Directed by Jon Weinbach with executive production from Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, The Redeem Team tells the incredible comeback story of the US Olympic Men’s Basketball team.
After winning three-straight gold medals, USA Basketball suddenly found itself in unfamiliar territory. In the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, the team would lose to Puerto Rico, Lithuania, and Argentina. It was a miracle that they were able to win bronze.
After that debacle, Team USA went through a rebuild from top to bottom, exhausting all options and bringing in a fresh slate of talent. Legendary college basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski was tapped to lead the project and was credited by the players for his role in creating a more cohesive environment.
The film can be seen from two angles. The first, a redemption story for USA Basketball as they hit an all-time low but returned to greatness. The second, more ammunition for the greatest of all-time debate between Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan.
With extensive film from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), viewers are treated to a lesson in resilience, grit, and hard work with footage dating back to the 1980s. Clips of a young Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Carmelo Anthony, will dominate the documentary, alongside their in-house commentary and testimony.
Riddled with interviews from Dwight Howard, Coach K, Dwyane Wade, and more, The Redeem Team is a masterful documentary that encapsulates the true meaning of sportsmanship, national pride, and how far the USA Basketball program has come.
The feel-good documentary of the summer, The Redeem Team, gets a 9 out of 10. It’s clear from how well this was presented, that Maverick Carter, LeBron James & Co., put some serious effort into this. It was professionally done and will leave you feeling inspired. Outside of the steady flow of cussing, it should be suitable for family viewing (with teenage children).
The Redeem Team is now available on Netflix
-Jon Jones
Photos: Courtesy of Netflix