Critic Reviews
Coach Carter (2005) Rank 3 Reviews
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based on (218) reviews
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San Francisco Chronicle (Carla Meyer)
Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)
Sammy L. turns this conventional schoolteacher flick into The Jackson Show, and it's all the better for it. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Movie Gazette (Gary Panton)
Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
Winning in here is the key to winning out there. - Richmond High Oilers Head Coach Ken Carter Having the courage of one's convictions – and acting upon them – is a rare commodity in the world today. Making substantive change is nearly ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Film Threat, Hollywood's Indie Voice
IGN Movies (Larry Carroll)
Inspirational, entertaining and gripping. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at IGN Movies (Larry Carroll)
Movie Marshal (--)
DVD Review e-zine
Nehring The Edge
The Boston Phoenix
Village Voice (David Blaylock)
DVD Times (Daniel Stephens)
dvdfuture.com (Randy Spiros)
JackassCritics.com (Cinema Guru Boy)
ninth symphony films
Boston Herald (Stephen Schaefer)
South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Tracy Allerton)
Samuel L. Jackson, who has pretty much been swaggering through recent roles, straightens up and brings a steely, dignified strength to the title role. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Tracy Allerton)
Empire Magazine [UK]
On paper a routine sports yarn. On screen, thanks to Jackson refusing to phone it in, far more satisfying than you might expect. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Empire Magazine [UK]
Philadelphia Inquirer
When you hear the expression "textbook game," think of Ken Carter, the high school basketball coach who believes that student-athletes are scholars first and jocks second. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer
The Sydney Morning Herald
This is a film inspired by the real-life heroics of basketball coach Ken Carter, who made national news by benching his entire squad for academic ineligibility. The film starts with Carter (Samuel L Jackson) being offered the basketball job from his old ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at The Sydney Morning Herald
Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)
The cast does its job, but the overly familiar screenplay is a problem. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Reno Gazette-Journal (Forrest Hartman)
Entertain Your Brain! - Review
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Ed Blank)
It's curious how movies, in the course of telling stories that undoubtedly have unique components, homogenize them.
"Coach Carter" is the true story, so to speak, of the 1998-99 Oilers basketball season at Richmond (Calif.) High School, just ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Ed Blank)
Harvey S. Karten
"Coach Carter" is better than it should be, mostly a retread of just about every sports movie from "The Babe Ruth Story" through "Waterboy" and beyond. You won't find the wit or special charm of Bernie Mac's performance in "Mr 3000," but here it is only ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Harvey S. Karten
Michael Dequina
But then it could be argued that the hoops action is almost incidental in this factbased story, for the title character, Richmond High School (though actually filmed at my alma mater, Long Beach Polytechnic High School, which somehow became the goto ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Michael Dequina
DVD Clinic ("Quigles")
In the poor area of Richmond, California, Ken Carter takes charge as a basketball coach, and fights his way to transform a team of rowdy boys into a team of accomplished men. Based on a true story. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at DVD Clinic ("Quigles")
One Guy's Opinion (Frank Swietek)
Steve Rhodes
As you'll no doubt guess, the kids will eventually rise to the occasion after many false starts. The biggest surprise comes when the coach finds his rules are being systematically violated by most of the team. In the hopes that you haven't heard the ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Steve Rhodes
Bullz-Eye.com
Ultimately, Coach Carter was the one man that saved these guys from becoming another statistic. In a school system that graduates less than 50% of its students annually, and where about one student per classroom goes on to secondary education, every ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Bullz-Eye.com
ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Enjoyable, well made drama that manages to avoid some of the usual clichés and features a terrific performance from Samuel L. Jackson.Coach Carter is "inspired by" the true story of high school coach Ken Carter, who made headlines by benching his ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
UpcomingDiscs.com (Brendan Surpless)
There are way too many problems with COACH CARTER to call it great, but it certainly has its heart in the right place at the right time. The very first immediate problem is the script of the film. A lot of the dialogue feels like it has been overly ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at UpcomingDiscs.com (Brendan Surpless)
Tony Medley
Throughout the film Kyra is
pregnant. I didn't like the fact that two black high school students had
conceived an out of wedlock baby and that they just took it matter of
factly. But what really got my goat was when Kyra ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Tony Medley
Newsday (John Anderson)
For all Coach Carter's moralizing, it is an eminently palatable drama, and Samuel L. Jackson -- who has certainly been known to take nobility to the nth degree -- is first-rate as Carter. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Newsday (John Anderson)
Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
A rather exceptionally counter-cultural "teen movie"...raises authentic youth concerns and answers them with convincing integrity. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Groucho Reviews (Peter Canavese)
DVD Talk (Scott Weinberg)
OK, so it's not about to win any points for originality, but Coach Carter does have one thing that other basketball movies do not: Sam Jackson. I mean, hell, didn't they make pretty much the exact same movie a few years back -- with Rhea Perlman as the ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at DVD Talk (Scott Weinberg)
Baltimore Sun (--)
Empire Magazine [UK]
On paper a routine sports yarn. On screen, thanks to Jackson refusing to phone it in, far more satisfying than you might expect. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Empire Magazine [UK]
ShowBIZ Data
Critics have a name for movies like Coach Carter, A.O. Scott in the New York Times indicates. It's the "inspirational coach drama," and they pretty much follow the same formula. "It's amazing how many games are decided by a dramatic shot at the final ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at ShowBIZ Data
The Movie Chicks
Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) played high school basketball in Richmond, California, and made All-American. Years later, he agrees to come back to his old school and coach the failing basketball program, but only if he gets to do things his way. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at The Movie Chicks
San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
With the possible exception of Tommy Lee Jones, no one is better suited to dish out stone-faced, my-way-or-the-highway discipline than Jackson. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at San Antonio Express-News (Larry Ratliff)
Sacramento Bee (Dixie Reid)
Nobody gives a more powerful locker room speech than Samuel L. Jackson, while decked out in spiffy suits and flashy neckties. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Sacramento Bee (Dixie Reid)
Newark Star-Ledger (Lisa Rose)
The movie may consist of formulaic elements, but it excels on the strength of its cast and the sincerity of its message. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Newark Star-Ledger (Lisa Rose)
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
With his steely, don't-mess-with-me aura, Jackson is ideally cast as Carter. When he blows his whistle and demands that everyone do wind sprints, you might think he means you, too. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
Capital Times (Madison, WI) (Rob Thomas)
Aside from maybe "Friday Night Lights," I can't think of another recent sports movie that dared to suggest athletic achievement isn't a worthy goal in and of itself. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Capital Times (Madison, WI) (Rob Thomas)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Samuel L. Jackson made news last week by refusing to co-star with 50 Cent in a movie based on the rapper's life. He not only refused, but did it publicly, even though the film is to be ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Bob Townsend)
Thank goodness then for go-to guy Jackson. He takes what could have been a cardboard cliche role and puts flesh on it with his flamboyant intelligence. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Bob Townsend)
WaffleMovies.com (Willie Waffle)
very good film with the kind of message people need to hear more often, especially teens and spoiled athletes (maybe Randy Moss and Shaun Alexander could see the movie). ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at WaffleMovies.com (Willie Waffle)
New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)
By the time you leave, Jackson will have you believing that his Coach Carter is a true original. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at New York Daily News (Elizabeth Weitzman)
Dallas Morning News (Philip Wuntch)
Coach Carter will be greeted with reviews that overflow with sports metaphors. Let's just say that the movie scores solidly. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Dallas Morning News (Philip Wuntch)
Parent Previews
Based on a true story, Coach Carter is a good reality check for teens (and some parents). With only miniscule numbers of high school athletes making it to the big leagues, emphasizing the student part of student-athlete may be the best ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Parent Previews
Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)
Fairly standard sports-movie fare but well-acted, suitably gritty, lightly comic in the right places and sweet without being saccharine. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Contra Costa Times (Mary F. Pols)
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
Jackson's ... fire-and-brimstone delivery adds a much-needed edge to the inspirational cliches. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
In this film, basketball is not a metaphor; it's a hard-played game that requires skill, conditioning, intelligence and effective teamwork. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
Christianity Today (Mark Moring)
Its main flaws are an overabundance of sports-movie clichés and hackneyed phrases, but at least the final game doesn't have a predictable ending; I'll give it that much. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Christianity Today (Mark Moring)
Entertainment Spectrum (Vince Koehler)
Put this movie on your must see list and enjoy a truly uplifting sports story. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Entertainment Spectrum (Vince Koehler)
filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)
Even those unfamiliar with real-life high school basketball coach Ken Carter might find familiar elements in the inspirational drama based on his achievements. After all, how many different ways can you tell the story of a coach who inherits a team torn ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at filmcritic.com (Sean O'Connell)
Palo Alto Weekly (Tyler Hanley)
A cinematic slam-dunk. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Palo Alto Weekly (Tyler Hanley)
Palo Alto Online (Tyler Hanley)
Rich Gonzalez, Robert Ri'Chard, Antwon Tanner, Samuel L. Jackson and Nana Gbewonyo in Coach CarterHigh school basketball gets the Friday Night Lights treatment with this character-driven portrayal of the 1999 Richmond, Calif., team and its controversial ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Palo Alto Online (Tyler Hanley)
Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
The strength of Jackson's performance overcomes the one-dimensionality and formulaic nature of the script. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Movie Parables (Michael Elliott)
Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)
There's no small pleasure in seeing a well-worn tale told with class and style. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Mr. Brown's Movies (Michael Dequina)
Reel.com
An earnest inspirational drama that mostly transcends its formulaic trappings, thanks to Samuel L. Jackson's commanding performance, Coach Carter has crowd-pleaser written all over it. This fact-based story about a high school basketball coach's ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Reel.com
Denver Rocky Mountain News (Robert Denerstein)
No arguing with the message: The movie's eager to tell its audience (especially young viewers) that there's life beyond a basketball court, and they ought to prepare for it. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Denver Rocky Mountain News (Robert Denerstein)
DVD-Dweeb.Com (Oliver Korioth)
Blogcritics - DVD review (Matt Paprocki)
Film Blather (Eugene Novikov)
Reviewguy Online (Sean Chandler)
Tiscali UK
There's little original about Coach Carter. The story of an inspirational schoolteacher who elevates his underachieving pupils to hitherto undreamed of heights has been told many times before in such films as Dead Poets Society, Dangerous Minds and, more ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Tiscali UK
Reel Movie Critic (George & Pam Singleton)
Inspired by the true story of Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson), a high school basketball coach in the tough San Francisco suburb of Richmond, this film captures the spirit too many communities in this country. A place where too many kids are preparing to ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Reel Movie Critic (George & Pam Singleton)
The Flick Filosopher (MaryAnn Johanson)
JaxMovies (Sean Conover)
London Times (James Christopher)
3 Black Chicks ("The Diva")
The Z Review (Chris Wood)
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
3 Black Chicks ("The Diva")
digitallyOBSESSED.com (Nate Meyers)
Christian Spotlight on the Movies
DVD Town (Justin Cleveland)
Premiere Magazine (Sara Brady)
The Cranky Critic (Chuck Schwartz)
The Red Right Hand (Matt Stogdon)
I've got to say this before we kick this review into motion: I am not a basketball fan, I took a stab at it in high school and got trounced often (which is odd because my figure denotes that I should be good at it) I've attempted to watch it on occasion ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at The Red Right Hand (Matt Stogdon)
The Trades (Jim Pappas)
Black Flix (Laurence Washington)
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Mediasearch, Australia
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
I'll admit, I have a soft spot for feel-good, inspirational sports films, but Coach Carter didn't quite have the stuff to win me over. This is a film without many surprises, going through predictable motions in the most formulaic of ways, and takes its s ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
When Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson) first arrives at Richmond high school to take over the basketball team, the retiring coach looks relieved. And if Carter doesn't quite know what he's in for, you have a slight idea, because you know the Oilers' recent ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at PopMatters (Cynthia Fuchs)
The Phantom Tollbooth
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Capable new performers surround Jackson, including young men who play a believable brand of high-flying basketball. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Slant Magazine - DVD Review
DVD Verdict (David Johnson)
MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Screen It! Entertainment Reviews for Parents
The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
The film was predestined to be generic: The writers, Mark Schwahn and John Gatins, are responsible for writing "The Perfect ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at The Land of Eric (Eric D. Snider)
Entertainment Weekly
In Coach Carter, Samuel L. Jackson plays one of those sternly compassionate inner-city teacher-demigods who have been a staple of movies for half a century, ever since Glenn Ford took over the leather-jacketed class of The Blackboard Jungle (1955). ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Entertainment Weekly
moviereview (Colin Fraser)
Close-up Film (Martyn Bamber)
Pajiba (Dustin Rowles)
The Flipcritic
Team sport movies follow a tried and true formula: (1) They present players not winning as much as they’d like; (2) employ an inspirational leader who teaches them valuable lessons about life and the sport they love; and (3) have them improve ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at The Flipcritic
Dallas Observer (Bill Gallo)
Reel Talk (Betty Jo Tucker)
Jigsaw Lounge (Neil Young)
Spirituality & Practice (Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat)
Reel.com (Tim Knight)
Reeling Reviews (Robin and Laura Clifford)
The QNetwork Film Desk (James Kendrick)
Reel.com DVD review (Tim Knight)
Zertinet Movies Review
The Onion A.V. Club
CineScene.com (Shari L. Rosenblum)
Film Freak Central
JWR (S. James Wegg)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
Coach Carter's drive to be "beyond basketball" is so urgent, the film is less like the controversial, reallife episode it's based on and more like what can happen to good material in the hands of an average filmmaker.Ken Carter is a businessman who ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Steve Rhodes <Steve.Rhodes@internetreviews.com>
Three Movie Buffs (Scott Nash)
Despite the bluntness of its weapons, Coach Carter does manage to inspire, aided by the fact that it's based on a true story. ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Three Movie Buffs (Scott Nash)
Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Everyday, in quiet unsung ways, quality people risk their own sanity and comfort to help others improve themselves. These people expand their lives with greater struggles, but also greater rewards. Usually their accomplishments, their positive ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Hollywood Report Card (Ross Anthony)
Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
A relatively new dramatic subgenre that emerged in the late 1980s as a feel-good antidote to media stories and films about existential despair in the 'hood, inspirational coach/teacher films are almost always based on a true story (if it they were made ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Q Network Film Desk (James Kendrick)
MovieFreak.com (Steve Tradd)
The movie is based on the incredible true story of Coach Ken Carter and his team of misfits turned basketball stars. We are introduced to the poverty stricken Richmond high school in Richmond, California. Right away it is obvious that this is a place ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at MovieFreak.com (Steve Tradd)
Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
Sports movies are, in their nature, formulaic. I can usually deal with this, but by the end of Coach Carter, which is, surely enough, "based on true events," my patience had worn thin and I was about ready to smack myself across the face. It is really a ...read the complete Coach Carter movie review at Bucket Reviews (Danny Baldwin)
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