This sports bio documentary is given a few fresh angles, including culture clash issues, and the friendship that develops between Yao and his interpreter.
This sports bio documentary is given a few fresh angles, including culture clash issues, and the friendship that develops between Yao and his interpreter.
While the traditional American stereotype of people from China portrays them as short, studious, and not especially athletic, Yao Ming turned that image on his head -- standing seven foot six, Yao became the most talked about player in professional basketball when he signed to play with the Houston Rockets in 2002, the first Chinese émigré to play in the NBA. Yao was largely unknown when he first suited up with the Rockets, and many were skeptical about his abilities, especially when he
displayed an unsure command of the American style of basketball in his early games. But Yao soldiered on, and by the end of the season he was proving his detractors wrong, among them player-turned-sportscaster Charles Barkley, who once on air promised to kiss the rear end of one of his fellow television commentators if Yao ever scored 19 points in a game -- and had to make good on the pledge when Yao managed the feat. The Year of the Yao is a documentary (produced in part by the NBA) which looks at Yao Ming's first season with the Rockets, how he adapted to American basketball, his relationship with his family and teammates, and what his success means to fans in the United States and China. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
James D. Stern and Adam Del Deo's taut, engrossing 2004 documentary on Chinese basketball player Yao Ming's first year in the NBA offers insight into the game and its stars.
As bright and shiny as you would imagine something co-produced by NBA Entertainment to be, The Year of the Yao provides little insight beyond hanging out with its super-sized star.
A surprisingly layered portrait of a rookie with the hopes of a nation -- a big nation -- riding on his shoulders, and the frustrations and small victories that entails.
I am not a NBA or Bassketball watcher or fan. Once in a while I may watch the March Madness series. Basketball players have become spoiled with the large sums of money they make. But I am always interested to see how those from the outside the USA react to our ways of life. I found this film to be very interesting,
and wish I had the chance to meet Yao and his family. If I find this movie in a used bin or pawn shop I will pick it up. Its not like the other Disney Sports films this is more of a Bio.
December 5, 2007
Bruce Bruce
Super Reviewer
Fantastic Doc. on a great subject. Seeing Yao Ming's first season in the NBA and in America is fascinating. The cultural shifts that plagued him in the beginning eventually gave way as he become a Worldwide phenom and "unofficial" Ambassador between the West and China. The most interesting part of the doc. is the
relationship between Yao's young/rookie interpretor, Colin Pine, and himself. Setting up 2 young rookie's together was either a stroke of genius or a divine accident, either way it is the heart of the film. OF COURSE, it doesn't at all hurt that I live in Houston. I think this film works so well that it would even be of interest to Non NBA fans as well. Very Nice. YAO!
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