In the opening five minutes of this documentary two memorable quotes immediately grab your attention. The first comes from an enthusiastic commentator who rhetorically asks, "Whose game is it? Michael Jordan's game." This may have been said in a moment of energetic excitement, but the words ring true. As do the more seasoned and professional articulations of former Phoenix Suns coach Paul Westphal, who after losing to Jordan's Chicago Bulls in the world championship, profoundly states what the world already knew: "No one can stop him." Apparently, the only man who could stop His Airness was Michael himself. This documentary and personal interview recaps three of the most perplexing, entertaining, overwhelming, courageous, and painful years of Michael Jordan's life. Starting with the culmination of the 1993 season that saw his Bulls win a third straight championship to his much publicized and triumphant comeback in 1995. His first retirement in 1993 came on the heels of a season that had many ups and downs for a pensive Jordan, who began to have doubts about his ability to feel challenged by professional basketball. Jordan's main concern was feeling ambivalent about his gift to play the game that he loved. When his father was tragically murdered, his hand was forced, as he sensationally declared his retirement at the age of 30. Jordan exiled himself from the game as he came to terms, away from the court, with himself and his father's death. He tried his hand at baseball and a spot of acting but soon returned to the game he adored, much to the adulation of his fans and the world of sports. In many ways this is probably one of the most important biographies on Michael Jordan, because it doesn't focus solely on his game or those last-minute triumphs (his clutch shooting, for example, is so identifiable with his style of play that one day "doing a Jordan" may be a universal term recognizing greatness and reliability under pressure). Instead, this is a journey into the heart and soul of an enigmatic icon that has often been misunderstood. --Jeremy Storey
