TV REVIEW: THE CROSSOVER - Season 1

3.5/5

Poetry In Fast Break Motion.

8 Episodes. Starring: Jalyn Hall, Amir O'Neil, Trevor Bush, Deja Monique Cruz, Skyla I'Lece, Elijah Jacob, Sabrina Revelle & Derek Luke. Narrated By: Daveed Diggs. Created By: Kwame Alexander. On: Disney +. 

Answering the call like the one who crossed over to The Hall, Disney + are pushing the rock well like Van Exel (as a 'Crazy In Love' Jay said it best) when it comes to court content. Full-court imPRESSive. They could even match-up with the 'Hustle' of Netflix, 1 through 15, who have been streaming down the floor ever since ESPN led them in 'The Last Dance' of their 30 for 30 Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls documentary when the pandemic hit. Right now, Amazon Studios and Ben Affleck's Artists Equity production about the time Nike made a deal with the other MJ that could walk on 'Air' is hitting prime-time screens. And this is a time that if you want the best drama in a succession of series', all you have to do is tune into the NBA Playoffs. Hoops and Hollywood certainly are mixing in the paint right now, and Disney dribbles between all of that like 'Goofy's Double Dribble' with 'The Crossover'. 

SpringHill to Springfield, this basketball brotherhood can be put into the hardwood highlights Hall of Fame for its special set of skills. Taken from the talents of LeBron James and Maverick Carter's production company, this new legacy shopped to Mickey Mouse is based on creator Kwame Alexander's basketball book of the same name. 'The Crossover' just might be one of the best basketball programs Disney have developed outside their 'Glory Road'. And we're still taken with the hang time of John Stamos' 'Big Shot' girls basketball coach. This eight episode wonder deserves a second season too like real rookies avoiding the sophomore slump. Next to the 'Rise' of Giannis Antetokounmpo in a beautiful biopic and the surprisingly refreshing 'Chang Can Dunk' drama/comedy, 'The Crossover' ensures that Disney doesn't need to stay in their own lane. This IS their lane. 

Poetic and with justice served to the Black History it's built upon, this show won't stop dropping dimes and rhymes. Prose to the pros, taking you to school. Brilliant basketball scenes take the bench to fond family feeling and life lessons to be learnt from the play book drawn up episode titles. Produced and narrated with nuance by that voice of 'Snowpiercer' star Daveed Diggs, this train won't stop. Expect cameos on board too, but not a stop from the LeBron locomotive though. The purple and gold makes an appearance though. Authorized unlike the likeness of HBO's 'Winning Time'. The of these balling brothers is in the Showtime of the Los Angeles Lakers, but before we get to all that, this is a high-school musical. 

Making their moves and their words sing to the nosebleeds, Jalyn Hall and Amir O'Neil are the perfect one-two punch to hit your heart with warmth as they wow the opposition. There's more than defenders standing in their way though, as life takes them out of their comfort zone. 'All American' Hall was heartbreakingly good as Emmett in 'Till' (a story surely you know, but must still see) and O'Neil is about to make April his own as the next teenage phenomenon like Bronny James. They've got plenty of friends in their corner ready to hit it on their behalf. Like the funny and fond Trevor Bush. They'll need it too with the talents of Elijah Jacob standing in their way. 

Love and basketball may also be on the cards with Deja Monique Cruz and Skyla I'Lece. But it's the family matters of Sabrina Revelle and Derek Luke that really hit home. Especially when it comes to the health warning administered. After his 'Independent Spirit Award' winning big-screen opening in Denzel Washington's directorial debut 'Antwone Fisher', Luke has gone on to play Sean 'Puffy' Combs, AKA, Diddy ('Notorious') one of 'Captain America's' Howling Commandos and as part of the team on 'Glory Road'. His star power is enough to make 'The Crossover' a franchise, but it's the team behind him that will take this all the way to a whole new road of glory. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Big Shot', 'Rise', 'Chang Can Dunk'.