When the Pallisades Gardens Roller Rink closes down, “X” (Bow Wow) and his friends Junior (Brandon), Boo (Marcus), Naps (Rick), and Mike (Khleo) head to Sweetwater Rink. The fancy rink on Chicago’s North Side initially intimidates the teens, but once skating champion Sweetness (Wesley) and his roller minions challenge them, the South Side gang pledges to win the Annual Skate Off, whose title has been held by their challengers for several years. With new friend Tori (Jurnee) in tow, the boys work diligently to prepare for the August showdown. In addition to the competition, “X” is also trying to win the attention of a former acquaintance - Naomi, who has blossomed from a “duck girl” (“so ugly when you see her you have to duck”) into a real beauty.

On a more serious note, while “X” is determined to help his friends succeed, he is struggling to deal with his mother’s death and get along with his distant father. Curtis (Chi), a trained engineer, finds himself unemployed, unable to tell his kids the truth, and unwilling to allow himself to heal after the loss of his wife. The tension is thick between the two with “X” trying to become a man and Curtis battling with his responsibilities as a man and a father. Within their relationship and the teens’ friendships life lessons abound including the importance of perseverance, the strength of loyalty, the power of love and the necessity of facing tragedy and moving through it. The acting is a little weak, with the exception of the very talented Chi McBride, but the dramatic, yet kind-of-funny story is a touching one.

Roll Bounce has a great soundtrack that takes one back to the 70s including the likes of Earth, Wind, and Fire and Bill Withers and while watching the movie your feet and head will most likely bounce in response to the familiar tunes.

Often, only one example of an artist’s work - - a book, movie, play, or song - - is needed to recognize talent. Director/Writer Malcolm D. Lee exhibited that in The Best Man (1999), which is fun and offers interesting commentary on the dynamics of relationships. Roll Bounce, while charming, isn’t as strong. Still, one hopes that Lee will share more of his writing and directorial flair with us in the near future; he seems to have some good things to say.