The Year of Yao (Hollywood Reporter) Updated: 2004-09-19 22:37 You don't have to be a hoops
fan to know that Yao Ming is a 7'5" basketball sensation from China. He's
already become a big star in North America, and carries the hopes and dreams of
the entire Chinese population, as the dominating center of the Houston
Rockets.
"The Year Of The Yao" tries to gives us a
look at the man behind the gentle giant during his first season as a pro, with
close access to him at home, on the road, in the locker room and trying out
North American delicacies like Taco Bell. What emerges is that Yao is a
fascinating individual with great humor and modesty, as well as the potential to
be one of the greats.
Unfortunately, that's all we
really find out about the guy. Sports fans might be satisfied with this kind of
standard superficial athlete profile, but the film is not likely to have much
range outside of the ESPN subscriber base. Given that the project was produced
with NBA Entertainment, it's no surprise. "The Year Of The Yao" is essentially a
fluff job, designed to build a myth around their new icon, while leaving more
sensitive issues like race, politics and money sitting on the bench.
In fact, filmmakers James Stern ("Michael Jordan To
The Max") and Adam del Deo leaves a lot of deeper territories unexplored and
untouched. Packaged with inspirational music and some over-the-top narration,
the doc includes snippet insights from people like Yahoo's Jerry Yang, Bill
Clinton, the Chinese Ambassador to and teammates all of whom gush about Yao's
importance to Asians, international sports and (gulp!) world peace. The film's
introduction about the mystery and history of China and its glorious sports
culture is also quite gagging.
But as far as real
insight, "The Year Of The Yao" presents little more than anecdotal scenes of Yao
acclimatizing to American culture and the demands of a American sports career,
one pampered with luxuries beyond his meager beginning in Shanghai. The only
real interesting character development is his relationship with Colin Pine,
Yao's young fulltime translator who is just as much of a rookie in terms of
adapting to the NBA. There's not much interaction with his parents, teammates or
opponents. The film is like having an all-access pass and not exploiting it for
even a backstage free soda.
The film is pretty much
a glossied diary following draft day 2003 through to the end of Yao's first
season. A typical sports narration carries most of the drama, while
insignificant drama is built up for exaggerated effect. A flippant comment by
loudmouth former player turned broadcaster Charles Barkley is played for all its
empty controversy. Games against Los Angeles Lakers are promoted as personal
showdowns between Shaq and Yao.
More interesting
might be some insight from Yao on the bling-bling culture of the league? What
does he think of the Western stereotypes about Chinese people? Has he read any
coverage of way his home government is presented in American news? And what
about the boatload of money he's now making? Forget it, "The Year of The Yao" is
instead more interested in being there when Yao tries his first Taco Bell
Grande. Take it for what it is, this is all about selling the NBA and marketing
Yao Ming.
THE YEAR OF THE YAO An
Endgame Entertainment/NBA Entertainment production Credits: Directors: James D. Stern, Adam del Deo Prodcuers:
Christopher Chen, Paul Hirschheimer, James D. Stern, Adam del Deo Editors: Jeff Werner, Michael Tolajian Creative
Director: Jun Diaz Music: James L. Venable No MPAA
rating Running --- 88 minutes
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