| Parents
Television Council Reviews |
|
PTC reviews
aim to provide you with advanced information about an entertainment
offering so that you can be the final arbiter of what you and your
family see.
|
|
Get new reviews sent to your inbox!
|
|
|
|
|
 The Year of Yao
By Kimberly Sielen
Starring: Yao Ming, Colin Pine
Directed by: James D. Stern and Adam del Deo
Genre: Family/Basketball Documentary
MPAA Rating: PG for mild language
In a world where professional basketball players are as likely to be in the news
for their bad behavior off the court as for their performance on the court, one
shining star stands apart. This is Yao Ming, the first Chinese athlete to play
for the NBA. His story is captured in the new documentary, The Year of Yao.
The Year of Yao follows Yao Ming's first season playing for the NBA. Chosen by
the Houston Rockets as the first pick in the 2002-2003 draft, no one knew what
to expect from this unknown 22-year-old from across the globe. Would he be able
to live up to the expectations and prove himself against the American players?
How would he adjust to his new life and colleagues? For most, this honor would
go straight to their head. Instead, Yao maintains his sense of self with grace
and honor, unusual for someone his age.
At 7'6" and 325 pounds, Yao was hard to miss when he arrived at the Houston
airport in October of 2002. It was there he was greeted by his parents and
introduced to Colin Pine, his new interpreter, and more importantly,
soon-to-be-friend. Yao had arrived after the Rocket's pre-season orientation,
and therefore had much to learn in a short period of time. It takes time for him
to overcome the language and professional boundaries. During his years with the
Shanghai Sharks, he played the Chinese version of basketball, where, though the
rules are the same, the game itself is much calmer. The aggression and violence
seen on the American courts is unheard of where he is from, but he soon learns
to adapt to a new culture, a new game, and a new way of life.
Yao is a quick study, and ends up averaging 13.5 points per game during his
first year in the NBA. Also during his first year he was picked as the starting
center for the Western Conference in the NBA All-Star Games, an honor rarely
bestowed upon rookies.
While quickly becoming one of the NBA's most beloved stars, the movie follows Yao's experiences not only on the court, but off as well. At a Thanksgiving
dinner, Colin explains each food and attempts to describe what the holiday
symbolizes, which Yao likens to a Chinese harvest dinner. Colin also accompanied
Yao to commercial shoots (the famous Visa "Yao/Yo" and Apple iMac ads) and Best
Buy -- an overwhelming experience. It quickly becomes apparent that Yao is happier
at home in Houston with his parents than living the high-life of a basketball
star.
Though The Year of Yao is family friendly, it does contain a few mild
profanities. The word "a--" is used six times, mostly by ESPN broadcasters as a
part of a bet regarding Yao's performance as a rookie. Other mild expletives
(like "sucked"; and "hell") are used, but they are very scarce, and never used by Yao. This is a movie that basketball lovers and non-sports fans alike can enjoy,
for it truly shows the importance of understanding, growth, and above all,
honor.
Family Movie Reviews
The Parents Television Council -
www.parentstv.org
Have you seen this movie?
Comment on this review, Click here!
|
