Hoop-Tee-Doo

While Coach Carter (a recent rental) offers actor Samuel L. Jackson the chance to sink his teeth into a meaty dramatic role, something he hasn't done in quite along time, it's hardly going to go down as a "classic" sports film.

The Richmond High School basketball team is at the bottom of the division. As the film opens, the team only won four games last season. They are just another reason that Richmond has such a bad reputation. After the team's head coach quits, Ken Carter (Jackson) accepts the job for very little money guarantees that he will put in some long hours. But he is more than ready, because he believes he can help his boys break the cycle of despair that they find themselves in and offer them a better future. Carter is himself a Richmond alum, boasting school records that have not been broken in over twenty years, and knows that it can be done. The squad is not impressed and quickly resist his strict formula for success. In order to play for him, each student must sign a contract that demands academic standards that are beyond the state's extracurricular GPA mandate as well as a slew of other guidelines. Carter's son Damien, (Robert Ri'chard) is so motivated to play for his father, that he withdraws from the top prep school that he attends to go to Richmond. Carter's unorthodox methods are soon put to the test as pressure from parents, players and the school board mount.

Based on the true story of Ken Carter and his team that made national news in 1999, writers Mark Schwahn and John Gatins do an OK job with story. However, some of the subplots of the players appeared padded, as opposed to anything natural. They just came across as filler in the way director Thomas Carter structured the film. The B-Ball footage looks good though As Carter, Jackson is finally allowed to"act" here, and makes the most of it--glad to see him in a non action role now and then. Rob Brown (Finding Forrester) and Rick Gonzales (War Of The Worlds 2005) help to populate the student roster make the most of it too. Still I felt as though the film could have been better overall.

The DVD extras include two featurettes. "Coach Carter: The Man Behind the Movie" introduces us to the man behind the movie, featuring interviews with the real Ken Carter, his son, and a few of the Richmond players, and Jackson. "Fast Break at Richmond High" follows the casting process and the intention to use real ball players. Six wisely cut deleted scenes and a music video for Twista and Faith Evans song "Hope" from the soundtrack top off the disc.

Not bad. But where's the Ken Carter commentary? Fans of Jackson's should see this Sports movie fans may be disappointed.