Rise (2022 Movie Full) | Watch Online Movies | REVIEW : Rise Review: Antetokounmpo Brothers Childhood Before Success in the NBA. A basketball biography that focuses more on family drama and immigrant struggles.
“Rise” is a biopic of the Antetokounmpo brothers, Giannis and Thanasis who are now athletes in the NBA. A typical inspirational drama film that airs on Disney+, this biopic is dominated by family drama scripts. Some of us may still be overshadowed by the excitement of the basketball sports drama, “Hustle” which was trending on Netflix.
If you have expectations of watching the sports film, “Rise” might seem boring. Because this film is indeed about the childhood of basketball athletes, but it is not a film about the world of basketball which is full of action and dynamic cinematography.
The story of the Antetokounmpo brothers further underscores their family's struggles as immigrants who want to get a better chance at life. Giannis' opportunity to land a position in the NBA draft was a huge stepping stone for their family.
The Antetokounmpo Family's Struggle as Immigrants from Nigeria in Greece
“Rise” opens with Charles and Veronica's journey as illegal immigrants, Giannis' parents and his younger siblings. They left Nigeria in the hope of a better life for their children in Greece. Giannis, Thanasis, and their younger siblings were born in Greece and grew up without a Greek residential permit for many years.
For almost half the duration of the film, we will be following Charles' struggle to get a residence permit as a legal immigrant. However, there are many complexities of local government that are very cornering their position.
The chronological plot emphasizes the journey of the Antetokounmpo family to increase their status in another country. Starting from trying to complete the documents, looking for a more decent job, to joining a basketball camp because it's free. Giannis and Thanasis also helped their parents in the hawker trade when they were little.
Ultimately, the message that “Rise” wants to convey more is the importance of opportunity and legal support for gifted immigrant youth. Because talent without opportunity is zero.
Lack of Dynamic Basketball Action and Character Development as a Basketball Player
Although the story of the Antetokounmpo family drama is very touching in “Rise”, this film lacks basketball elements. Giannis and Thanasis are treated as characters with instant talent. As if miraculously has a talent that is able to attract the attention of the NBA. For those who are familiar with the intense competition in the drafting of young athletes in the NBA, surely understand how difficult and small the chances of profiting young athletes are. Moreover, Giannis does not yet have high-flying hours as a prodigy .
Scriptwriters shouldn't just rely on the fact that Giannis and his brothers are now successful NBA athletes. Giannis' character development as a prodogy should also be included in the film. Don't just rely on his family background which is full of struggles because it's too cliché.
In the end, “Rise” has a strong message about the struggle of immigrant families to get a better life. How many NBA athletes are doors to opportunity and the well-being of struggling families like Antetokounmpo. With its more general segmentation as a drama film, “Rise” may not satisfy the expectations of basketball fans in particular.