n outstanding soundtrack, which seems to magically enhance every single sequence, resonates fervently throughout Adam Yauch’s feature-length documentary experiment, “Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot.” Following the formula for comparable, inspirational sports projects, Yauch examines eight high school basketballers vying for recognition, college scholarships, and attention from the NBA. But while a few unique camera tricks are used to enhance the rudimentary questioning of family and friends, and the targets themselves exhibit appeal, the film’s greatest nemesis is the same predicament far too many documentaries face: the subject matter. Highly entertaining for those interested in the topic, the film never manages to find universal footing for viewers not enmeshed in the frenzy and rivalry of an elite game at a legendary basketball arena.

Eight high school kids, including Jarryd Bayless, Michael Beasley, Kevin Love, Kyle Singler, and Tyreke Evans, are gearing up for an invitation to one of the most prestigious basketball events in the nation. The Elite 24 pits the top talents all around the U.S. against each other in a competitive showdown at the famed Rucker Park. Where Reebok, Adidas, and Nike have their own camps to harvest the best young talents, The Elite 24 doesn’t separate players based on their shoes. It is an all-out battle between the best of the best in high school basketball.

Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys fame directs “Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot” with a knowledgable but plain sensibility for the material. From the generic opening title sequence with painfully low-budget graphics, to the commonplace handheld camerawork, there really isn’t anything technically significant to witness. Yauch uses a fisheye lens for visual flair in an impressive aerial shot above New York, but then proceeds to overkill the idea by utilizing it for nearly every other subsequent shot. The most exciting moments, including the shattering of a backboard at a high school game, are home-video footage from the bleachers, and are incredibly grainy. While more of these exhilarating moments would have been gladly welcomed, the substandard quality of such archives detracts from focusing on the amazing talents on display. It would be admirable if the stark attention to the players was purposeful, but it seems more due to failure in moderate embellishment.

The most impressive aspect of “Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot” is the soundtrack. Blazing hip-hop, smooth jazz, break beats, and heavy rhythmic clips permeate the film, managing to make each skilled maneuver just that much more awe-inspiring. But like so many documentaries, the subject matter speaks to a very distinct group, and is unable to transcend to other demographics. With the inspiring notion that these kids are as young as 15 years old, the hilarious nicknames, the brightly colored shoes, overbearing agents, questionably experienced professional analysts, pressures of the media, and an abrupt conclusion, “Gunnin’ for That #1 Spot” is enlightening but narrow in effort and scope.

– Mike Massie