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Coach Carter (12A)
The plot: The true story of a hard nut basketball coach who makes his team of no-hopers clean up their acts on and off the court…
The verdict: Some things in this world never change. David Walliams continues to pull. Wayne Rooney's girlfriend continues to shop. And Jodie Marsh continues to be orange. There's no point in asking why - these things just happen.
In the same way, Hollywood continues to make movies about rubbish sports teams who decide to pull their trousers up and get good. What's more, they continue to do it about that holy trinity of impenetrable sports - baseball, American football and basketball - without giving a toss about whether anyone else actually understands the rules.
Coach Carter fits all these clichés, yet with the simple addition of an appealing star, Samuel L Jackson, actually ends up being entertaining despite the familiarity.
It's all down to Samuel L. As real life high-school coach Ken Carter, he's not a man to suffer homeboys gladly. Teaching them to respect themselves and knuckle down to their studies, as well as a few sweet basketball moves, Carter is a single-minded tough b******.
It's hardly a stretch for Jackson as Carter is never anything but completely confident, but if you're gonna watch someone go through the motions, it might as well be a badass legend.
A slick R n B soundtrack also accompanies the proceedings - as does an impressive turn from Ashanti - so even whilst the stereotypes are being ladled out, there's some great beats to enjoy.
Without Sam, this'd be nothing much. But fans of The Coolest Man In Hollywood ™ will want to check him out despite the corniness, for proof that he can actually make any old tat watchable.
Rating: B
imdb.com - Coach Carter
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