Drazen

I'm from Hungary, grew up playing basketball in the 90's and 2000's so Drazen was a little before my time, but we knew about the yugoslavian dream team of the early 90's and all their great world class players, especially Drazen. He was truly a trailblazer for european basketball, the first who proved in the NBA that the best of Europe can compete with the very best the NBA has to offer.

This movie was sadly quite a disaster, nowhere near the quaily that such a legendary athlete would deserve. I was expecting something like the recent Disney movie of Giannis' life, but this is a low budget movie with a terrible choice for the lead actor. It's one thing that the guy doesn't have the phisique of an NBA star, but it's quite ridiculous that the real Drazen was much better looking than the actor portraying him. Like come on, couldn't they find someone who at least doesn't have a round face with a double chin? It was very distracting, but even worse, the story was boring although it could've had much more action and insteresting stuff. E g. They completely left out the 92 olympics or how the yugoslavian propaganda turned serbian and croatian players against each other before that. Only good thing I can say about the movie is that the ending was done tastefully, it was a nice touch.

Maybe one day a more talented croatian director will do a better work, until then we at least have the 30 for 30, Once Brothers ESPN docu which is a very good tribute to this legendary basketball player.

Drazen is a powerful look at the life of Drazen Petrovic, one of basketball's all-time greats, told in a way that's emotional, inspiring, and so relatable for everyone, young and old. This isn'ta typical sport story, but a personal journey that hits hard, especially for those of us who grew up watching Drazen's career in the '80s. Seeing this movie brought back all the memories of cheering for him, especially during his time with the national team. The film beautifully captures the values of family, resilience, and love that defined him, and it's perfect for both kids and adults.

I brought my seven-year-old son and fourteen-year-old daughter to watch it, and they loved it. My son was totally into it, saying he admired how Drazen "just kept trying no matter what." My daughter got really emotional, especially enjoying the scenes with Drazen's family and his bond with his brother. She also appreciated the love story. Both of them were totally absorbed by the scenes from Drazen's childhood.

For me, it was like a trip back in time, and the casting was just fantastic. Tonko Stosic as young Drazen and Lovro Tanfara as young Aleksandar were so convincing; they really brought that brotherly bond to life. Pavle Matusko as the grown-up Aleksandar was excellent too - the whole cast truly delivered. Domagoj Nizic was fantastic as Drazen, capturing his spirit and intensity perfectly, while Zrinka Cvitesic as Drazen's mom was another standout. And that final song - it really hit me hard.

With stunning cinematography, a great soundtrack, and a storyline that showcases the power of dedication and love, Drazen is an unforgettable experience.

The film begins in such a detailed, warm way, it immediately draws you into the story, however, as the film progresses, something like a kind of holes in the script itself is visible. He abruptly switches from one to another (completely unimportant) part of Drazen's life. You get a detailed account of Drazen's love life, but you leave out what made Drazen world famous, which is his basketball success. The first part of the film (Drazen's childhood and teenage days) looks pretty good, while the second part of the film (Drazen's professional basketball career) looks like a longer movie trailer. Such a capital work with a capital title had to be done in much more detail and more carefully, this is the grade, in my case, drawn by the opening part of the film.

The second half of the movie feels like you're reading a book, skipping 10-20 pages after each page you read.

That one is a great movie from Croatia! Drazen is a heartfelt journey that pulls you in with its mix of romance and passion for basketball. While the story dives deeply into the life of Drazen Petrovic, it also captures the spirit of love in an touching way. The romantic angle maybe is a bit overdone.

Maybe making a series of it, it can tell a lot of more from the life story of Drazen... ( With more basketball emotions)

The cinematography is breathtaking! Every shot feels carefully planned, and you can tell that the whole team put in a massive amount of effort. The editing is super clean, and each scene transitions are smoothly done for me, helping the story flow in a way that keeps you engaged from beginning to end.

You can see the love and dedication of the entire cast and crew. This film is absolutely worth watching, whether you're a fan of basketball, romance, or just great storytelling. Thank you to everyone involved in creating this! It's a beautiful tribute and definitely worth the watch!

The movie portrays Drazen as a whole person, not just a basketball player. It reveals sides of him that many didn't know about, both good and bad. In my opinion, that is a major strength. While many expected only a series of basketball games, this film offers so much more (but it does, of course include basketball highlights). It explores his emotional connections with his family as well as his career. The relationship between his mother and him is incredibly moving, and his fight to even be allowed to start playing basketball is deeply inspiring.

I believe the vision for this movie was not only to pay tribute to this extraordinary player but also to show that he wasn't perfect. It serves as a reminder that, despite our flaws, we can still achieve greatness.

The final scene depicting Drazen's tragic death was extremely emotional, leaving a profound impact on the audience. It was so powerful that it brought many to tears, myself included. The scene serves as a poignant reminder of how fragile life is and the importance of making the most of every moment because you never know what could happen. It beautifully captures the shock and sorrow of losing someone so full of life and potential, leaving viewers reflecting on their own lives and the legacies they wish to leave behind.

In addition, this film is a step in the right direction for the Croatian film industry, which has struggled to really inspire. By blending emotional storytelling with a nuanced portrayal of a national hero, "Drazen" sets a new standard for biographical films in the region. It proves that Croatian cinema is capable of producing compelling narratives that resonate on a universal level.

Ultimately, "Drazen" isn't just a movie about basketball; it's a powerful story about ambition, resilience, and the complexities of human nature. It leaves a lasting impact, not only as a tribute to Drazen Petrovic but as a significant achievement in Croatian filmmaking.