Every family in Oklahoma City might be going to see “Thunderstruck” this weekend. Given that star — and Oklahoma City Thunder player — Kevin Durant was born in Washington and raised in the area, it’s a good bet D.C. theaters might be busy, too.
But “Thunderstruck” isn’t just for fans of the NBA player. It’s a family-friendly movie with a warmhearted message for children that — surprisingly — isn’t too cheesy for their parents to enjoy as well.
“Thunderstruck” is full of on-the-court action. It begins with a high school game, and then goes into a student’s bedroom, where he’s closely studying KD’s greatest hits. “I can do that! I’m ready,” Brian (Taylor Gray) decides. But the 16-year-old isn’t just not ready — he’s so bad, he looks like he never will be. His only responsibility on his Oklahoma City high school team is fetching the other players’ water.
| On screen |
| ‘Thunderstruck’ |
| 2.5 out of 4 stars |
| Stars: Kevin Durant, Taylor Gray, James Belushi, Brandon T. Jackson |
| Director: John Whitesell |
| Rated: PG for mild language and rude humor |
| Running time: 93 minutes |
At a Thunder game with his father one night, Brian gets the chance to make a shot at halftime in front of the crowd, and a classmate gets his cellphone camera ready to record. It’s even funnier than expected: Brian hits the team’s mascot squarely in the head. But he’s happy enough to get the chance to shake hands with his hero. Durant might feel differently: His talent magically transfers to Brian when they touch.
Neither of them realizes it at first. Brian thinks his YouTube studies have finally paid off. KD thinks he’s simply in a slump. Brian’s coaches don’t question his newfound skills — they just keep him on the court. But just as the Thunder look like they won’t make the playoffs, Durant’s agent, Alan (Brandon T. Jackson), sees a television clip of an amazing new high school player and recognizes him. But will he convince Brian that the right thing to do is give up the girl — he’s the school’s star player now, after all — and give KD his talent back?
Durant, the hardworking player who hugs his mom after every game, is a great role model for young fans. Brian, played with a real sense of fun by Gray, is a rather good one, too. His dad takes him to that Thunder game to cheer him up, and apologizes for the nosebleed seats, but Brian responds, “Dad, these are perfect!” Even though he’s the school’s best player, he still passes to his teammates — until success starts getting the better of him.
But the movie’s underlying message is a little confusing. Someone asks Durant what the secret to his game is. “No secret. It’s just hard work,” he responds. That seems less likely after Brian “takes” his talent. But Durant — who seems a little awkward at first but soon looks natural playing himself — takes it in stride, vowing to start all over again as a ballplayer. Brian can hardly believe it. That attitude is the best lesson he learns from his idol.
