Studio: Paramount Pictures

Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, Ashanti
Directed By: Thomas Carter

Running Time: 136 minutes
Ratings: Canada - PG, USA - PG-13, UK - 12

Back Cover

Based on an incredible true story, Coach Carter is the inspirational account of controversial basketball coach Ken Carter (Academy Award nominee SAMUEL L. JACKSON), who received both high praise and staunch criticism when he made national news for a gymnasium “lockout” of his entire undefeated team for poor academic performance.

With the players, the parents, and the community rallying to get the team back on the court, Carter must overcome the obstacles of his environment and show the young men a future that stretches beyond gangs, drugs, prison and even basketball.

Co-starring pop-music icon ASHANTI, “Coach Carter will have you on your feet cheering for more.” - Earl Dittman, Wireless Magazines

Movie

Coach Carter Blu-ray Although I cannot entirely agree with the review quote used as the final text in the description on the back cover of the case, there is certainly no denying the hyberbolized intention behind it.

Coach Carter came as a happy surprise for this reviewer. Samuel L. Jackson has always been a pleasure to watch on the big screen. His unique “force” always brings flavour to an otherwise straight forward scenario. And, being the biggest draw factor within this film, he gets a chance to step out of his typecast comfort zone to bring something heartfelt and real into our living rooms. Based on a true story, his character has the mind to see beyond the simplistic nature of sport as entertainment. He wholeheartedly believes that sport is a method through which boys can learn much deeper life skills which will ultimately define them as upstanding and virtuous men. And Samuel L. Jackson is a bright shining beacon within the role of coach Carter to help these children see the bright light of a future that is, unbeknownst to them at first, still unwritten. The choices he has made as an actor in this role are very powerful and compelling to witness. His madness always serves a purpose and always has method behind it. And, what is a great performance without an equally great supporting cast to back it up? All of the young people in the film stand out on their own as individuals faced with personal obstacles which they don’t see themselves overcoming. And, subsequently, each manage to grow through the problems to become better human beings. The ease with which that growth and transition is presented is something that each of those performers should be proud of.

As for the story of the film? Yes, some will say that it feels riddled with cliches and its structural foundation has been mostly rehashed. However, one of its most unique qualities is its ability to tell a sports story whose most profound victory takes place off of the playing field. The fact that the film is based on truth manages to keep it compelling well beyond its limitations. And, director Thomas Carter has made certain that the performance nuances are kept at the forefront of the storytelling. That is the glue that ultimately holds this production together.

All that remains to be said without getting into plot details is that Coach Carter is compelling enough to merit a viewing. Let the viewers judge for themselves if their heartstrings can be plucked ever so gently as mine were. I even welled up at a couple of different moments where my belief in the power of human spirit and human integrity were stimulated. It may not make you stand up and cheer for more. But, it will certainly leave you with a good feeling.

Crave Factor - 8

Extras

Coach Carter: The Man Behind The Movie (19:41) - The real Ken Carter and his players that first year, on whom the film is based, all get a chance to tell the details of their stories. Nothing you see in this extra feature can’t be discovered within the context of the film presentation. However, it is nice to see and hear the real people say the words.

Fast Break At Richmond High (11:40) - This feature focus’ on the preparation and application of choreographing the basketball game sequences. With over 70 plays to shoot, it becomes clearly evident how much work was needed for accuracy and success.

Deleted Scenes (12:10 as ‘Play All‘) - Each scene included here stands well on its own. However, in this reviewer’s opinion, all but one belong on the cutting room floor. The one scene of which I speak is where one of the team members is welcomed back by the team after having betrayed them all by leaving the team after they had all sacrificed for him in the past.

Hope: Music Video By Twista Feat. Faith Evans (4:26) - A reasonably catchy tune by a man who can say many rhyming words in rapid succession and a woman who is very easy on the eyes. Not my style of music, but fitting to the themes inherent within the film.

Writing Coach Carter: The Two Man Game (8:25) - Interviews with the writers that enlightens the viewer to the intentions of taking certain liberties and poetic licence with certain elements of the characters and stories.

Coach Carter: Making The Cut (18:22) - Discussion of this feature focuses on the casting and characters. You learn why the characters were written the way they had been and why the actors were selected for the roles.

Crave Factor - 7

Video

2.40:1 Widescreen / AVC

Being one of the early Blu-ray catalog titles released, Paramount has managed to produce a very impressive video transfer with Coach Carter. There was no real moment of discernable visual trouble throughout the film. Skin tones and jersey colours remain vibrant and lush from the first frame to the last. A very fine image grain is ever present during playback, but is forgivingly consistent. This gives the overall presentation a slightly soft feel without the image actually appearing soft. Black levels are very well represented as night scenes show more than an acceptable amount of depth. This transfer will look great to anyone interested in watching it.

Crave Factor - 9

Audio

5.1 Dolby TrueHD

The audio presentation of this film is very front heavy throughout most of its narrative. Since it is mostly dialogue driven, the plot does not often have too many opportunities for environment effects. However, that dialogue is always clear and consistently presented. When the surround spectrum does get to be activated, there is also never a reason to complain. During any scene with a crowd, the mix has been mixed with surround satellites in mind. Basketball games also offer a number of moments where it sounds like the viewer could be standing in the middle of the action. The only fault that I could find with this TrueHD track lies in the depth of the spectrum presented. Although everything can be heard clearly, the track holds back in the extent of treble and bass presented throughout. It is a scenario which I encounter repeatedly with the TrueHD codec which leaves the film sounding a little bit flat. It will fill the viewing area with sound, but it doesn’t necessarily manage to breathe a realistic kick into that sound.

Crave Factor - 7

The disc main menu is a solid presentation. The layout is of a school blackboard. Along the outer edges of the blackboard are chalk drawn animations and chalk drawn basketball court drill animations. In the centre of the blackboard a moving chalk drawn frame is created around a montage of silent clips from the film while a short selection of the score is overheard. Menu options are spread out horizontally along the bottom of the screen in a black bar with stylized font. Subsequent menus flow in and out of view smoothly to add a feel of symbiosis to the interaction.

The playback menu functions exactly as it’s presented on the disc menu.

Crave Factor - 7

Conclusion

Coach Carter comes to Blu-ray with a modest amount of success in the quality department. The film is definitely worth checking out regardless of which format is chosen by the viewer. However, the Blu-ray video transfer receives a resounding top honours award as it is nearly perfect. And that says a lot considering that it was released fairly early within the format’s lifespan. The audio quality may not be fantastic, but it manages to push itself into the “above average” category. As for bonus material? There isn’t much to offer in the way of expanding the film experience aside from getting to see the faces and hear the voices of those who were directly involved with the true events that transpired in Richmond that fateful year. I highly recommend at least a viewing of the film. Adding this Blu-ray to one’s collection will be a subjective decision unique to each person that gives it a chance. I will be happy to add one of Samuel L. Jackson’s more poignant performances to my shelf.