Fourth out of four, also known as last place....

Rating: 8/10 (4 October 2015)

Track coach Jim White is a newcomer to a predominantly Latino high-school in California's Central Valley.
Coach White and his new students find that they have much to learn about one another, but things begin to change when White realises the boys' exceptional running ability.
More than just physical prowess drives the teens to succeed. Their strong family ties, incredible work ethic and commitment to their team all play a factor in forging these novice runners into champions.......
Sports movies featuring Kevin Costner are the cinematic equivalent of Cheese on Toast. You've had it before, numerous times, and you know what exactly what you are going to get. But too much of the stuff isn't too good for you.
I'm a big Kevin Costner champion, he's always been a big screen presence, and even though he's had his shortcomings (The Postman was almost career suicide, but WaterWorld was not, I repeat, was not a flop) he still makes an ordinary film that little bit more extraordinary, because he just has that effortless class about him.
As you'd expect, the films narrative is as predictable as day turns to night.
White joins a school that isn't the best in the world. He sees potential in a few students, and learns of their hardship, he forms a cross country team, much to the frustration of family, colleagues. They get mocked by the river, better school, and fail their first attempt.
Them there is a big montage, the voice of the group has a hissy fit, goes home and fights with his family. Costner bumps into him, they a have a conversation, and you know what? he rejoins the team and they do much better, and decide to have a party. After all the people Costner was alienated against at first have formed a big bond with him and his family, and all is well.
But then something happens, Costner loses faith and then it's his turn to have a conversation with the student. You can pretty much guess the rest.
It's a safe film for sure. The true story of a struggling group of sports people has been done to death, from Cool Runnings to Remember The Titans, it's a paint by numbers narrative that hasn't, and probably never will be be changed.
Because it always works.
Costner is fantastic as always, and although it will disappear without a trace, it's one of those films that will appear on TV one Sunday afternoon, you will come across it halfway through, watch it, and know exactly what has happened, and what will happen within a couple of minutes.
It's uplifting stuff, without being too sugar coated, and you get the obligatory clip of the real life people at the end, just in case there are a few doubters in the audience.
Another safe family film from Disney.
I 'lapped' it up.