The Scene staff
I like to compare sports movies, particularly the ones about basketball, to snacks or beverages. Movies such as “Slam Dunk” or “Like Mike” offer a nostalgic taste that leaves the flavor stuck in your memory.
Others, such as “Boogie” or “Uncle Drew,” have an acquired taste. Not many people consider them favorites, but the movies have a steady fanbase.
One film that little to nobody gravitates to, despite the large amount of branding, advertising and stock available, is “Chang Can Dunk.”
It’s a zero-to-hero story about an Asian American high-schooler named Chang, a basketball fanatic who’s determined to prove to his class and his rival that he can perform a perfect slam dunk.
While training vigorously, Chang comes across a street-ball legend named Deandre, who helps him improve faster. He also has an emotional moment with his mother, who talks to him about confidence and commitment.
After a series of highs and lows, Chang musters the courage and develops the skill to nail the perfect slam dunk. Success!
Produced by Disney and directed by Jingyi Shao, “Chang Can Dunk” was released on March 10, 2023, direct to streaming on Disney+.
The movie begins with a bootleg, Phil Jackson, explaining the fundamentals of a slam dunk. Then it transitions to a compilation of NBA Hall of Famers like Wilt Chamberlain, Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan demonstrating their signature slam dunks.
The plot begins in earnest as Chang (Bloom Li) is getting ready for the first day of school. After a minute of unnecessary hyping, his mother, Chen (Mardy Ma), tells him to “Hurry up!”
Once at school, they have a brief conversation about working and making commitment to life choices.
Chang goes to his first class in the gym, where the coach assigns a basketball drill. There’s a bit of tension in the air because he’s up against his rival, Matt (Chase Liefeld).
When it’s Chang’s turn, he goes crazy by shooting three-pointers and layups before Matt blocks his shot and hits him with a windmill dunk.
The loss prompts Chang to vent to his best friend, Bo (Ben Wang), during marching-band practice. The teacher calls him over and asks him to help his crush, Kristy (Zoe Renee), carry her band gear.
But Matt quickly swoops into flirt, inviting Kristy to come over to his house for a pool party. Change ends up getting a pity invite, leading to more losses. He gets separated from Kristy and locked in the basement by Matt’s friends before falling into the pool and getting dunked.
The repeated humiliations motivate Chang to prove Matt wrong. The next day he storms into the gym and challenges Matt to a dunking contest. If Change wins, he gets Matt’s prized Kobe jersey and the opportunity to shave his head.
After Matt accepts the challenge, we’re treated to a Disney-level montage with Chang and Bo doing absurd and bizarre drills.
Chang plans to seek out a basketball coach until he discovers a part-time basketball YouTuber, Deandre (Dexter Dardan), who agrees to help in exchange for Chang and Bo upgrading his YouTube channel.
When I first watched the trailers for “Chang Can Dunk,” I was very impressed with the presentation because it gave off that nostalgic vibe.
But I was a disappointed with the final product. Seeing Chang go from zero to hero to poser then back to hero felt lackluster.
The movie made the main character seem arrogant, despite the fact that he worked hard in the beginning, trying to push his limits to impress his peers and himself.
Watching Chang boast one second and switch to victim-blaming the next also downgraded the character. On the other hand, I liked the Kobe tribes, animated transitions and diverse case.
Overall, it wasn’t too bad of a movie, but compared other basketball movies and shows, it didn’t rank high, either. For me “Chang Can Dunk” was not worth the hour and 49 minutes.