More Than a Game

PG

Released Oct 2, 2009

1h 45m

Documentary

List

71%

Tomatometer

51 Reviews

86%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Filmmaker Kristopher Belman chronicles the early career of basketball superstar LeBron James. James and four other talented teammates were a powerhouse combination at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. The five star athletes burned up the courts throughout Ohio, but James' ever-increasing celebrity threatened to tear apart all the five had worked so hard to achieve.

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Critics Consensus

Though the film may not delve as deep as some would prefer, More Than a Game is an inspiring documentary featuring likable youngsters, a positive message, and some exciting in-game footage.

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Rick Groen

Globe and Mail

Really, it's just an extension of the LeBron James brand, released to coincide with a book on the same subject and designed to explore the star's humble roots even while further buffing his galactic glitter.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 30, 2009

Full Review

Linda Barnard

Toronto Star

It drags in places, becomes repetitive and could use a more rigid hand in editing, but it also has a kind of pleasing earnestness that would be lost in a more sophisticated effort.

Rated: 3/4

Oct 30, 2009

Full Review

Tom Long

Detroit News

Expertly orchestrated and unavoidably moving, More Than a Game is nevertheless your standard inspirational sports story about spunky kids who defy the odds to become champions.

Rated: B-

Oct 16, 2009

Full Review

Ian Buckwalter

DCist

While not a particularly great documentary, it succeeds hugely at what it sets out to do, aided by a dramatic storyline that would probably be dismissed as too fantastically implausible if it was in a fiction film.

Rated: 6/10

Jun 13, 2010

Full Review

Linda Cook

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

What a cool documentary. What a cool memoir.

Rated: 3.5/4

Dec 17, 2009

Full Review

Jim Slotek

Jam! Movies

The story itself would be largely untold if Belman hadn't wheedled his way into their trust, filming his own footage and being granted use of a wealth of home-movie material.

Rated: 3.5/5

Oct 30, 2009

Full Review

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isaac m

More Than A Game illustrates the rise of LeBron James, as well as LeBron's teammates. I love how this documentary touches how these kids Akron, Ohio became a powerful team. I love this documentary so much that student should see this during their P.E. classes. Overall, More Than A Game really scored points for accuracy.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

LeBron James is not one of my favorite players I don’t look up to him when I play basketball or watch basketball

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/11/18

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Audience Member

It was an OK film. Quality was there, but felt that it was just marketing for the Nike Lebron brand.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Audience Member

LeBron James is not a good role model he Braggs too much and he is khaki and dose not shake hands with the opposite team at times. He thinks he is the best in the world well I say he is not the best in the world. Now when he played in high school he may have been acting better than he is now I just hope he will not show off as much and be a good sport. And I don't like how they call him King James that's just what I think.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

Full Review

Audience Member

inspiring young ball players

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This is what a documentary should be like. Rough and raw. No high def theatrics. The footage is raw and the highlights of team were on point. There could have been more detail into how most of the Fab Five were also connected on the gridiron. Overall a great documentary

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

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Kristopher Belman

Director

LeBron James

Actor

Dru Joyce

Actor

Romeo Travis

Actor

Sian Cotton

Actor

Willie McGee

Actor

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Synopsis

Filmmaker Kristopher Belman chronicles the early career of basketball superstar LeBron James. James and four other talented teammates were a powerhouse combination at St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio. The five star athletes burned up the courts throughout Ohio, but James' ever-increasing celebrity threatened to tear apart all the five had worked so hard to achieve.

Director: Kristopher Belman
Producer: Kristopher Belman, Kevin Mann, Harvey Mason Jr., Matthew Perniciaro
Screenwriter: Kristopher Belman, Brad Hogan
Distributor: Lionsgate Films
Production Co: Harvey Mason Media
Rating: PG (Incidental Smoking|Brief Mild Language)
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 2, 2009, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 19, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $944.5K
Runtime: 1h 45m

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