Above the Rim

This article is about the film. For the soundtrack to the film, see Above the Rim (soundtrack). For the song by Bell Biv DeVoe, see Above the Rim (song).

Above the Rim
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Jeff Pollack
Produced by	James D. Brubaker Benny Medina Jeff Pollack
Screenplay by	Barry Michael Cooper Jeff Pollack
Story by	Jeff Pollack Benny Medina
Starring	Duane Martin Leon Robinson Tupac Shakur Bernie Mac Tonya Pinkins David Bailey Marlon Wayans
Distributed by	New Line Cinema
Release dates	March 23, 1994 (1994-03-23)
Running time	96 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$6.5 million
Box office	$16,192,320

Above the Rim is a 1994 American sports film co-written, storied and directed by Jeff Pollack in his directorial debut. The screenplay was written by Barry Michael Cooper, from a story by Benny Medina.

The film stars Duane Martin, Tupac Shakur, Leon Robinson and Marlon Wayans. The film tells the story of a promising New York City high school basketball star and his relationships with two people; one a drug dealer and the other a basketball star now employed as a security guard at his former high school. The movie was shot in Harlem with various scenes in the movie filmed at the Manhattan Center for Science and Mathematics in East Harlem. Some of the basketball scenes were filmed at Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn, NY.

Plot

Kyle Watson (Duane Martin) is a talented basketball player who is about to graduate from high school. While he waits to find out if he will receive a scholarship to Georgetown University he finds himself in a difficult dilemma over a playground basketball tournament. He must decide whether to play for and follow his widely beloved basketball coach or Birdie (Tupac Shakur), a local thug in the neighborhood. Thomas "Shep" Shepard (Leon Robinson) a former standout player himself, now works as a high school security guard. Kyle feels resentment towards the security guard, because Kyle's own mother is falling in love with Shep.

Coincidentally, Kyle's coach also wants Shep to coach his team when he feels it is time for him to retire. It is later revealed to Kyle that Shep is Birdie's older brother. Kyle makes a decision to run with Birdie's team until he decided to come back to his old team, because of Birdie's wrongful actions against a local Flip and Kyle's friend Bugaloo (Marlon Wayans). In the tournament, both Kyle's and Birdie's teams march to the finals, with Kyle's team playing solid team basketball, while Birdie's team plays a very thuggish style. Before the finals, Birdie threatens Kyle, demanding Kyle to throw away the game so that Birdie's team would win. Kyle is brutalized throughout the game, with Birdie's team having a solid lead, and is injured. Shep, unable to watch anymore, steps in the game in Kyle's place - despite being aggressively attacked throughout, Shep helps the team come back, and in the final seconds, passes the ball to Kyle, who hits the game winner. After the loss, Birdie orders Motaw (Wood Harris), his star player and gang member, to kill Kyle. Shep protects Kyle and is shot, while Motaw is shot dead by security. Birdie is later killed by Bugaloo as revenge for previous humiliations. In the end, Kyle is revealed to have gotten the scholarship to Georgetown University - during a televised game, Kyle hits the game winner, while a recovered Shep watches with a smile.

Cast

• Duane Martin as Kyle
• Leon Robinson as Shep
• Tupac Shakur as Birdie
• Marlon Wayans as Bugaloo
• Bernie Mac as Flip Johnson
• David Bailey as Rollins
• Tonya Pinkins as Mailika
• Wood Harris as Motaw
• Shawn Michael Howard as Bobby
• Henry Simmons as Starnes
• Matthew Guletz as Nutso
• Michael Rispoli as Richie
• Byron Minns as Monrow
• Bill Raftery as Himself
• James Williams as Speedy
• John Thompson as Himself

Soundtrack

Year	Album	Peak chart positions		Certifications
		U.S.	U.S. R&B
1994	Above The Rim Released: March 22, 1994 Label: Death Row Records, Interscope	2	1	US: Platinum

Production

The movie was filmed in 1993. Allen Payne was the original choice to portray Kyle Watson, but was rejected by Pollack in favor of Duane Martin.

Reception

Box office

The film was released on March 23, 1994, grossing $3,738,800 on opening weekend. At the end of its theatrical run, it had grossed a total of $16,192,320.

Awards

1995 MTV Movie Awards

• Best Movie Song: "Regulate" by Warren G. (nominated)

Critical

It holds a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on 19 reviews. Peter Travers stated "It's Shakur who steals the show. The rapper's offscreen legal problems are well known, but there's no denying his power as an actor." Variety said "A fine cast and the movie's general energy can't overcome that mix of cliches and technical flaws, which should conspire to prevent any high flying at the box office."

See also

• Above the Rim (Original Soundtrack)

External links

• Above the Rim at IMDb