[REVIEW] Coach Carter **Spoliers**

Nizofoshizo · 05-14-07, 09:04

Coach Carter

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Just to clear this up, we’ve seen this before, the down and out team that overcomes the odds and rises to the top of their game, however I see Coach Carter in a very different light. Underneath the Saved by the Bell nonsense there is a strong message that I think everyone can relate to in some way. The film, based on the true story of the controversial high-school basketball coach Ken Carter, “Coach Carter” brings more than just a teen hip-hop film but a story and a film that could stand the test of time. Samuel L Jackson is fantastic as ever and the young supporting cast filled their roles perfectly. Although I think the major strength of the film lies with the clever script and how closely it follows the real story.

Ken Carter (Jackson) was a two sport all American who grew up in the rough town of Richmond, CA. He attended Richmond High School and holds pretty much every Basketball record the school has. Three decades later and the town is even rougher and the school’s basketball team that he was once a proud member of is now the worst team in the conference. Reluctantly Carter takes the job of head basketball coach and hands out a rigorous training regime that places huge demands on both the body and the mind of the players. Carter’s confidence inspires the team and he goes as far to say that they will win if they follow his lead. In order to get the best out of the team both on and off the court he asks them all to sign a contract that states they must keep to certain GPA’s etc.

There turns out to be trouble in paradise when Carter learns that the team isn’t keeping up with their side of the deal by working hard in the classroom. Carter then takes matters into his own hands and locks down the gym, canceling all practices and games until the players reach the desired GPA’s that Carter set out at the beginning of the season. The entire community speaks out against this drastic action and vote to end the lock out, however it seemed that Carter’s message hit home and despite the gym being unlocked, the team carries on studying.

The team as a whole aren’t bad basketball players but it is the other issues that are most important in my opinion. Kenyon (Rob Brown) feels that his pregnant girlfriend is holding him back (Ashanti), Timo Cruz (Rick Gonzalez) is living dangerously with his drug-dealing cousin and Carter’s own son Damien (Robert Ri’chard) just wants his Dad to coach him, even if that means leaving the great educational facility that is St. Francis.

In the end however Carter “saves” the team and every senior from the team graduated, six of which went to college and five that received basketball scholarships to schools all across California.
The film isn’t without its flaws and the long runtime of the film could put possible viewers off. Still, the film is still one of the best films of the genre and deserves its place alongside the classic films such as “Dangerous Minds” and “Hoosiers”.

My first attempt at a review

Stephanie2377 · 05-16-07, 11:22

Great review!!! You did a very thorough job. I was interested in seeing the movie, and now I am even MORE interested!

I did love "Dangerous Minds" and "Hoosiers". I am thinking that Coach Carter would be a good one to see.

I love that it is based on a true story, and Samuel L. Jackson always plays incredible roles.

Nizofoshizo · 05-16-07, 14:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephanie2377

Great review!!! You did a very thorough job. I was interested in seeing the movie, and now I am even MORE interested!

I did love "Dangerous Minds" and "Hoosiers". I am thinking that Coach Carter would be a good one to see.

I love that it is based on a true story, and Samuel L. Jackson always plays incredible roles.

I haven't actually seen Hoosiers

but I always hear people talking about it and I needed a good way to close the review

Oh and thanks, I'll look into writing some more once my exams are finished.

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