Year: 2009
Running Time: 85 Minutes
Rated: TV-14
SRP: $ 29.99
Studio(s): ESPN Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 24, 2009

Film/Feature: B
Have you ever wanted to get so close to an NBA basketball game that you know what’s going on? No, I’m not talking about seeing what’s going on, but really knowing what’s going on? That means you’d either have to be a player or a coach to have that privileged information, and chances are you’re neither, but Spike Lee filmed Kobe Bryant late in his 2007 MVP season with several cameras, and mic’ed him up for an ESPN documentary, Kobe Doin’ Work. Afterwards, Bryant visited the footage long after and recorded a commentary to give a much fuller context of what was really going on in that game.

It starts inside the locker room during the Lakers pregame routine before a late season game against Western Conference rivals San Antonio Spurs. While watching video of the Spurs, Lakers head coach Phil Jackson warns his captains to tell the refs before the game starts, “My coach told me to tell you guys ‘Don’t let Oberto or Duncan pick and use their hands.” Kobe’s response is priceless.

Once the ball tips, it’s Bryant talking with a few prodding questions by Lee. It takes some time for Bryant to warm up, but once the game is in flow, he gives the audience unlimited access. Bryant shares what coach Jackson’s strategy is in a timeout, what he’s thinking while he’s on the bench, what he sees as a play develops or when it breaks down. Hear him communicate his observations to his teammates, explaining how he plays defense and how he prepares for each opponent. And he even translates what he says when he speaks to his international teammates in their native tounges.

As a long time NBA fan, I found the most interesting part of the commentary to be when he starts breaking down Jackson’s vaunted triangle offense and how the Lakers are able to freelance off of the basic concept and tweak it to the flow of the game. The game is as much execution as it is preparation and it’s understood, listening to Bryant.

Stylistically, Lee uses several vantage points and cameras to follow Bryant for the entire game. He’ll mix in some black and white photography, and replay an exclamation play again and again. The viewer gets multiple views of the game that could only be seen and heard from courtside seats or by being a Laker. I’ve only gotten this close at a college game and Lee recreates the sensation when sitting close and frantically scanning around the arena. If there’s one big gripe I have, it’s Bruce Hornsby’s happy, jazzy piano score. There’s some more somber tunes that are played, which fit nicely, but one particular finger-snappy tune took me out of the moment.

Despite what people may snidely remark about Bryant, he shows much respect for his competitors. He loves each of his teammates and respects the game. It’s doubtful that most players think like him. It’s hard not to like him more, or at least respect him more after watching Kobe Doin’ Work. The doc is simply seeing and hearing Kobe at work, but it’s that unprecedented look into what goes on inside his head and on the bench that makes this better than courtside seats–cheaper too.

Video: B
The DVD shows Doin’ Work on a 480p standard definition transfer in 1.78:1 aspect ratio. After being used to watching games in high definition, this was a step back from how good the game can look. Colors are still vibrant and good but are a little on the dull side. Everything has a light veil of grain, and a soft look, which probably had to do with the cameras Lee used more than anything else. There’s nothing that’s distracting or bad, like edge enhancements or haloing, but it’s just knowing how much better it could look, makes me pull back on the video grade.

Audio: B+
Kobe Doin’ Work gets a 5.1 English Dolby Digital audio track that uses all five channels effectively. Everything that comes out of Kobe and Spike’s mouths is heard in the center channel, all of it distinctly clear. Front and rear channels are used for music, squeaking sneakers, arena noise, and crowd reaction whether it’s cheering, sighing, or clapping. Lower frequency sounds peeks out when the game announcer speaks or the arena sound effects person decides he/she wants to get the crowd involved with a synchronized cheer or song.

Other audio selections include: Hearing the Game Only Experience with no commentary and the Censored Broadcast Audio Version which was used to air on ESPN. The whole point of the film is to get a real experience so I’ve never been a fan of censorship. As for the no commentary, I don’t see much point to it unless you enjoy sitting and watching a game alone. Yellow subtitles are available in English, English SDH, French, French SDH, Spanish, and Spanish SDH.

Extras: C-
Where this disc really falls off at is the supplements. We get two deleted scenes, and a bunch of intros and music montages. Not a lot of thought or creativity was put into this section and sadly the score reflects that.

Deleted Scene: The Unseen Fourth Quarter SD (9:22) As Bryant sat for most of the fourth quarter, he still remained in the ear of his teammates. In a time out Bryant talks to Luke Walton, and Jordan Farmar his observations on how they can beat their man.

Deleted Scene: Press Conference SD (2:53) After the big game Bryant has his usual press Q&A with sports reporters.

Introduction to the Film by director Spike Lee SD (0:49) is exactly how it sounds. I just wish that Lee didn’t sound like he read the intro and just talked naturally, but hearing him in commentary tracks, he does have this certain Spike cadence.

Spike Lee on Kobe’s Commentary SD (3:19) Lee explains the difficulty of trying to schedule Bryant for the commentary. If he was unable to record it, there would be no film. So Lee recalls Bryant laying down the audio for the film right after his 61-point game against the New York Knicks.

Music Video: Levitate by Bruce Hornsby SD (4:19) features Hornsb’s closing credit song combined with the film footage and black and white photos.

Photo Montage SD (4:30) is a nice black and white photo show of the game set to the rhythm of Hornsby’s somber piano song playing behind. This is the the song I wish would have been more prominent in the film.

E60 Behind the Scenes SD (2:19) I’ve enjoyed the television show E:60 for their long investigative pieces but this was as brief as a Lakers’ fastbreak.

Baskeball Card Doin’ Work comes with an Upper Deck Basketball Card of Kobe Bryant, but it’s not a chanse card, jersey card or signature card, so it’s for the most part worthless.

Overall Shock Value: B-
As a big sports fan, and big NBA fan, I found Doin’ Work to be the courtside seats I’ve always wanted but could never afford. Despite my predilection for other NBA stars, I cannot take away how good a player Kobe Bryant is and being able to hear how an athlete of that caliber break down what’s going through his mind, what he sees on the court and what he’s telling his teammates is a unique experience that I think others who share my same love of the game, fans of Kobe, and the casual fan who respects the thrill of competition of any sport will enjoy seeing this. I’d like to see Lee follow a few other players, that’s how much I enjoyed it. However, I question how many repeat viewings one could get out of Doin’ Work and if professional b-ball isn’t your game of choice or the audio commentary is of no interest, then it’s safe to say this isn’t a blind buy. Doin’ Work is worth a Rental, a highly recommended one.