‘Untold: Jail Blazers’ Netflix Review - A Look at Talent and Media Narratives

NBA lovers, “Untold: Jail Blazers” is just the right watch for you. This time, the documentary focuses on the 2000 Portland Trail Blazers squad, which was known for being dominant on the court. But as much as it was known for being famous on court, so was the squad known for being infamous off court. The heart of the documentary revolves around players such as Rasheed Wallace, Damon Stoudamire, and Bonzi Wells, who were the driving forces behind the Blazers becoming a serious contender. It was their performances that helped the team reach the stage where it was back in the day. However, Untold: Jail Blazers stands out in many ways. For example, the makers also show us what happens outside of these games. They also don’t shy away from showing us the arrests, suspensions, and numerous controversies that made the team infamous. Nowhere do the makers try to portray the team as one of the best. Where it is doing well, that part alongside the part where things went down is also shown to us.

Another area where Untold: Jail Blazers stands out is how well the players are given the place to tell things themselves. A safe space is created in a way that all the information we are shown is straight from the horse’s mouth. There are no cuts and filters. The good and the bad are all shown to us just as they should be. The candid interviews add a layer of depth to the documentary's overall presentation.

Supporting the interviews are the archived footage from the day. This helps us viewers get a better clarity of what exactly the makers and the players are trying to convey. Additionally, the pacing ensures that the plot remains tight without feeling boring. The makers don’t drag anything, which is one of the biggest plus points of Untold: Jail Blazers. Documentaries like these tend to get boring when too much is being told or if the core idea isn’t executed well enough. Thankfully, in this case, none of that happens, ensuring we all have a great viewing experience.

The manner in which the makers have blended admiration and critique is what makes Untold: Jail Blazers stand out from many sports documentaries made so far. It is more like an examination of the Jail Blazers and those involved. That critical examination tends to be missing in many documentaries.  This ensures that we viewers also get to watch a balanced opinion of the players. But that being said, one might also feel that sometimes, the makers have tried hard to correct the image of the team. That is a drawback I found for the plot. It does feel that the documentary is more like giving a clarification to people regarding all the controversies that rocked the players. Apart from this, there is nothing very alarming in the documentary. However, if you aren’t into the NBA, this might not be the best watch for you. You can get bored with all the information being given. But that is a case that stands true for all the sports documentary themes.

Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Ch
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times