I am a big Kobe Bryant fan… and the news of his death has hit me hard.
As a #lakers fan and a fan of @kobebryant. This hurts so damn much…I’m a grown up man and I can’t stop crying right now. Damn…. RIP Black Mamba. #legend #GOAT
— Dennis A. Amith (@kndy) January 26, 2020
RIP Kobe Bryant and RIP Gianna Bryant. My heart goes out to his family and the Laker nation and all who respected the legend
In 2009, I had a chance to write an article on “KOBE DOIN’ WORK” DVD…
For basketball fans who love Kobe Bryant and for those who want to know the technical aspect of professional basketball during a game, “Kobe Doin’ Work: MVP Limited Edition” gives the viewer an unlimited access to the game where you see and hear everything around Kobe Bryant before the game, during the game and after the game. Definitely a wonderful, uncensored look at basketball through of one of the most talented basketball players of all time. Definitely recommended!
Image courtesy of All Rights Reserved.
During the 2007-2008 season, the Los Angeles Lakers found its groove as the team had the best record in the West, Kobe Bryant who started out the season with media questioning if he will continue to be a Laker answered all questions on the court as he had a magnificent year and many people feeling the young basketball star deserves to be the MVP.
Unfortunately for Lakers fans, that same season, the team came up short in the championship series against the Boston Celtics but rebounded the following year winning the championship in 2008-2009 and many praised the leadership of Bryant.
But director Spike Lee wanted to create a film and give fans a chance to see the real Kobe Bryant before, during and after a game. So, Kobe Bryant, Coach Phil Jackson and the Los Angeles Lakers organization let Spike Lee have Bryant mic’d, 30 cameras all over the stadium all focusing on Kobe Bryant and capturing not only the athlete in play but also giving people the chance to hear all the trash talking, the play calling, what goes on in the bench, what goes on during half time and just unlimited access to Kobe Bryant as the Los Angeles Lakers took on the San Antonio Spurs for a pivotal game that would give the Lakers home court advantage.
You literally start off when Kobe arrives to the Staples Center and watch him how he prepares and watch him lead and encourage the team through four quarters. Although the full game is not shown, you do get over an hour of basketball footage and hear how things are on the court uncensored.
While watching the film, you can hear audio commentary by Kobe Bryant as he explains certain scenes from the game and also his conversations with director Spike Lee.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
“Kobe Doin’ Work: MVP Limited Edition” is presented in widescreen (1:78:1) – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions. Picture quality is very good as Spike Lee made sure the game was captured from various angles. High above, right on the court, on the big screens, you name it… Lee covered all angles and gives an intimate portrait of the MVP.
Audio is in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound. For the most part, the film is front and center channel driven. You hear everything on court. The audience, the players, the music, the squeaking of the sneakers on the court, the bouncing of the basket ball, the trash talking, the play calling….you hear it all throughout the film’s soundtrack.
Kobe Bryant’s commentary doesn’t get in the way of the dialogue on film. For the most part, commentary is understandable.
For the most part, editing is well done and not dizzying at all. Spike Lee and cinematographer Mattew Libatique did a wonderful job covering the game but most importantly capturing video and audio of and around Kobe Bryant.
Subtitles are in English SDH, Spanish and French.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“Kobe Doin’ Work: MVP Limited Edition” comes with a special Upper Deck Kobe Bryant trading card and the following special features:
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- Introduction to the Film by Spike Lee: (:49) An introduction by Spike Lee talking about what they did on that night.
- Spike Lee on Kobe’s Commentary: (3:18) Spike Lee talking about the challenges of getting Kobe Bryant to provide the audio commentary but also how Kobe came to New York after his stellar 61 points against the New York Knicks and how the New York hometown crowd yelled MVP.
- Deleted Scenes – The Unseen Fourth Quarter – (9:21) The fourth quarter that was not featured in the film. No audio commentary by Kobe Bryant but this featurette showcases Kobe Bryant and his teammates during the game against the San Antonio Spurs captured by Lee’s 30 cameras.
- Deleted Scenes – Press Conference – (2:53) A short press conference with Kobe and the media after the game.
- Photo Montage – (4:30) Photography of Kobe Bryant during the game. Awesome photography montage played along with Bruce Hornsby’s piano playing.
- Music Video – “Levitate” by Bruce Hornsby – (4:19) featuring Bruce Hornsby’s music video which shows video footage and photography of Kobe Bryant.
- E:60 – Behind the Scenes – (2:15) Interview with Spike Lee about Kobe Bryant and the production meeting with the crew. Interview with the crew members working on the film.
- Game Only Experience – (1:25:24) The film version with no commentary track.
- Broadcast Audio Version – (1:25:24) This is the censored version of “Kobe Doin’ Work” which was broadcast on television.
“Kobe Doin’ Work: MVP Limited Edition” was definitely because you actually get to hear a lot of the play calling, the trash talking and what takes place on the bench, at half time and more. This is probably the most unlimited access I have seen in a sports related film and really gives you an idea of what goes through Kobe Bryant’s head.
On the court, he’s observing and directing his team, on the bench…he’s really looking for holes in the opponent’s defense. And even in half time, he’s really into discussing what he sees and how the team can overcome in the second half.
But for the most part, Kobe Bryant is a class act during the commentary. He’s complimentary to his teammates and his opponent, he’s a competitor but also seen as a father and husband. You really get to see a side of Kobe Bryant that you just never see on television.
Usually, these type of coverage is censored for television but for this DVD, you get the full uncensored version, the broadcast censored version and also a no commentary version. And I think that Kobe Bryant said it best of what he thinks about this film and that is, during a post-game interview, he tries to explain the team dynamics.
But through this film, you get to learn how the technical part is done on court. You hear Kobe directing the teammates, knowing when to get in the head of his opponent, switching plays in order to get his teammates into the groove.
So, basketball players can definitely look at this DVD as really instructional. Coaches can definitely showcase this DVD to their players and have them learn from it. And for the casual viewer, it’s just an up-close, personal look at one of the greatest athletes today.
Really, there’s nothing I can complain about this DVD release. If anything, I think there will be more demand for Spike Lee or others to continue this up-close look at how athletes are during the game.
Granted, I’m sure some organizations and coaches do not like to give that much access to the viewer of play call discussions but Kobe Bryant addresses it during his commentary saying that basketball is unlike other sports because opponents are going to know what the team is going to do, but it’s all about how the play is executed.
For the parents and coaches (who were thinking of showing this to their high school basketball athletes), the main feature does contain quite a bit of profanity but there is a censored broadcast version if you are concerned.
Overall, I’m sure Lakers fans will love this release but this is not just for Lakers fans, this is for basketball fans especially those who aspire to be on team, those who want to be better on the basketball court and to learn how leadership is carried on the court and also out from one of best basketball player of all time.
“Kobe Doin’ Work: MVP Limited Edition” is definitely recommended!
