Michael Jordan, Above and Beyond (1996 Video) User Reviews

Jordan's return and path to 4th championship; cut short

[DoobieKeebler · 8/10 · 9 August 2003]

"Michael Jordan Above and Beyond" provides a much-needed look at Michael Jordan's fantastic return from retirement in 1995. The first 20 minutes or so recap his retirement, attempt at minor league baseball, and his dealing with his father's murder. It picks up when it starts looking at the huge frenzy that was his return to the NBA in the Spring of 1995. It covers his mediocre first game back against the Pacers, his Friday night Chicago return against the Magic, and his subsequent return to form with a game-winning shot against Atlanta, and a career night dropping 55 on the Knicks. It then covers the Bulls' disappointing defeat in the playoffs at the hands of the Magic, the first (and last) time the Jordan-led Bulls would finish the season without a trophy since 1990.

The documentary then covers the summer of '95, which Michael spent making "Space Jam" and getting into the best shape of his life, playing basketball in a gym specially designed for him on the Burbank set. What would ensue is perhaps the greatest season in the history of all sports, the Bulls' dominant 72-10 run through the entire league. Unfortunately, this documentary stops shortly after the All-Star Game, so the momentous 70th win, subsequent MVP trophy, and Championship run concluding with a Finals victory over the Seattle Supersonics are all not covered. A shame, as it could have been twice as long, covered all that, remained interesting, and been 4 times as good. Instead, this documentary fails to document the Bulls' magnificent season.

It does provide insight into Jordan's desire to win, and special attention is (deservedly) given to the February 2, 1996 matchup between Michael's Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers with a newly-returned Magic Johnson. It wasn't a particularly close finish, but it was a fantastic night to watch basketball, and the game remains the highest-rated cable sports event in history. Narrated by "E.R." star Eriq LaSalle, "Michael Jordan Above and Beyond" is good, but cut way too short. 8/10

Jordan Dominates Documentaries

[view_and_review · 8/10 · 3 July 2021]

With the numerous documentaries about the incomparable Michael Jordan you sort of know what the documentary is going to cover based upon the year it was released. This one being released 1996 it could only be about one of two things: Jordan's retirement or Jordan's comeback. Well, this documentary covered both things with commentary from Jordan accompanied by an outdated and lousy soundtrack. The music wasn't even suitable for a generic job training video it was so bad.

Divorcing the documentary from the music, it was excellent. It focused more on his decision to retire and his sensational comeback, but it does fall short of chronicling the Bulls' full record setting '95-'96 season. It's as if they made the documentary a little too early. Like they were so giddy to have Michael back and dominating they couldn't wait for the completion of the season to make this documentary. No worries, I know many more documentaries were released after '96 and there will probably be a bunch more even after this year of 2021.

The usual heartless corporate presentation that is saved by the charisma and energy of Jordan on and off court

[bob the moo · 16 March 2008]

Following his third consecutive championship Michael Jordan was at the top of his game but could see no challenge ahead of him that he could use to give himself the hunger to go on. The murder of his father in a roadside robbery saw Jordan deciding to retire at age thirty and spend the season playing baseball instead. However on 19 March 1995, Jordan returned to the Bulls to play again at the Pacers, followed by a game winner against Atlanta and of course dropping 55 in New York. This documentary follows his return from retirement and the road to his next championship title.

After watching Air Time, I thought that the NBA people had managed to shake off the corporate marketing feel that had so hurt the earlier Jordan films (such as the weak Playground). However from the very start here we get a heavy polished voice-over from La Salle that immediately sounds like the whole thing is going to be overly earnest and heavy – not qualities that one would associate with the man himself. And so it is, as a terribly overbearing La Salle lumbers through the preamble to Jordan's retirement and the two seasons he was back before winning the title again. The approach lacks energy and feels polished, and as cheering as a slab of marble. God knows why they made it this way but fortunately, as he does on court, Jordan himself lifts it to be better than it deserves to be.

He does this by repeating the chatting style he had in Air Time and, again while he is not totally open and honest, he does come across as natural. This is his second gift after his basketball, the way he would always try and fit in with those around him, whether it was professionally or in his charity work. God know why they felt they needed La Salle as Jordan does lift it. It goes without saying that there are constant game clips and these are rarely less than impressive. Unfortunately the film appears to have been made midway through the championship winning season and looking back you cannot help feel that the DVD has broken because it seems illogical to not carry on to the natural conclusion of the season. Not sure why they did this considering the film itself seems sure that "Jordan is back", so why not wait for the outcome of that? So anyway, as a film it is mixed. The delivery and narration makes it feel like a passionless and cold corporate promotion video (which in a way it is) but the passion, charisma and energy of Jordan himself happily balances this out and makes the film better than it deserves to be.