Kobe Bryant's Muse (2015 TV Movie) User Reviews

When Do You Know When It's Time?

[ThomasDrufke · 8/10 · 12 April 2015]

I don't watch a ton of documentaries but I try to catch them when they concern things or people I'm interested in. So when I heard about the Showtime documentary involving Kobe Bryant, I knew I wanted to check it out. I have been a fan of him for a long time and specifically remember dropping 70-80 points with him in NBA 2k so I've been looking to find out more about his personal life and his road to being one of the greatest players in NBA history.

Most documentaries take the approach of finding many people close to the central figure in the story, and getting several interviews to comment on that particular person. Instead with 'Muse', we only get Bryant's story from his perspective. At first, I thought this would take away from the credibility of the piece, but it turns out it added to the emotional gravitas of the film. I will say when the film got less serious and focused on basketball, I would have liked former players, columnists, or coaches to shed some light on the Black Mamba. The film focuses a lot on his rehabilitation of his Achilles tear in the 2013 playoffs. It's an interesting approach and it's a great example of a man doing everything he can to keep fulfilling his dream. Kobe is a rare type of a player and person in the NBA. Him and Michael Jordan are two of the most competitive and relentless players the league has ever seen, and this documentary was a good template in showing those particular qualities.

Luckily the film used a lot of archive footage showcasing Kobe during his early years as a high school phenom in Philadelphia all the way up until his several championship years with the Lakers. It was also nice to see him open up about his personal problems throughout the film. You don't usually get to see that side of athletes and I'm glad they didn't set out to make Kobe a godlike creature, although anyone who scores as easily as he does is near godlike. So 'Muse' showed multiple facets of Kobe's life and gave us the best in depth look at his career yet. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Kobe or just loves basketball, and the road to becoming great.

+Kobe opens up

+Archive footage

+Different approach to doc

-Still wanted more interviews with other people involved

8.1/10

Great Documentary

[FilmBlood · 9/10 · 1 March 2015]

This is a great documentary film. He reveals his vision for a better career and a better life. You understand his dream and determination to be the best he can be. It shows the daily grind of practice and training. The tough physical therapy that pro athletics endure to make a recovery from a major injury. How he was suffers from poor personal choices and learned to become a better man. There was a time in my life when I despised Kobe Bryant. I saw him as a young cocky basketball star that didn't deserve the right to be a role model. After he won his 4th and 5th titles with the Los Angeles Lakers, I learned to respect him. After watching this film, I'd like to see him play and maybe even get the chance to meet him.

A different perspective

[aglenn85 · 9/10 · 17 September 2015]

As a documentary filmmaker I must say that this is a very well made film. From a filmmaker view the film did a great job at providing a clear storyline. I really enjoyed going from present to past, interlocking the injury recovery of Bryant and his life. The black and white color choice was a great one for the present part of the film. I hadn't really been a fan of Kobe Bryant because he was so good that he just came across as a very cocky individual. After watching this film and learning of all that he was going through in his career and personal life I can now say that I am a fan of Kobe as a person. I felt that he did a very good choice on being honest in his thoughts. I do feel that the sexual assault part of his life was danced around and those that don't know of that will be a little confused when that part of the film is discussed during the year of 2003. For him being as honest as he was with everything else, I do feel that there would have been a stronger impact on the film if he hadn't danced around that part, but had attacked it straight on as he did with everything else. This left me inspired to be a better person and to understand why the Kobe Bryant I have seen play basketball always was so cocky. A must watch.

OUR Muse: Kobe Bryant

[hayez99 · 10/10 · 7 February 2020]

"There is power in understanding the journey of others to help you create your own." As the documentary starts, those are the first words you see on the screen. Every word is delicately displayed but only for mere seconds. In fact, if you aren't really paying attention, you'll miss the message completely. It comes as quickly as it goes and in an instant, the screen fades to black. I believe that subtle detail in itself is deeply profound and prophetic in its own right; it deserves to be mentioned so that nobody misses it. There's enough we all have to mourn and miss right now. As for the documentary as a whole, I can only reflect and share my somewhat ambiguous but wholeheartedly genuine opinion as a lifelong fan of the game and KB. I feel like this documentary was extremely relevant, candid, authentic and more than "worth watching" when it initially aired. Watching it again, now, was difficult but also beautiful which elevated to a level that can't be sufficiently described in words unless, of course, those words are Kobe's. I'm glad I've been able to watch it twice and from two extraordinarily different mindsets. I'm glad because even though it's not my first time watching it, I'm fairly certain it'll be my last. I'd like to remember it as is and let it Rest along with Kobe and Gigi, In the sweetest Peace. So it goes. For those who haven't yet, I encourage you to watch this documentary and listen to Kobe tell his own story, in his own words as only KB can. I think we all know that nothing is truly guaranteed in life but I can guarantee this; it'll be more than worth watching whether it's your first, second, third, fourth or final time. For the love of the game, the story of a legend lost too soon, and the glory of his greatness that remains here with us; it truly is more than worth it. Trust me. 'Til we get there... In loving memory of Kobe Bryant and his beautiful Babygirl by his side still ballin' with him; we miss you, we love you, and we'll see you both in our Hoop Dreams. #RIP

Long live the mamba king

[thivyanagamuthu · 10/10 · 4 February 2020]

This is probably my favourite documentaries ever! I'm so sad my interest in watching nba basketball became an interest to me so late in my life and not realizing how valuable Kobe was in this world! 💜💜💜💜💜 ! #mambamentality #iwanttobethenextKobeBryant

Just awesome...

[jakebrann · 9/10 · 11 May 2020]

Great documentary. Just found this on Prime and watched it here a few months after his passing and that made it kinda sad. What an incredible athlete and competitor this guy was. I had no idea his father played in the NBA for 8 years as well. The Black Mamba is a legend. RIP Kobe...

Crazy how life works!!

[splittlerock-sp · 8/10 · 31 January 2020]

Really hit different watching this after his passing, but overall great documentary.

An Intimate Portrait of the Late Legend

[robertrutledge · 6/10 · 5 January 2023]

Kobe Bryant's Muse is about what I expected. I must admit, I only developed an interest in the late legendary basketball player after his relatively recent untimely passing. He is indeed one of the greatest players to have ever played the game, and this movie does a good job of portraying some of the biggest obstacles he faced in his professional and personal life. I feel like I know more about his struggles on and off the court after watching this documentary.

The film's driving plot amidst the non-linear storytelling outlining Kobe's career and love for the game is his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon injury at the tail end of the 2012-2013 NBA regular season. The injury came to be the first of many that would ultimately lead to his retirement in 2016, the year after this film was released. This is an interesting although not entirely original approach. However, too much emphasis is placed on the injury, making the movie drag.

As stated by other reviewers, literally the only person interviewed is Kobe himself. This is a fresh approach to the sports documentary genre, although it would have been nice to have gotten other perspectives as well from people who watched Kobe grow. While he goes into great detail about his relationship with his wife Vanessa, his relationships with notable teammates (i.e. Shaq, Pau Gasol) and coaches (i.e. Phil Jackson) are left almost completely ignored.

From a cinematographic perspective, the movie offers an intimate portrait of the basketball legend. However, certain scenes of Kobe shooting baskets all alone that are supposed to be artistic and graceful come off as slightly boring. On the other hand, the editing, music, etc. Are all quite professional and in good taste.

Overall, while this film offers a glimpse into the factors that contributed to Kobe's passion for the game and incredible work ethic, I was hoping for more. In the context of his death, this movie could have explored much more. His achievements as an athlete and his overall legacy seen underplayed. But of course, none of the filmmakers at the time of this movie's production knew he would not be with us much longer. I would recommend this film to die-hard Kobe fans wanting to know more about the struggles he faced. I personally would not watch it again though.

THANK You, Kobe!

[Jazznme2 · 10/10 · 25 May 2016]

Just seeing this for the first time. I've been a Kobe fan since 1996! The only basketball player I can honestly say, of whom, I am truly a fan! The ONE and ONLY! Thank you, Kobe, for doing "Muse", for the 20 years, for you! I have been a fan of SO many sports players in MLB and NFL, going back to Mickey Mantle, my first! Through Walter Payton, Tug McGraw, Tom Seaver, Tim Lincecum, Hunter Pence, Madison Bumgarner, Peyton Manning, Cam Newton!! That special, trademark smug look Kobe would project just demonstrated, year after year, how dedicated and impassioned he was about his game. How could anyone not admire that kind of surreal dedication! Also, makes me wonder what kind of person could give this film anything less than a 7! In my opinion, only a hater or idiot could do so. And definitely not a sports fan or any kind. If you really love sports, then you can also admire adversaries and opponent greats, like Tom Brady for instance. I just wish I could thank Kobe for doing this feature. Guess I could on Twitter. Oh yes! And thank you Kobe for that last game! Just watched the whole think a 2nd time, this week. And loved the farewell, "Mamba Out", and 'dropped' the mic!!

LOVE IT!! Only wish it were two hours! ONLY one Kobe! Will miss your presence on the court in that Lakers uniform--forever.

With love, your fans

[albertrwz · 9/10 · 18 March 2017]

I can't hold back my tears when I watch this.

Kobe. GOAT. Mamba. The glory. That's what the media likes to call him in order to generate popularity.

But the Kobe in front of the camera here is the most raw and Kobe-like Kobe. A superman who's a human with badges on his front and scars on his back. The lonely kid sitting in the corner. The dreamer who believes in his dreams. The passion. The drive... That's what most people associate with when they mention Kobe.

But what cracks me into tears is when he said "I failed miserably." That's what truly makes a man great, the ability to see through his own weakness and failures and recover from that. That's what we do.

The pain and sacrifices right in front of your eyes. I can't stop my tears. This is the real Kobe. This is the real superman.

The director did an amazing job. Action speaks louder than words. This is the beauty of a motion picture. No words. Just background music. A physical therapist is working on Kobe's foot. Drop down a box of marbles. Kobe has to pick them up with his injured foot. I can't stop my tears.

Raw. Very Kobe. Nothing to envy about. The emotion. The highlight. The pain. The struggle. Behind his 30K pts and 5 rings. Thank you Kobe.

With love, Your fans

RIP Mamba

[nicktusk · 9/10 · 5 February 2020]

Mamba mentality. Unfortunately I didn't watch this until after Kobe's passing . It was a great movie . Sad to see him go at a young age and what he was to become after life after basketball. It basically takes you to his potential career ending Achilles surgery. Then it takes you back to Italy how he grew up And his father in the NBA played etc. It also has details of how him and Vanessa Bryant met. I feel it's A really good movie whether you are a Kobe fan or not. The ending is pretty intense. It even shows him flying back in a helicopter he's looking out at the city. Without getting into his passing , I get a little choked up watching the end of the film because he's playing with his two daughters Natalia and Gianna, who was the one he was with... I'm sure it's hard for his wife to watch this film and others close to the tragedy,but it just goes to show how strong of a player and person Kobe Bryant was to take it to the next step and do movies in art and creativity he definitely had a creativity side.... you will be missed but more importantly Kobe , remembered .