Customer Reviews

Michael Jordan to the Max

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

This is, in my opinion, the finest video/documentary on Michael Jordan. It is head and shoulders above all of the dunk'o'rama highlight fodder which fills all of the other Jordan videos.

The production values are top notch. The colours are vivid and the sound is crisp. The voiceover commentary is provided by Laurence Fishburne and sets the tone well. Because the movie was filmed using IMAX technology it has a wide view of the on-court action which allows the viewer to take in everything which is happening. The DVD extras are more of an afterthought and do not really bring much to the mix.

As I alluded to before, this film focuses more on Jordan's leadership and his burning desire to win, which is a refreshing change.

Jordan is one of my favourite athletes. It is nice to finally see a production which actually pays him and his abilities the respect he deserves. I highly recommend this film, even more so to those people who never saw him play prior to his comeback with the Wizards, as they will see him when he was at the absolute pinnicle of human skill and ability.

I mean, a really REALLY big TV? If the answer is no, then you probably shouldn't get this DVD/VHS. Make no mistake: MJ to the Max is an IMAX movie, and you'll be very disappointed when you see it at home. About half of the movie has these really annoying picture-in-picture shots, which take up maybe 25% of the screen, and made me feel like I was watching streaming videos on the web. I'm sure this "technique" worked fine on a 80-foot-high screen, but it definitely doesn't on a regular TV.

In terms of the content, the movie also disappoints. It's nothing more than a rehash of ESPN highlights, except that it is shot at awkward angles and further away from the action. Again, this may have worked on a huge IMAX screen, but certainly not on a regular TV. The movie also fails to provide any in-depth behind-the-scenes material.

My 2 cents: Save your money unless 1) you are a die-hard MJ fan, and/or 2) you have a really really REALLY big TV.

I didn't see the IMAX version and I would agree with one of the previous reviews that mentioned this DVD is probably best left for large (5') screens. On a smaller screen, it is annoying to watch the picture-in-picture interviews and isn't any more impressive than a regular NBA Film production.

It was disappointed that the film covered everything you already knew about Jordan. (ie father's murder, being cut from the high school varsity squad, etc.) The behind-the-scenes footage isn't impressive, most of the film is dedicated to oncourt "ESPN highlights" and Jordan talking about his background.

Contains more extras than most sports documentary/films including a director's commentary.

Through all the negatives, it still leaves a warm spot in your chest because you can't help but admire the best basketball player of all time.

Important Note - I could not get the extra features menu to work on a PC DVD!

I wanted to see this at IMAX, but didn't get to. I'm very happy about that now. I bought the dvd and I gotta say it's pretty weak stuff. Nothing new, same old stuff you heard and saw a million times in the latter part of Jordan's career. In short, this film is a dud. It's like reading a Sports Illustrated for kids that's just a "get you up to speed" type of thing. Lots of praise, no controversy. Where's the gambling, Isiah Thomas hating guy who gave his teammates hell? This movie is all sweet and no bitter and it makes for very boring material. If you want to see a real Jordan video, watch Playground or Airtime (which are said to be coming out on a dvd called "Michael Jordan's Ultimate dvd"). If you want some real insight into the real Jordan, read "The Jordan Rules." But don't buy this Hallmark card movie. Besides, those of us who remember Jordan back in the 80s and early 90s can tell you that he was much more exciting then. Even when he wasn't winning championships, he was more entertaining than this whole Lakers squad is now. But "Jordan to the Max" is nothing to get excited about.

Excuse my poor english, but I'm a french fan of Michael Jordan and I would like to advise the future french customers about this dvd. First of all, the movie is great and tells the carreer of that astonishing athlete, probably one of the greats sportsmen ever seen. But the good new is that this dvd has a 5.1 dolby audio track in french, so I readed it easyly on my multizone dvd player. French fans of M.J., don't hesitate! This dvd is really the must!!!

The only reason to get this DVD is to immerse yourself in the sound mix in the introduction when they re-enact the introduction of the Bulls and Michael Jordan at the United Center. That was always exciting for me as a Jordan fan. Hearing it in Dolby Digital 5.1 with the lights out and a flashlight and hearken back to the glory days. Of all the Jordan videos to date, this DVD clearly has the best sound mix.

But this fairly short documentary itself is fairly bland. It follows the Bulls and Jordan during his last season, through the finals against the Jazz and Jordan's career-ending (for now, at least), game-winning shot in which he gave Bryon Russell a spank and then drained that jumper. Not much here that most fans don't already know. If you're a real Jordan and hoops fan, wait for the Jordan DVD box set which should have more footage from all throughout his career. This Michael Jordan light, with good sound.

Michael Jordan, whether soaring through the air in highlight-reels or examining his life and achievements in more staid documentaries, is always worth watching. This film uses a little of each while chronicling his final season as a Bull. Though it is not nearly as exciting as when viewed on a gigantic IMAX screen, the DVD version retains the vivid colors and crisp sounds that set this documentary apart from others that have focused on Jordan's career. With interesting commentary by people such as Phil Jackson and Bob Greene who know Jordan well, there is more insight into the man than in standard NBA Films type-material, and the flashbacks to Michael's struggles during high school, his brief stint in baseball, and the death of his father, really make the story of his triumphant season compelling. I would highly recommend this DVD to any fan of Michael Jordan.

It is an excellent film, but recalls many things hardcore Jordan fans knew long ago. It caters to a different audience, people new to the legendary one. It goes through his days in North Carolina, struggles to win a title, the dynasties briefly, his retirement (and consequent baseball career), the comeback, all the while leading the viewer through the 1998 Bulls NBA playoff run. The most touching part was surprisingly the baseball part, where it shows the human side of a great athlete. Failure can afflict even the most gifted, but it is not due to a lack of effort. The rest, well, I have seen before or saw it live. The coverage of the 1998 run did not have the depth that I would expect. It did not penetrate the psyche of a dynasty nearing its end. Overall, the film was good, a bit on the short side (45 min. or so), with good narration from Lawerence Fishborne. Recommended to anyone who knows little about the legend, the myth, and the man Michael Jordan.

I've always been a huge fan of Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls (especially since I live in Illinois). I went to an IMAX theater to watch this documentary. Once I got there, the IMAX screen was huge and looked nice (something that I would later realize was more of a hassle than a benefit). For starters, the screen was so big that you're constantly looking around you just to see the movie. But enough about my personal experiences and how I dislike the IMAX screen, lets get on with the actual movie/documentary(This is a standard documentary to me, but it seems like some people insist on calling it a movie). I have to be completely honest here: "Michael Jordan to the Max" is somewhat boring. Don't get me wrong, it well documents some of the highlights of M.J.'s career, but even a person that said he was one of Michael's biggest fans was sleeping during it. I suppose this documentary is something nice to have to complete your M.J. highlight DVDs, but some might find this thing to be a little boring.

I saw this movie in the IMAX theater in Boston at the Science Museum and was thrilled. Granted the home viewing experience is not the same but I also rented the DVD and was thrilled.. For those who did not enjoy the DVD, you have the wrong equipment. I have a widescreen TV and full 5.1 channel surround sound. The sound mix is incredible and the picture format and video transfer is stunning. In some game scenes it feels like you are on the court. I am going to buy this DVD for my home viewing pleasure and the legend of Michael Jordan will live on....