White Men Can't Jump (2023) User Reviews

Tedious basketball scenes and witless dialogue

[Dunkaccino · 4/10 · 19 May 2023]

Here is a charmless remake that has the same ideas and characters as the original, but none of the energy. Director Calmatic's idea of a sports film is to put a rap soundtrack on and show us poorly shot and edited basketball scenes that are tedious to follow and care.

There are lots of rambling in this movie. This is not neccessarily a complaint. There are lots and lots of trashtalk in the original White Men Can't Jump too, except those are brought with wit and delivered by actors that know how to act intimidating and over-confident. The actors here are as flat as a cardboard. Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrellson are way out of Sinqua Walls and Jack Harlow's league.

So the story involves Harlow and Walls teaming up to play basketball. That's about it for the movie's depth in storytelling. The screenplay here has barely any emotional engagement. In the climax of the movie, in what was supposedly the high point of the movie, I felt nothing. Any other viewer will not feel anything. Not even our characters look like they felt anything. It's all a lazy string of basketball montages and dialogue so monotonous and uninteresting that it plays like a conversation you are stuck in and want to get out of.

This is a movie that thinks it has really cool vibe but is just a slog. Calmatic's previous film is House Party, another remake of a (somewhat) classic. Maybe it is time for him to work with material that are at least original. Maybe remakes like this shouldn't exist for the best.

If you haven't watched the original, then don't before watching this.

[weirdg · 4/10 · 20 May 2023]

The original was more raw and a decent representation of the times.

The new version is also good representation of the times, but feels less raw and has Hollywood polish all over it. It's hilarious that this qualifies as an rated R movie when it seems more like a PG or G rated movie.

There were some laughs and the story was okay, but don't expect too many similarities or a connection to the original. The only thing that was similar was that there was a black and white guy that randomly team up to enter a 2 on 2 basketball tournament. Everything else was pretty different.

I wish Disney/Fox would stop remaking classics to make a quick buck off of fans. It's disappointing because they're ruining the memories people have of the original versions.

If you have nothing better to watch then it's a decent time filler, but don't dedicate your time to watching it.

I don't think it's a 1/10 rating, but it's certainly not above a 6/10 rating. I'd put it around a 3 or 4 out of 10 rating. The characters were likeable, so I went with 4.

Meh..

[fingazmc · 5/10 · 19 May 2023]

If you've seen the original, seriously, don't waste your time. It doesn't come close!

The best thing about this was Andrew Schulz and a few of the jokes scattered throughout the film.

To be honest this misses the mark and is just an average film, I know they had to change it up compared to the original, modernise it etcetera and they did that well, although in an annoying way, in my opinion, but I'm old enough to remember the original lol...

Which is a classic and still stands up today, there was no reason for a remake. This is just an average streaming film about basketball.

I'm trying to be vague here to avoid spoilers, but it feels like there's none of the ICONIC moments from the original, a lot of content and story missed out. It doesn't even feel like it's about the 2 of them, one is an extra in the others story and now the title doesn't even make sense...

Some okay acting performances and some of the soundtrack was alright I have to admit, but other than that nothing stands out.

The original is streaming for free as well, personally I feel like I've wasted an hour and a half odd, when I could have just watched the original, but I had to find out for myself since I'm a huge Schulz fan and he's mentioned it on Flagrant.

5/10 bang average streaming film, the funny moments saved it from being lower than that!

why?

[frank-340-831830 · 3/10 · 19 May 2023]

You could watch this.. or you could go and find someone giving away the original on DVD - its sure to be out there - worst case on VHS!.

Why bother remaking a movie and not making it better? Why bother remaking a movie when the original is still understandable and relevant.

Its bad enough remaking current foreign language films because Americans cant read subtitles - but there is no logic to remaking this and so poorly. Sure - remake Gone with the Wind or The African Queen if you think you can tell the story in today's world - but making this was a waste of time and effort - and you will be wasting yours if you watch it.

Surprised by the hate.

[sjwaterfield · 7/10 · 22 May 2023]

Is this the greatest movie ever made? No.

Is it the greatest remake ever? Also no.

Was it a fun watch? Absolutely!

If you can just understand that this borrows the premise and setting from the original and understand that this is its own movie you will enjoy it so much more. Quit trying to compare it against the original. It really has some great dialogue and witty humor. The basketball scenes are fun and the drama seems believable.

Jack Harlow did a great job and was a believable hustler. Sinqua Walls really killed it and gave some serious heart.

Just go into this expecting to have fun and be entertained and you won't be disappointed.

Makes you want to either give up movies or basketball forever

[cblissett-97206 · 2/10 · 19 May 2023]

Where to begin? If this movie was "stand alone" it would be maybe a 3.5 star worthy made for tv movie. It could do little to be any more different from the classic Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson film. The two similarities are that, basketball is a theme, and one white character and one black character. Aside from that, they are not similar. It seems like the studio was so excited to license the title that they forgot to hire someone to write a script. They could have ripped the old script verbatim and it probably would have been better. Andrew Schulz' character may be the only watchable performance. That is not to say that all the acting was bad, but the plot and development would have made it impossible for a main character to stand out. Lance Reddick would be ashamed to have it dedicated to him. What a barely watchable pile of Hollywood money grab excrement.

Why is this rated so low?

[arod_85 · 7/10 · 30 May 2023]

I mean is it going to win awards? No. It's not going to go down as an iconic movie like the original. It isn't exactly memorable. However, it is far better than the ratings would suggest. It is at least a 6 to 7 rating. It surpassed most streaming movies I've watched in the last year. The two leads have a good chemistry. Jack Harlow had some good one liners. It was a decent movie to pass the time. I actually have never seen the original. I know Woody and Wesley are far bigger celebrities, so maybe the comparison is what is hurting the ratings? I'm unsure but I know this doesn't deserve a 4 on IMBD.

Ugh

[KOOLAIDBRO · 1/10 · 19 May 2023]

I don't know why anyone thought this was a good idea because the original White Men Can't Jump is great with two characters played by two actors that are almost impossible to replicate. The chemistry between Walls and Harlow is cheesy at best. Wesley Snipes who apparently is not a good basketball player and they ran most of his basketball scenes in show motion especially that spin move that would never work against anyone still looks better than anything they were doing in this with people that are not bad ball players from what I've been told. Then there is Woody. Woody and Snipes were perfect and terrible together, but in a believable way. You could see them being life long best friends even after all the awful things they did to each other afterwards. I fell like I just reviewed the original against the new one and that's the very reason why this isn't going to be popular at all. It will be compared to the original because the original is a time capsule of sorts and beloved by most everyone. If you haven't seen the original watch it. Skip this. If you have hulu give this one a go I guess, but do not spend money on it.

Not as good as the original but entertaining nonetheless

[cnotebrown · 7/10 · 16 June 2023]

Not sure why people hating on this film. It was entertaining. Nothing revolutionary, but some good laughs with a couple plot points to keep you interested. The self-referential humor was also a good look; not taking their remake status to seriously letting the audience know how the first film influenced the game. Just as the first film was a good representation of the era, this film represents the side hustle culture of this era. It could have definitely used a little support from some better actors, save for Lance Reddick. His performance was great; I just wished they utilized his talent more in this film.

One of the WORST remakes ever!

[wlevyiii · 2/10 · 21 May 2023]

I will say up front I didn't see the entire movie. I watched for 40 minutes and I had to turn it off! TOTALLY depressing movie. No fun, no excitement, just two lousy, bum dudes talking a lot of crap.

The first WMCJ was fun, had great realistic basketball action, romantic and sad all at the same time. It was a great movie from the opening scene until the end. This here, don't waste your time! Neither dude looks or moves like a baller. ESPECIALLY the black dude! He was so mis-cast in this movie. All he does is snarl, frown and be depressed. And he is the FURTHEST thing from a baller you could find. He's really not that good of an actor. I've seen him in other stuff and same role. Always a jerk. Nothing likeable about him at all. Together they have no chemistry and they definitely aren't funny like Woody & Wesley. The movie just went nowhere and I found zero joy in the 40 min I watched.

I'm sure most people will give it a watch based on the original but you'll see...

SKIP!

Ignore the hate

[mlk18 · 8/10 · 28 May 2023]

I almost didn't watch this movie because of the IMDB reviews, but I ended up watching it anyway. I am glad I did because it turned out to be a pretty good movie. Comparable to the original? No. Was it supposed to be? No. But was it a fun and entertaining movie? Yes, it was. The bad reviews I read came off as a mixture of remake purists who demanded a shot for shot clone and others who were upset that the movie wasn't woke enough. Instead the movie was reasonable balanced, well written, fairly acted, and had some seriously funny moments. It's okay for a movie to just be good entertainment without it being a life changing cinematic experience.

This is a 5.5, watchable but do not compare to the original

[eric-32508 · 6/10 · 20 May 2023]

Look, the original White Men Can't Jump this is not. It is entertaining. I would give it a 5.5 if you do not try and hold it to Harrelson and Snipes classic. I think they screwed up giving it the same name personally. It is an entertaining movie without comparing to the original. It has some cheesy moments as did the original and the writing is not as good but it is again entertaining. Jack Harlow is surprisingly good as an actor actually. Good storyline, despite the writing with a good ending. Not sure why the rating is so low, the only thing I can think of is that it shares the same name as the original which I am sure hurt them.

Figuratively a shadow of the original

[kcl187 · 3/10 · 20 May 2023]

Obviously, I only watched this because I'm a huge fan of the original. It was odd because this version copies the basic structure of the original, even going to each iconic basketball court, like the fenced in court and the Watts court. There is zero tension though. Everything is just rushed though and none of the pick up games had any of the fun of the original. We don't really know why Jack Harlow's character is meant to be the underdog in the pickup games or why/how this is a hustle. I didn't like the director's choice to constantly use slow motion during the games either. It really detracted from excitement of the games/moves. Jack Harlow has a few nice moments, like when he's posing next to his car while Ed Sheeran plays. That was a funny scene, but for the most part, his acting is distractingly bad. We don't get any real moments with him, and there is a lack of commitment to either the trash talking or the zen. There's just a lot thrown into the back story of his and Sinqua Walls' characters with no pay off. Harlow's character seems to have a drug problem but is not addressed in the end. Walls' has a tragic moment, and a couple of minutes later is all smiles and jokey in (what's supposed to be) a comedic with Blake Griffin. Also not addressed. Ultimately, everything is unearned: Harlow and Walls' friendship, falling out, and redemption. The entire movie just goes through the motions. It was nice seeing Laura Harrier though.

We don't need another remake

[rachael0169 · 1/10 · 21 May 2023]

Can you stop remaking something that already exists?!?! If you don't have enough creativity to come up with something of your own then you're in the wrong business. This is just sad and pathetic. This is nothing new and is one of the hundreds of movies/shows that already exists and some fan thinking they can do it better but fail miserably. Please stop doing this, it's just a waste of your time and everyone else who has become a victim of knowing this colossal waste of space exists. This review would have been a lot shorter if there wasn't a requirement of how many characters are needed but I think I've gotten my point across.

It's good. Ignore these people needing it to be the original

[thecurbeams · 6/10 · 27 May 2023]

It was entertaining. It was funny. It was different enough from the original to make you forget the title, which I appreciated. Concept is similar. Both have financial troubles, one black, one white, the both hustle basketball together. That's where the similarities end. It's it's own entertaining comedy. Maybe they though using the title would get it more attention. If you can NOT be like the people that rated it poorly and ignore the title, it will be great and worth your time. Jack Harlow does a fantastic job. I had no idea that he could act also he's a pretty talented guy. Just watch the movie already. Enjoy!

Disappointing Remake of "White Men Can't Jump"

[jpgroux · 1/10 · 19 May 2023]

As a fan of the original "White Men Can't Jump," I was genuinely excited when I heard about the remake. However, after finally watching it, I have to say that it was one of the worst remakes I have ever seen. It pains me to write this review because I had high hopes, but the film fell flat in so many ways.

First and foremost, the chemistry between the lead actors was sorely lacking. One of the things that made the original so memorable was the dynamic between Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipes. Their banter, wit, and on-screen camaraderie were simply unmatched. In the remake, the new cast failed to capture that same magic. The interactions felt forced and lacked the natural chemistry that made the original so enjoyable.

Moreover, the writing and storytelling in the remake were incredibly weak. The original film had a perfect balance of humor, drama, and social commentary. It tackled themes of race, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams in a way that was both thought-provoking and entertaining. However, the remake seemed to miss the mark entirely.

Furthermore, the basketball scenes, which were a highlight of the original, were poorly executed in the remake. The energy, excitement, and skill that were showcased in the original's basketball sequences were sorely lacking. The action felt sluggish and unimpressive, failing to capture the dynamic and fast-paced nature of the sport.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning that the remake lacked the charm and authenticity of the original. The gritty atmosphere, the vibrant street culture, and the raw energy that were hallmarks of the original were missing in this version. It felt like a watered-down, sanitized version that tried to appeal to a broader audience but lost the essence of what made the original so special.

Do not compaire it with the original one from 1992

[ixnfixn · 7/10 · 20 June 2023]

First of all I want to say that I love the original 1992 movie and have seen it more than 100 times. This movie has the same title and roughly the same plot, but it's a completely different movie. The old film is more of a drama and this one is more of a entertainment film. I found the acting very good. You just can't compare an actor like Woody Harelson and Wesley Snipes with the current ones. But it has become entertaining and not as dramatic as the old one. In some places it seems more like a parody than a remake, but it did the job of entertaining me and putting a smile on my face on some scenes.

My conclusion, if you want a movie that entertains you, then is worth to watch.

Waste of electricity

[sanjiphoto · 2/10 · 21 May 2023]

This one should have been left on cutting room floor or in digital trash. U can't help but compare some of it to the original with Wesley and Tyra and Woody and Rosie. These actors should leave this off their profile or resume

They would have been better off in bringing back the original cast as hustlers trying to put a game together or coaches.

Corny dialogue and should have been some humorous lines but couldn't tell when that took place except when dude came back to the court with a flame thrower The soundtrack is ok - Wonder how the premiere was received or did the viewers leave very early before the movie was over or fall asleep At least the actors were paid - u can't win them all.

Give it a chance.

[photolodico · 7/10 · 20 May 2023]

I was sad to see the super low score this got, but decided to watch anyway, and genuinely enjoyed it. I get a lot of the feedback, but also, like, we need to give young artists time to find their footing and whatever comes next for Calmatic, I for sure want to see it.

I didn't realize I was middle aged until I had to look up Jack Harlow and Post Malone because I was confused about why there where "suddenly" (ie since 2009 when popular culture started fading into the background) two different seemingly Hasidic rappers doing SNL music spots. Turns out, I really enjoyed them both. And even though I'm a 40 year old Mom, I relate to Jack Harlow's passion and hustle, and have been awkwardly rooting for his success. Thankfully, I'm comfortable being awkward.

Jack Harlow is certainly not the best actor on the screen here, but what he lacks in experience actually fits the roll well and he lets his costars shine. He did a solid job and I hope he tries this again despite all the negative feedback. He clearly had chemistry with all his costars and knows how to be a solid support and team player. I bet it was a really fun set to work on.

Sinqua Walls performance felt like it was bleeding through the screen. I need to see everything he's done now. I think, if nothing else, watch this movie for the gorgeous cinematography and his performance. His chemistry with Teyana Taylor was fantastic. It was so good to see a solid couple work through their issues and stick together. That was probably my favorite part.

Myles Bullock and Vince Staples running commentary was a delight and I enjoyed their arch with Jack Harlow's character. Lance Reddick was as amazing here as in everything else he's ever done. RIP

So no, it's not as good as the original. But it's something else and that something is worth watching. Especially if you are a fan of watching people strive for goals through sports. It reminded me a bit of Hoosiers, which is weird, but the vibe felt similar somehow. I will totally be recommending this to my other middle age mom friends.

White Man Can't Act. Stop remaking classics!

[lbz_1979 · 2/10 · 20 May 2023]

About 15 years ago they were going to remake Back to School with Usher and call it Black to School but thankfully the head of the studio yanked it. Too bad they didn't do the same with this one.

The basketball scenes were mediocre at best and there was zero humor. The two leads had no chemistry and the female leads were awful. At least Rosie Perez had charisma. It's an absolute shame that Lance Reddick went out on this turd. He was a terrific actor and deserves better than this.

I just don't understand how the writers are on strike. Putting out stale, unimaginative junk like this and you want more money?

Enjoyed it!!!! Added to my favorites list!!!!

[msvicki1224 · 8/10 · 24 May 2023]

I'm soooooooo glad that I watched this movie for myself before reading any reviews because I really enjoyed it!!! Everyone has their own opinion therefore I don't expect for everyone to like this movie and I don't care about the opinions of those who don't like it anyway. I actually didn't think that I was going to like it but I'm glad that I took the time to watch it because it was good. I had never seen nor heard of Jack Harlow before but he and Sinqua Walls had great chemistry in this movie in my opinion despite what others may think. R. I. P. To Lance Reddick who was also a good actor in this movie along with Teyanna Taylor. Watch the movie and judge for yourself!!! I strongly believe that you will NOT be disappointed!!!

A feel good movie that's less complex than the original but equally enjoyable.

[kessubs · 7/10 · 20 May 2023]

Even though this movie doesn't touch the original, it was enjoyable to watch. The nostalgia alone carries it pretty far, but I really enjoyed the chemistry of the cast and felt that Harlow was a great fit. I mean, let's be honest- no one is going to stack up to Harrelson or snipes in the original roles. So as long as you temper your expectations and realize this is a remake and it's a feel good movie about basketball. Less plot, more of a story about basketball and friendship.

The soundtrack is fantastic, the cinematography is equally as enjoyable... it drags here and there but it's worth a watch if you loved the original or basketball.

Maybe hire actors!?

[jacksvoice · 1/10 · 20 May 2023]

Why would you give a major role to someone with no acting experience? I like a couple of Jack's songs, but that doesn't mean I'm about to hire him for a major movie that so many people that do know what they are doing, are working hard on... this is a very moronic move, and it keeps happening lol. It's pathetic. The trailer looked bad enough but I tried to watch it anyway and give it a chance. Terrible idea. I mean I know he's got connections but wow. And the fact he had to hire not only an acting coach but a personal basketball trainer? That straight makes me laugh. Terrible in every sense of the word terrible.

Taking the street out of Streetball

[simic-54309 · 5/10 · 21 May 2023]

First of all, selling this as a remake of a sensational film is a bad move. If you're not at least almost as good, you've already lost. But yeah, you probably get more views that way.

On its own, the film is OK. It's about basketball, after all, and it has one or two good scenes, such as Lance Reddick in the hospital. A 5 seems to be a fair rating to me.

In general, though, it's a good look at what's been lost in recent years. Microwave food instead of a home-cooked meal. Off-the-shelf goods instead of natural chemistry. Probably the zeitgeist of the decade. Maybe even Wesley and Woody wouldn't be able to make a film like the original WMCJ in 2023.

Expected the worst

[rclayton-06971 · 7/10 · 21 May 2023]

I'll be honest I watched this movie so I could laugh at how terrible it was going to be and it really wasn't good but it wasn't as bad as I expected I loved the first movie so there's no way this movie was ever going to live up to that but I thought the guys had pretty good chemistry in the movie and I thought Jack Harlow did a pretty good job playing his character the problem with this movie is you what was going to happen right from the beginning they were going to screw up and then screw up some more and then screw up some more....... I was hoping for a surprise ending but I didn't get it.....