Forget the Titans.

Rating: 3/10 (25 November 2015)

Remember the Titans (2000): Dir: Boaz Yakin / Cast: Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Ryan Hurst, Kip Pardue, Ryan Hurst: True story set in 1971 that recycles a plot that has been done millions of times since The Bad News Bears. Title refers to reflection upon something great, which isn't this film. The theme is racism where two schools will blend the whites and the blacks and the community is hostile towards it. Denzel Washington moves into the community from North Carolina to coach football. Numerous players threaten to quit because their current coach may be leaving. Predictable elements occur such as fights over race as well as Washington winning everybody over and gaining respect. Directed by Boaz Yakin who, despite having the true story element, does not have a screenplay that inspires anything but sympathy. Washington is a tremendous actor but he is basically wading through clichés and story structure done a hundred times over. That means that he is merely reciting what others having done either better or worse than him. Flat supporting roles by Will Patton, Ryan Hurst and Kip Pardue, and a host of other actors who are led to believe that this sh*t is special because it is a sports film starring Denzel. Patton in particular plays that uptight coach uneasily impressed. Strong themes of sportsmanship, friendship, endurance, honor, exposing racism, and Xeroxed storytelling. Score: 3 / 10