Another Inspiring Disney Sports Film

Rating: 9/10 (29 March 2015)

There is a scene in McFARLAND, USA in which a pickup is seen driving through town with two flags perched upon it; one is American, the other is Mexican. That's what this film is all about. Like GRAN TORINO, the film is about a traditional white man with traditional beliefs who learns to explore the Mexican culture and appreciate, much like Clint Eastwood did with the Hmong culture. Kevin Costner plays the white man, Tim White (I know, but that was actually the man's name) in the true story of how he bonded with young, Mexican teenagers to create a competitive and successful high school cross country running team in one of the poorest towns in America. Costner continues the fine work he did in DRAFT DAY, and he may be even better in this one. One of the team members, named Danny, is overweight and is always the last member to finish the race. Costner encourages the young man by telling him that he is the anchor of the team and that they can't compete without him. These are the types of films that could serve as the anchor for Costner's career, bringing him into the finish line near the front instead of lagging behind. I could skip THREE DAYS TO KILL, but there is nearly no way I would skip a Costner film like DRAFT DAY or McFARLAND. And by the way, McFARLAND is the better of the two films. The movie is full of the usual Disney sport film clichés, but for everything the film does that isn't on point, it does even more right. The film is inspiring, touching, and very enjoyable from the get-go. Disney took a step backwards with MILLION DOLLAR ARM, but this one makes me reminisce of fun sports films like INVINCIBLE and GLORY ROAD that Disney has championed in the past. Films like McFARLAND really make us, the audience, feel something. That's what films are supposed to be all about. McFARLAND, USA is far from perfect, or even greatness, but it is still a very good film that satisfied my "Saturday night at the movies" craving.