Coach Carter Movie Review

“Coach Carter” is a sports movie in year 2005 by director Thomas Carter. No doubt, sports movie always seem to be more interesting and drew much attention of the audience. It is even more heart wrenching when the director injects several shots of adrenaline.
The true-life story of Coach Ken Carter who tries to teach his players that academic excellence was just as important as sporting prowess is brought to the screen. The story begins to unravel when Ken Carter, once a top basketball player in Richmond High School returned to the school as a new basketball coach. As he found out that the team has been playing their awful games and fight is usually ended up in the court, he decided to make a revolution that turns the team from inner city loser into student athletes. The key word: student. He forced each of the players to sign a contract obligates them to maintain 2.3 Grade Point Average, to attend every class and sit in the front row. When it comes to discipline, Carter is ruthless as well. He asked the players to call him – ‘sir’ instead of using those rude words, and to wear ties when game on. Besides, if crossed him, it might mean 500 push-ups or even more. He emphasized conditioning and defense over offence, and it works. Everything was going well for the team had played their own games and became the winning team in most of the games, not until the players’ academic progress reports arrived.
The climax comes when Carter found out that several players failed to obtain the grade mandated in the contract. He locked down the gymnasium, cancelled the practices and games until their marks improved. You may think that their parents would embrace his deed. But no, the parents protested his action in favour of the only way their children can out of ghetto, by falling into the stereotype of either basketball player or rapper. Carter’s plan quickly became the controversy among parents and team booster, and their objections were soon picked up by the local news media, many of whom were not sympathetic to Carter’s belief that his players must have goal beyond college ball or the NBA. As a result, the gymnasium was unlocked and Carter decided to leave the school. However, his players started to truly understand him. They began to comprehend the life-skills lessons Carter had been teaching them when he analysed the graduation and prison statistics to them during one of their library session. They continued to hit the books and continue the lockout although the school board votes to end it. Finally, due to their efforts, they achieved the grade demanded by the coach and they get back to the games. Coach Carter was kind enough to prepare his players for this plan in case their hoop dreams did not materialise. Therefore, in the end, most of his players ended up in the college and their majors ranging from business to communications.

Without denying the fact, “Coach Carter” is a motivational movie. It tries to convey the message upon teenagers that education is the first step on the path to success, and it is possible to help them escape from the vicious circle of poverty and violence. Besides, the movie discloses some ever-growing burning social issues that happen frequently in our society. For instance, there is a decent-seeming young man, Kenyon who faces the challenge of teenage fatherhood after impregnating his girlfriend, Kyra. And the coach’s academic-minded son, Damien was influenced by his less studious team mates. The drug smuggling is also revealed by Cruz. At first, he was so bad to revolt against his coach. However, after the death of his close friend-Renny, he only regretted and begged forgiveness from his coach. After attaining some achievements, the players even dared enough to attend the illegal pool party without the knowledge of their coach. These social issues are jeopardised teenagers nowadays. Therefore, the director is in an attempt to make the teenagers be aware of it.

Although “Coach Carter” is considered as a sports movie, it failed to satisfy the sports fans because not much basketball games are showed in detail. And the soundtrack songs of the movie are not best-matched with the movie. Some actors are having their poor acting skills as well. One of them is Channing Tatum who portrayed the character named, Lyle but he is a very cute and handsome guy though. However, the director did a good job that the movie’s moral messages are all on target.
In conclusion, “Coach Carter” is definitely an inspirational movie and is suitable to be shared together in a class.