Michael Jordan's Last Dance

An in-depth look at the Chicago Bulls' rather tumultuous 1997-98 season adds further layers to the already fabled legend of a famed global icon

If there's one thing to be learned from "The Last Dance", being "like Mike" wasn't easy. It wasn't particularly easy being next to Mike, either. While his athletic prowess and million dollar smile became red-hot commodities for brands like Nike, Gatorade and McDonald's, underneath it stood one of the most fierce competitors the sport has ever seen. That passion inevitably comes with a price. Throughout the 10-part miniseries, Jordan stars as fearless hero, ill-tempered bully and brash antihero, sometimes all in a matter of minutes. He berated several teammates, openly mocked others and had an icy relationship with upper management. The result? Six championships. Was it all worth it? He certainly believes so.

This ESPN and Netflix collaboration traces the Bulls' entertaining evolution from cellar dweller to dynasty with some of its most recognizable key players; B.J. Armstrong, Horace Grant, Phil Jackson, Steve Kerr, Scottie Pippen and Dennis Rodman. Along with other Bulls alumni, it also features several NBA legends and some of franchise's biggest rivals; Larry Bird, Patrick Ewing, Magic Johnson, Reggie Miller and Isiah Thomas. Anyone familiar with their careers has probably heard most of these stories before, but there are some surprises. Jordan's foul-mouthed candor is chief among them. He refuses to be magnanimous, even nearly two decades after his last retirement. He bristles at the thought of old beefs and revels in crushing the competition as if the games were played yesterday.

His fiery nature is what makes Jordan an endlessly fascinating sports figure. After carefully crafting his public persona for over 30 years, this is arguably the most candid he's ever been. Not quite contrite, he examines some of his flaws and the biggest blemishes on his complicated resume. If you're a sports fan, particularly basketball, viewing is almost a requirement. If you're not a sports fan, there should be more than enough behind-the-scenes drama to hold your interest. From Dennis Rodman's outrageous antics, to contract disputes, to Michael's gambling woes, the docuseries doesn't shy away from the unflattering details of the Bulls' heyday. Are there some embellishments? Perhaps. After all, Jordan had a considerable amount of creative control over the project. Some controversial talking points were omitted, but the fact Jordan didn't excise everything painting him in a negative light is a miracle. Director Jason Heir does a fantastic job framing the split timeline narrative and mixing archival footage with the sit-down interviews. Overall, it's an absolutely captivating glimpse at the meteoric rise of a franchise alongside its signature megastar and the grueling road to their bittersweet fairy tale ending. A+