NBA signs a 14-year-old. Young b-ball fans are sure to be entertained by the tale of a regular kid who gets a taste of stardom, while the older set should seek outHoop DreamsorLove and Basketballfor a more mature look at the sport.--Kathleen C. Fennessy