Solid and enjoyable if somewhat unremarkable sports movie

Rating: Null/10 (11 September 2008)

The pupils of a Richmond, California high school have little in the way of academic potential and, in their basketball team, little to celebrate in way of sporting achievement. The team and the players get a shakeup when local sports store Ken Carter accepts the job of coach of the basketball team. Making the players focus on fitness and sign academic contracts, the team revolts but quickly comes round to the tough new regime. He technique works on some levels as the team goes on an undefeated run in the league, however when the players start falling down in other areas, Carter holds to his original promises no matter what others think.
The fact that FilmFour is playing this film at all times of the day on freeview should perhaps give an indication that this is not a "special" film that is worthy of great attention. It isn't and nor did it get any. This is not the same as saying it is a poor film though because it is certainly not. Although it is based on a true story, it is, at heart, a sports movie that sees the underdog team winning despite the odds. Along with this it does have the message of the importance of education and respect rather than arrogance and "NBA or nothing" attitude and for this it is hard to dislike it  and I suppose it isn't that heavily delivered. These elements work well together and make the film engaging enough without ever being anything particularly inventive or original. If the film is 50% accurate in regards Carter then certainly he deserves more  particularly within the sport of basketball in US, not a minor activity by any means.
The heavy soundtrack shows the target audience and is sadly another demonstration of the lack of invention in the delivery although everything is competently done  the direction didn't wow me but the sports action is well shot, which is not that easy to do. The cast are likewise solid and effective without ever excelling. Jackson goes into "father-figure" mode for this and it works well as his screen presence carries him a long way. He is well supported by the players themselves; OK some of them skate very close to being stereotypes but Gbewonyo, Brown, Gonzalez, Tatum and others all hold together well. Not sure about the casting of Ashanti. Yes she is sexy and adds appeal to this MTV film but she never feels the age of her character and instead just gets by being cute.
Coach Carter is a MTV film that offers sports and a "message" and it pretty much does what you would expect and is still good even though it is anything shockingly new or inventive. It is solid across the board and an easily enjoyable film based on quite an inspiring true story.