Roll Bounce

Synopsis: In the 1970s, X (Bow Wow) and his friends witness their local rollerskating rink close down, and are forced to venture to the more affluent 'north side' of town - specifically, the Sweetwater Roller Rink. They decide to compete in the Sweetwater Skate-off against the local champions - the Sweetwater Rollers, and in the process learn about their lives, their families and themselves.

Yes, Roll Bounce is as predictable and formulaic as its syhopsis sounds. This is, of course, to be expected in a family movie, as is the highly sanitised world of the 'south side' - there are no drugs, violence, racism or poverty here. Indeed, both the protagonists and the Sweetwater Rollers have been carefully selected with a variety of racial groups to avoid even the suggestion of 'black versus white'. This is not 8 Mile, and it certainly isn't Boyz n the Hood. Instead, think The Mighty Ducks and Bend it Like Beckham.

With expectations out of the way, director Lee (Undercover Brother and The Best Man) has produced a likeable and entertaining film. Young rapper Bow Wow (real name Shad Gregory Moss) is both naturally charming and a pretty good actor (in only his second lead role, after Like Mike), standing head and shoulders above the rest of the young cast. Chi McBride, as X's father grieving over the death of his wife, is also excellent. Indeed, the predictable 'serious moment', in which father and son finally accept the death of X's mother, is more moving than perhaps Lee deserved, and this is owed entirely to the performance of his two leads.

The comedy is pretty childish, and occasionally downright painful, but Bow Wow manages to avoid most of it and hold the movie together. The skating sequences are impressive, while not being overly spectacular. The formula for success in Roll Bounce is very simple - have likeable leads and the rest will be forgiven.

If you are looking to entertain your young teens for a couple of hours, or you've had a tough day at work and need to be gently uplifted, you could do worse than Roll Bounce.

 

 

Want more about this film?

    

Want something different?