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.
The Year of the Yao (2005)
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Reviews Counted:32
Fresh:21
Rotten:11
Average Rating:6.2/10
Consensus: This sports bio documentary is given a few fresh angles, including culture clash issues, and the friendship that develops between Yao and his interpreter.
Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some mild language.
Runtime: 88 mins
Genre: Education/General Interest
Theatrical Release:2005
Synopsis: This documentary tells a unique story of Eastern and Western cultures merging within the world of professional basketball. Yao Ming, the seven-feet-six-inches-tall athlete who is a star in his... This documentary tells a unique story of Eastern and Western cultures merging within the world of professional basketball. Yao Ming, the seven-feet-six-inches-tall athlete who is a star in his native China, was the first pick of the Houston Rockets for the 2002-2003 NBA draft. Feeling pressure from his Chinese audience to succeed in the US, while simultaneously facing the scrutiny of the American basketball establishment, Yao meets significant challenges during his first year in the NBA. Narrated by Yao's 28-year-old interpreter, Colin Pine, the film shows how Yao and Colin navigate the turbulent ups and downs of American-style celebrity. Meanwhile, Colin also struggles with the complexity of translating NBA terminology into Mandarin Chinese. Despite frustrating setbacks and missteps, both Yao and Colin handle their new environments with aplomb and humor. Learning as they go, both become highly competent at what they do, finding ways to help each other. As a result, THE YEAR OF THE YAO is not only about basketball, it is also about the strong friendship that develops between these two strangers from totally different corners of the world. [More]
Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming
Starring: Shaquille O'Neal, Yao Ming
Director: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo
Director: James D. Stern, Adam Del Deo
Studio: Fine Line Features
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Release:
Mar 14, 2006
Reviews for The Year of the Yao
By playing up the hoopla and glitz, the filmmakers have created a vacuum at its center.
The film is happily as fast paced as the sport of basketball itself: there are no bearded, stuttering academics discussing any aspect of the story.
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.
There appears to be much more to Yao than is captured here. That's where the movie drops the ball.
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.
The movie's focus on Yao is limited by his lack of narrative abilities.
Sure, it's fun to watch big-screen close-ups of Yao battling with O'Neal, though it feels like another ESPN special.
From language barriers to international political barriers, Yao promises something most documentaries miss entirely -- insight and hope.
...while their subject is amiably charismatic, the filmmakers fail to fully get beneath his skin. Still...it's a sports documentary that can be enjoyed by anyone...
The excitement on the court and the banter and good-natured ribbing in the locker room is handled by the book by the behind the camera crew.
Latest News for The Year of the Yao
September 19, 2006:
Yao Ming Turns Down "Rush Hour 3"
Brett Ratner can cross out yet another celebrity from his dream cast for "Rush Hour 3." In an interview with a sports writer from a Chinese newspaper, it's revealed... More...
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