Coach Carter (2005)
Paramount Home Video
Cast: Samuel L. Jackson, Rob Brown, Robert Ri’chard, Ashanti
Extras: Documentaries, Deleted Scenes, Music Video
Rating:

Based on a true story, Samuel L. Jackson plays Coach Ken Carter, a straight shooting, street smart individual who takes on the task of coaching a down-on-their-luck high school basketball team from Richmond, California. Carter sets out some pretty tough rules to help teach the young men to become more responsible and to push them academically to help them better focus on becoming true champions. While working hard to improve their game, but not taking Carter seriously, the young men continue to miss classes and avoid improving their overall grade averages forcing Carter to do the unexpected, close the gym and cancel future basketball games until the team meets or exceeds the goals that he set out for them. In the process, Carter manages to anger the players and their parents as well as causing upset among school board officials. Only after the young men realize that Carter is looking out for their best interests do they begin to truly believe in Carter’s teachings and turn their attention to improving not only their academics and game, but prove that they can meet the goal of becoming the best that they can be.

Paramount Pictures Presents ’Coach Carter’ in a stellar anamorphic widescreen presentation that is virtually free of any compression artifacts or grain. Blacks are deep and rich in depth while still preserving a good white balance providing the transfer with a wealth of detail. Colors are nicely saturated and overall skin tones appear quite natural.

The soundtrack for ’Coach Carter’ is available in Dolby Digital 5.1 and offers a great soundstage with a good balance between all channels. The lower frequency .1 channel really comes to life during the bass-heavy rap and hip hop flavored soundtrack providing a nice mix that’s sure to please.

Extras on the release include ’Coach Carter: The Man Behind the Movie’, ’Fast Break at Richmond High’ as well as deleted scenes and the music video ’Hope’ performed by Twista, featuring Faith Evans.

You don’t have to be a fan of basketball to admire the determination and drive shown by these young men as they strive to be their personal best both on and off the court.
’Coach Carter’ is a feel-good, emotionally charged film that will leave you cheering!