NBA All-Star Kyrie Irving comes to the rescue in this amusing senior citizen comedy, a spin-off of viral Pepsi ads in which the Boston Celtics point guard plays a grumpy, geriatric character. The set-up introduces basketball fanatic Dax (Lil Rey Howery), who has always wanted the neighborhood team that he coaches to win the $100,000 cash prize in Harlem’s “Rucker Classic” tournament. But then his longtime rival (Nick Kroll) not only poaches his streetball squad but also his materialistic girlfriend (Tiffany Haddish). Having already spent his life savings on the registration fee, Dax convinces legendary Uncle Drew (Irving) and his septuagenarian buddies—Big Fella (Shaquille O’Neal), Preacher (Chris Webber), wheelchair-bound Boots (Nate Robinson), and legally-blind Lights (Reggie Miller)—to return to the court one last time. Not surprisingly, the seemingly decrepit but surprisingly agile geezers outplay the “rappity-hippity-hop” youngbloods. Produced by ESPN in partnership with Pepsi and Nike, this cliché-cluttered underdog story unevenly directed by Charles Stone III has its heart in the right place with messages about teamwork and taking risks to achieve your goals (as Uncle Drew says: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”). Retired WNBA star Lisa Leslie appears as Preacher’s irate wife. A strong optional purchase. (S. Granger)
Uncle Drew
Lionsgate, 103 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.99, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $39.99, Sept. 25 Volume 33, Issue 5
Uncle Drew
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