Great Movie

Rating: 8/10 (11 October 2004)

When I saw Friday Night Lights, it was if I had to view it with two very different personalities. The part of me that is the regular movie goer was impressed with the action sequences, and the great acting. I became totally immersed in the movie. I felt as if I was at a football game and at times I wanted to cheer. I felt true "Mojo Magic."
My other personality involves my childhood in Odessa. I was born there and lived there until I was 18. While watching the movie, I was surprised that it was not more factual. Permian only made it to the Semi-Finals that year against Dallas Carter, and lost 14-9. Most of the season viewers will see in the film was fictional. Also, Odessa is not a small town; it's a city of 100,000. As an Odessan, I felt that many of the important things about the team were forgotten or skipped over. Most of all, I wish people could see Odessa, TX, and its' people for what they REALLY are.
When I step back from those feelings, I see an excellent film that could be considered one of the greats. Friday Night Lights will evoke a wide range of emotions, from laughter to tears, from intensity to relief, and from victory to defeat.