Hollywood Reviews and Movie Trivia

"Crossover", written and directed by Preston A. Whitmore II, has its message aimed right at the pre-college age group and scores a B...

A key factor for a movie reviewer is to try one's best to view a movie through the eyes of the target audience. "Crossover", with its cache of cliché messages (and there's plenty!), is clearly not aimed at adults! I'm reminded of a scene when one of the two friends realizes that the relationship he's in, is not what it seems, or, he hopes it is. I saw it coming. The young audience at the screening didn't, as evidenced by the groans of surprise. But I'm getting ahead of myself. With its music video style editing and pacing, suffice it to say that if a movie seems simplistic or heavy message handed to the adult viewers, it could be right on target for the intended audience. Such is the case with "Crossover"...

Two long time friends, Noah Cruise (Wesley Jonathan), a naturally talented basketball player is determined to become a doctor by using his basketball scholarship to UCLA as a pre-med student. Cruise, as he's called by his friends, is also being pressured by Vaughn (Wayne Brady from the Dave Chappelle Show), a former sports agent who wants him to go the pro route into the NBA with the lure of money and fame. Cruise's best friend is Tech (Anthony Makie). Tech is also a very good basketball player with less ambitious future plans. Also, Tech took the fall for his friend Cruise on an assault charge some time ago which resulted in his missing his senior year of high school. Tech wants to pass the GED test, beat his egotistical arch rival, Jewelz (Philip Champion), in the underground basketball games, which, are highly profitable. Through it all, they remain true loyal friends. Both friends play on the "Enemy of the State" underground basketball team that challenges Jewelz team, at the games that Vaughn sponsors with payments of $2000.00 each to the winners, and $1000.00 each to the losers.

Cruise and Tech meet two best friends Vanessa (Eva Pigford) and Eboni (Alecia Fears). There seams to be instant chemistry between Cruise and Vanessa, and Tech pairs with Eboni. Cruise has a scholarship tour set for UCLA and invites Tech and their new lady friends to go with them. The 'bright lights and neon nights' of LA provides quite a setting for the couples and they fall in love. When the couples return from LA, things start to unravel as Vaughn leans on Cruise to let him represent him with the enticement of money and success to give Vanessa what she deserves in life. And Tech, wanting, in fact needing, to beat his arch rival Jewelz's underground basketball team, makes for a tough time between the two friends because if Cruise plays the underground game, he'll be in violation of the scholarship rules.

"Crossover" has the MTV style look and pacing. Yes, the music is for the "now" generation. And yes, it is full of heavy-handed messages on relationships, aiming for one's goals, stay in school because an education always wins out above sports, and so on. We as adults have heard all before. The kids probably have too. Seeing it played out in a story that they can relate to, situations they have or are dealing with now, and, the possible outcome of their actions, just might be what's needed. A movie with their music, characters, and a story they can relate to. A movie just for them...

Grade: B