Coach Carter Critic Reviews

This entry in a rather stale genre deserves to be put at the head of the class.Read the full review

Jackson has the usual big speeches assigned to all coaches in all sports movies, and delivers on them, big time. His passion makes familiar scenes feel new.Read the full review

Covers every cliche in the Hollywood sports movie playbook, but it also makes the routine much more enjoyable than you'd expect.Read the full review

Both an inspirational sports movie and an unexpected multi-level urban drama that plays by its own clock.Read the full review

Who's it for? How do you put this message across without it seeming medicinal? Sure, MTV is among the movie's producers, but what 11th grader wants to spend a Friday night being hit with such a blunt instrument?Read the full review

This may be the coach's story, but to the extent that Coach Carter is interesting rather than merely inspirational, it's because of the team.Read the full review

A smart entertainment that trades on Mr. Jackson's forceful presence, a cast of extremely likable young actors and lots of basketball action.Read the full review

Thanks mainly to his (Jackson) considerable presence, Coach Carter works more effectively than expected.Read the full review

Jackson, though, does lend this earnest formula flick a core of conviction.Read the full review