I saw this back then and then saw it today after the heartbreaking passing of Kobe. He was a true hero of
The game. A short that definitely deserved the Oscar.
24 Reviews
End of the Tunnel
Cineanalyst27 January 2020
Kobe Bryant's Oscar-winning animated short, "Dear Basketball," takes on added resonance with the basketball star's death today. The words of Bryant's poem, going from his childhood dreams to his retirement from the NBA, going through an arena tunnel towards the lights, of having given all that he can give, of letting go and saying goodbye, now, has a doubled meaning. It's an emotional wallop for his fans, as well as friends and family of all nine killed in the helicopter crash. Even from a more distant perspective, of one who occasionally enjoys the game and, consequently, witnessed Bryant's career, it's a touching poem and picture. None other than John Williams providing the score assists effectively in this regard, as does the animation recalling Bryant's childhood memories and focusing on him in highlights from his professional game on the court. Animating the beads of sweat is especially impressive.
Of course, one of the most remarked upon aspects when Bryant won the Oscar, when the MeToo movement was center stage on the heels of the reports regarding Harvey Weinstein, were the past allegation of rape made against Bryant and his subsequent arrest, the dropping of charges and the settlement. I never closely followed that case and don't care to discuss its details, nor its legal, moral and political ramifications, but I do think the media coverage of it and reactions from fans then, echoed again today by scale in the remembrances of his life and mourning of his death, points to how thoroughly athletes have become heroic, even legendary, figures in the eyes of many--especially children, as described by Bryant himself when he was a child dreaming of himself becoming like the heroes pictured on the posters of his wall and the videos of the games they played. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson as the role models of his upbringing, Bryant himself as one for another generation. I don't mention this in a pejorative sense, either; arguably, it's a hopeful and healthy alternative to past valorizing of war. That kid in the room dreaming of becoming an athlete adored by others, pretending scoring buzzer-beating shots to win the big game, idolizing the new champions of their age and wanting to become that of the next generation. That kid could be anyone and is a great many children today across the world. "Dear Basketball" captures this, and it's a poignant elegy.
Of course, one of the most remarked upon aspects when Bryant won the Oscar, when the MeToo movement was center stage on the heels of the reports regarding Harvey Weinstein, were the past allegation of rape made against Bryant and his subsequent arrest, the dropping of charges and the settlement. I never closely followed that case and don't care to discuss its details, nor its legal, moral and political ramifications, but I do think the media coverage of it and reactions from fans then, echoed again today by scale in the remembrances of his life and mourning of his death, points to how thoroughly athletes have become heroic, even legendary, figures in the eyes of many--especially children, as described by Bryant himself when he was a child dreaming of himself becoming like the heroes pictured on the posters of his wall and the videos of the games they played. Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson as the role models of his upbringing, Bryant himself as one for another generation. I don't mention this in a pejorative sense, either; arguably, it's a hopeful and healthy alternative to past valorizing of war. That kid in the room dreaming of becoming an athlete adored by others, pretending scoring buzzer-beating shots to win the big game, idolizing the new champions of their age and wanting to become that of the next generation. That kid could be anyone and is a great many children today across the world. "Dear Basketball" captures this, and it's a poignant elegy.
Inspired me, even though I don't care at all for it's subject matter.
Hellmant1 March 2018
'DEAR BASKETBALL': Four Stars (Out of Five)
A 6-minute animated short film in which NBA legend Kobe Bryant describes his love for basketball, over his entire 20-year career (dating back to his childhood), through an interview on the eve of his retirement. The short is a depiction of his poem 'Dear Basketball', and it's accompanied with music by legendary film composer John Williams. It was directed by Glen Keane and written by Bryant. I'm not a fan of basketball (or any sport for that matter), and I definitely don't look up to Kobe Bryant. The short is well made though; the animation is beautiful, and the music is of course really powerful and moving. It inspired me, even though I don't care at all for it's subject matter. That's the sign of a good film in my opinion.
A 6-minute animated short film in which NBA legend Kobe Bryant describes his love for basketball, over his entire 20-year career (dating back to his childhood), through an interview on the eve of his retirement. The short is a depiction of his poem 'Dear Basketball', and it's accompanied with music by legendary film composer John Williams. It was directed by Glen Keane and written by Bryant. I'm not a fan of basketball (or any sport for that matter), and I definitely don't look up to Kobe Bryant. The short is well made though; the animation is beautiful, and the music is of course really powerful and moving. It inspired me, even though I don't care at all for it's subject matter. That's the sign of a good film in my opinion.
about yourself
Kirpianuscus10 February 2018
It is to easy to define it as touching. but it is more. not admirable illustration of a poem, not the eulogy to a great sportsman, not exactly a fluid story in which the force of drawings are high emotional. but it is a film about each viewer. about love, passion, dreams,, hard work and force to change yourself as change of world. that fact defines it. in moving - brilliant manner. as a splendid trip across personal memories. it is not a film about basketball.maybe, not about the public of basketball show. but about meanings of life. not as pieces of succes. but as root of precious legacy. so, for me, a pure gem. extraordinary for loving simplicity. and for clear message.
Fine individual tribute
Horst_In_Translation12 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
"Dear Basketball" is a 6-minute animated short film from 2017 that unites successful Disney animator Glen Keane with defining score composer John Williams and a poem written by basketball legend Kobe Bryant on the occasion of the end of his career. The outcome is this award-winning short that is also a contender at the Oscars this year, actually even in the leading position right now. And while I think this was a competently crafted work here, I still don't really think it is a particularly good watch for non-basketball fans and I would be surprised if it really takes home the Academy Award soon. If it does, it is owed to the three big names I mentioned earlier and I am pretty curious what Shaq is thinking with his movie career about Kobe's success here. Still it is not by any means a weak film, let alone a failure, but in terms of contents and execution I would say that the nomination is already (more than) enough. I have seen 4 of the five nominees so far I think and I'd put it in third spot from these alone. Pixar may be my personal favorite next to Revolting Rhymes. Back to this one here: One reason why I am not too big on it is because aside from the sports component, the nostalgia factor with animated young Kobe is not as effective, touching and memorable as it attempts to be, at least not to me. A cautious thumbs-up for this one. Worth checking out, but not a must-see for anybody other than lifetime Lakers fans.
Totally heartbreaking
AgustinCesaratti27 January 2020
A universal motivational story
joesiegel27 January 2020
Obviously you will feel identified with this, whether you are a basketball fan or not, whether you are a Kobe Bryant fan or not, it is simply a conventional short film that plays the right keys to create melancholy feelings in us, superficially speaking of inspiration, perseverance and our constant struggle to fulfill our dreams, but there really is nothing new here, we already know that old story, obviously you will love it if you are a fan of Bryant and this short will probably make you cry, but if we see more objectively It is out of level Oscar's I didn't let Kobe Bryant's sudden death just a couple of hours ago eclipse my vision of this, I saw it objectively and found nothing exceptional, if not a story of universal motivation, a message that can be expressed by any profession, a filmmaker I could do something like this and call it "Dear Cinema" is a love story for the profession, any profession.
Emotional and well made, and that's coming from a non-fan of the sport.
TOMNEL16 June 2017
Basketball superstar Kobe Bryant announced his 2015 retirement from the sport through a poem entitled "Dear Basketball". It's a sweet little poem, basically saying that the sport will always be in his heart. It's easy to imagine a short being made based on this, but harder to imagine being a legitimately emotionally affecting one.
This animated short jumps back and forth between a young and adult Kobe following his professional sport dreams, from shooting tube socks to his injuries on the court. The animation, by Disney Legend Glen Keane is done in a fluid, but delightfully sketchy style. The lovely musical score that really amps up the emotion is by the surprising, and always wonderful John Williams. Kobe serves as the narrator, reading his poem throughout. Obviously he wrote it, and it has the most meaning to him, so who else would read it. His voice is full of humility and humanity.
This is a beautifully animated, wonderfully scored short. Even for those not interested in the sport, you may find yourself invested in Kobe's emotion. This is about as good as it can get for a 6-minute long retirement announcement!
My rating: **** out of ****. 6 mins.
This animated short jumps back and forth between a young and adult Kobe following his professional sport dreams, from shooting tube socks to his injuries on the court. The animation, by Disney Legend Glen Keane is done in a fluid, but delightfully sketchy style. The lovely musical score that really amps up the emotion is by the surprising, and always wonderful John Williams. Kobe serves as the narrator, reading his poem throughout. Obviously he wrote it, and it has the most meaning to him, so who else would read it. His voice is full of humility and humanity.
This is a beautifully animated, wonderfully scored short. Even for those not interested in the sport, you may find yourself invested in Kobe's emotion. This is about as good as it can get for a 6-minute long retirement announcement!
My rating: **** out of ****. 6 mins.
Oscar for this?
AnonymousbutDilpreet00225 August 2020
There is not anything new and great about this short. Yes, it's well made, but how many other such well-made shorts are there. People are behaving as if it's been never tried before. In some cases (like for katedra), an Oscar nomination is justified purely because they look beautiful. However, this short was not that good.
No, never count the time you had the same dream. Just reach It.
robert_angier-902-96512327 January 2020
Kobe Bryant's words describes in personal flashbacks : The gratitude, the love for game, the proud to represent the same shared spirit of success around the years, with his fans and country. The life, our life without witnesses is a kind of dream. A one that have to become real until the clock stops. Who knows? The time to love, to go, to rest, to grow up or just to thank.
Then the humbles traces of Glenn Keane come over Kobe's words. Few colours but always brighted by the warm voice of a grateful Kobe. Some seconds flow like a game clock and Keane play back to back, to Kobe's words. Sometimes the complex drawings appears when the last Kobe's moments appears playing on the Court or he had growed. Others are just like a little boy sketches and strokes, just living the emotion of respresent the idea that we'd enjoyed in our childhood: Play, have fun and smile.
Finally, John Williams conducts the heart of two men in the play court. Reads any creative and emotional moment, the movements between Bryant and Keane looking for success until the farewell. Williams is the coach, seeks the moments to take timeouts, no matter what come next, is Kobe's time. The chords touches the heart such a Mother listens to her kids, waiting for the time Kobe's call the game as the same way he love his family and parents. Maybe in this day, seems to be words to thank every one who had witness his life. Finally Williams, repeat in a triunfal and powerful chord, the crowd, success until the farewell.
Is an amazing short film, powerful and lovely. A perfect way to honor a great player and show us the way of built our dreams since childhood.
In Memoriam of Kobe Bryant's sport words, the Academy Award 2018 Winner - Dear Basketball...
"There is power in understanding the Journey of Others to help create your Own".
Then the humbles traces of Glenn Keane come over Kobe's words. Few colours but always brighted by the warm voice of a grateful Kobe. Some seconds flow like a game clock and Keane play back to back, to Kobe's words. Sometimes the complex drawings appears when the last Kobe's moments appears playing on the Court or he had growed. Others are just like a little boy sketches and strokes, just living the emotion of respresent the idea that we'd enjoyed in our childhood: Play, have fun and smile.
Finally, John Williams conducts the heart of two men in the play court. Reads any creative and emotional moment, the movements between Bryant and Keane looking for success until the farewell. Williams is the coach, seeks the moments to take timeouts, no matter what come next, is Kobe's time. The chords touches the heart such a Mother listens to her kids, waiting for the time Kobe's call the game as the same way he love his family and parents. Maybe in this day, seems to be words to thank every one who had witness his life. Finally Williams, repeat in a triunfal and powerful chord, the crowd, success until the farewell.
Is an amazing short film, powerful and lovely. A perfect way to honor a great player and show us the way of built our dreams since childhood.
In Memoriam of Kobe Bryant's sport words, the Academy Award 2018 Winner - Dear Basketball...
"There is power in understanding the Journey of Others to help create your Own".
I don't like basketball but
akier-2759527 January 2020
OK, this is gonna be awkward
lee_eisenberg9 January 2019
Glen Keane's "Dear Basketball" is Kobe Bryant's ode to passion. It's based on a letter that Bryant wrote detailing his retirement from the game and looking at how he first got into the game. Without a doubt, Kobe Bryant knew where his passion and talent were.
Now for the unpleasant part. In 2003, sexual harassment charges against Bryant arose. The 90th Academy Awards were supposed to address sexual harassment in the wake of the Me Too movement...and Kobe Bryant STILL won an Oscar! (for the record, Glenn Close still doesn't have one). Criminy!
On its own, the short is worth seeing, understanding that the man behind it is a creep.
Now for the unpleasant part. In 2003, sexual harassment charges against Bryant arose. The 90th Academy Awards were supposed to address sexual harassment in the wake of the Me Too movement...and Kobe Bryant STILL won an Oscar! (for the record, Glenn Close still doesn't have one). Criminy!
On its own, the short is worth seeing, understanding that the man behind it is a creep.
Kobe Bryant
0U24 February 2020
I grew up as a Laker fan since the early 2000s after their 3-peat championship rings, 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002. I've always admired the Mamba for his greatness on and off the court. It's a shocking demise as we all are saddened by the loss of Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna. He created a legacy which is, will and forever celebrated around the globe.
Recommended to Basketball Fans
The_Film_Auditor17 July 2018
Being a Kobe Bryant fan when I was in high school, I enjoyed watching this animated short. I thought the film, which is based off a poem written by Kobe, was inspiring and reminiscent of his successful career. The hand drawn animation style was well done; it added an imaginative look to the short. I would recommend this film to any fans of Kobe or basketball in general.
We miss you Kobe #8 #24
TarekJousef12 February 2020
Fantastic work!
ibragimovalihan12 July 2020
I cried!
Kobe_bryant_reviews8 November 2018
Mamba mediocrity
materna-892206 February 2022
Q: how did this win an Academy award?
A: well, Kobe is a brand name and many, many Academy members are Laker fans or closely related to Laker fans.
Kobe proves himself a lukewarm wordsmith.
There is nothing new and original here.
It's Just some pap that would never have been filmed had some average Joe penned it.
Mamba out!
A: well, Kobe is a brand name and many, many Academy members are Laker fans or closely related to Laker fans.
Kobe proves himself a lukewarm wordsmith.
There is nothing new and original here.
It's Just some pap that would never have been filmed had some average Joe penned it.
Mamba out!
Probably best for basketball fans, though I did admire the quality of the production.
planktonrules12 February 2018
Even though I really DON'T care anything about basketball, I'm giving the Oscar-nominated animated short a relatively high score because it was well made.
The film is all about Kobe Bryant and his aspirations as a child to be a professional ball player. It follows him through his pro career and then to his retirement caused by the wear and tear on his body....something every professional athlete must contend with eventually.
Interestingly, the film was written by Bryant, produced by him and features his narration. So, if you are a big fan of Kobe...then this film is for you.
The film is all about Kobe Bryant and his aspirations as a child to be a professional ball player. It follows him through his pro career and then to his retirement caused by the wear and tear on his body....something every professional athlete must contend with eventually.
Interestingly, the film was written by Bryant, produced by him and features his narration. So, if you are a big fan of Kobe...then this film is for you.
Love Letter
boblipton13 February 2018
It's a love letter written, narrated and produced by Kobe Bryant to the sport he has graced for some years now. He has gotten Glen Keane to direct it, which means to animate it, and Mr. Keane has chosen to animate it as a pencil test. It's a brilliant idea.
For those unfamiliar with the term, a pencil test is usually an intermediate stage in hand-drawn animation: before the inkers and colorists and backgrounders get their hands on the cartoon, the animator (that is to say, the senior animator assigned to direct a portion of a movie) draws several of the shots within a sequence and arranges them as a flip book to test out the motion; should that work, it goes to his assistants to do the interior sequences, to smooth out the details, to ink them in, and so forth. Keane and his assistant have left this at the flip book stage, rendering it an impressionist work, a contemplation of motion and grace, and it works wonderfully. Then they got John Williams to do the score. It's a love letter and what is there not to love?
For those unfamiliar with the term, a pencil test is usually an intermediate stage in hand-drawn animation: before the inkers and colorists and backgrounders get their hands on the cartoon, the animator (that is to say, the senior animator assigned to direct a portion of a movie) draws several of the shots within a sequence and arranges them as a flip book to test out the motion; should that work, it goes to his assistants to do the interior sequences, to smooth out the details, to ink them in, and so forth. Keane and his assistant have left this at the flip book stage, rendering it an impressionist work, a contemplation of motion and grace, and it works wonderfully. Then they got John Williams to do the score. It's a love letter and what is there not to love?
An Amazing and Inspiring Short
skylarstierwalt16 March 2018
A great narrative that takes you through the mind of dedicated basketball player, Kobe Bryant. This short is a letter from Bryant to the sport that has been his life since he was a kid. If you are a sports fan or have ever played sports, you know the hard work and time that you put into that skill. The stop motion drawings, the transitions, and the voice of Kobe Bryant himself, help you get emotionally involved in the story. This film deserves all the praise that it deserves and and should serve as an inspiration to anyone trying to pursue their dreams.
Great video
BlueSkies7651 May 2020
Dear Basketball is a great short basketball video where Kobe expresses his love for basketball. The animations and the commentary create a feeling of bliss from playing basketball. It's short but sweet and makes me reminisce about the greatness of the game of basketball that I was obsessed with as a kid, especially dreaming about being as good as Kobe at the game. If you're a Kobe fan it's another great memory of him and definitely worth the watch.
An inspiring story
momjessicaandjordan26 January 2022
Also an emotional story as well especially that Kobe is no longer here with us. Been a huge basketball fan my whole life and it's safe to safe that this is one of fewest short sport stories that got me a little emotional not gonna lie. Can't believe it's been 2 years since Kobe left us. Kobe will forever will leave an impact not just to the sport of basketball but to the world.
Well deserved for an Oscar award.
Well deserved for an Oscar award.
Finally watching this short on TV on ESPN during the Kobe memorial made me cry
justin-fencsak24 February 2020
Years after Kobe retired, he created a short based on his poem, "Dear Basketball", and won an Oscar for his effort. It would be the last time that Kobe would've gotten an award during his life as tragedy struck a day after he congratulated Lebron for passing him on the all time list as Kobe was on his way to an event when the helicopter carrying him and his daughter Gianna crashed in the foggy mountains of Calabasas, California, killing Kobe, the pilot, GIannas and 6 others. The short was originally commisioned for release on the short lived go90 platform from Verizon and was soon posted to Youtube soon after the service was discontinued. It would be soon shown on ESPN during the waning moments of Kobe's memorial service (also shown on NBA TV and other sports channels and the local LA cbs stations) and it's very emotional, including the music by still alive John Wililams, who didn't win an Oscar this year for his music for the last Star Wars movie. The animation is fluid and lifelike and the pacing is well done. It's a short that people of all ages should watch.
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