Good messages make it through a predictable story

Rating: 6/10 (30 July 2005)

"Coach Carter" is much more than a movie about basketball. As a sports/basketball movie, I would say that it is as predictable as "Hoosiers" or "Rocky". But it is much more than that.
It is the story of a man who felt that the kids in his program did not have to settle for the type of life that others had predicted for them. It shows that if people took the time to take time to share themselves with their community or schools, they can make a profound difference in the lives of our youth. Let them see that they have more options available to them than they might expect.
Samuel L. Jackson plays Coach Carter as a hard, but fair man, who expects more from his players than they(or their community) ever expected from them. Going so far as to lock his players out of the gym, until their academic scores improve. It is a first rate, fully fleshed-out performance that never veers into cliché.
Yes, there are elements of this movie that are very predictable, bordering on standard formula. But overall, the message that is sent is one that makes a tremendous impact.
Other performances are very good, especially Ashanti.