It is so refreshing to go to a movie with very low expectations, only to leave the theater proven completely wrong. To leave being not only entertained, but also enlightened. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen this time around.

Detroit underground basketball is the subject matter here. Caught up in this money hungry world of high stakes and low morals are two best friends with different goals in life. Noah Cruise, the brains of the duo, is on his way to becoming a college success. He has the gift, of basketball that is, but he only wants to use it to get a full scholarship to UCLA. He has dreams and aspirations of becoming a doctor one day.

His best friend Tech, the realist of the duo, has other aspirations. He is blinded by the idea of going pro and making tons of money, but with only his GED, the only way for him to get the glory is by making a name for himself in the underground league. Seduced by the sharp tongued, former sports agent turned promoter Vaughn, Tech enlists his best friend to help his team bring down undisputed champ, Jewelz, not taking into consideration the fact that Noah’s college eligibility can be forfeited if the word got out that he played ball for money.

Not a bad concept, right? Well, what in the hell went wrong? Crossover was a wreck from the word go. It started off so slick and stylish. Unfortunately, its style went out of style really quickly. The characters were so contrived and the dialogue was comical. I laughed at scenes that weren’t meant to be funny. Plus, the basketball sequences were so boring and none satisfying. The acting was so over the top. Up and comer Anthony Mackie (Tech) was the biggest disappointment here. On the heels of his 2004 breakthrough performance in the indie hit Brother to Brother, Mackie turns in a performance that is sure to be remembered at award time. Razzie Award time.

For those of you not familiar with the Razzies, they coincide with the Academy Awards. They represent the worst in film for any given year. Well, with this film, the Razzie race has just begun. Although his performance wasn’t bad, Wayne Brady’s (Vaughn) appearance in this film was a bit unsettling. Did he owe a favor? He should be required to give back one of his Emmys for even having his name associated with this film. If you love great basketball. Love to watch great drama played out on the court. Stay home and watch a Clipper game. You’d have a lot more fun. I have to go watch a good basketball film to get this one off my mind. Hopefully in due time, Crossover will be crossed out of my mental rolodex.

--- by Thomas Ferguson