30 for 30 Benji (2009– ) watch online HD

30 for 30: Benji (2012)

*** 1/2 (out of 4)

This episode in the ESPN series takes a look at teenager Ben Wilson who quickly became the number one high school player in the country but before he could take that talent to college or the professional league, he was shot and killed at the age of 17. The film talks to his friends, coaches and even some famous people who knew the young star to explain why his name and memory is still strong in Chicago. BENJI is another very well-made entry in the series, which just demands excellence. This story is one that could probably be told about many great players but from everyone interviewed it seems that this guy was someone special and someone that would probably be a legend had he not been murdered that day. Such famous faces as Common, R. Kelly, Jesse Jackson, Nick Anderson and Juwan Howard are interviewed about Wilson as they talk about what made him so special. Wilson's older brother is also interviewed and talks about the temper that might have led to his death. What actually happened to him is discussed as there are two sides of the story and we even get the murderer on hand telling his side of the events. I think the most shocking thing that comes from this story is that Wilson was the 669th victim in Chicago that year alone. Fans of the series are certainly going to want to check this one out as it features all the strong stuff that you've come to expect.

My guess is that you could make hundreds or even thousands of films very similar to "30 for 30: Benji". After all, for every kid that eventually grows up and makes it big in sports, there are countless others who fail miserably on their way to this grand life. In some cases, the kids end up destroying themselves and in some others they just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. In the case of "Benji", I think it's a little bit of each--but mostly a case of a kid being in the wrong place at the right time.

Benji was a local Chicago kid who was expected to be a top college and NBA star. After all, going into college, he was the #1 ranked prospect in the entire world! Much of the film shows his life as folks talk about his accomplishments on the basketball court and how he was an inspiration to so many people. Later, however, he made a few bad choices (teen pregnancy and a few other missteps), but he still seemed destined for greatness....until some punks decided to kill him for no particular reason.

All in all, a very depressing episode of "30 for 30"--perhaps the most depressing. Well worth seeing but one that is occasionally marred by folks talking about this young man like he was some sort of angel. He wasn't--he was very, very normal--and to me, that is what makes this story so sad, as just about all our kids are normal! What a loss. Additionally, call me a cynic if you'd like but some of the interviewees seemed more like folks who were more interested in being seen than about Benji and his untimely death--and one of Benji's family members said as much in one of the clips. I think dropping many of the interviewees in favor of those who knew and loved the kid would have tightened this one up a bit and made it a great episode instead of just another good one from "30 for 30".