Metacritic reviews

A true story, feel-good parable and a respectable, uplifting descendent of "To Sir, With Love" and "Lean On Me."

Unfortunately, the accompanying story threads tend to bog down the action rather than provide contrast between the games.

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

Heartwarming drama.

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

The corniness and predictability feel, if not quite fresh, then not so groaningly stale.

Jackson, though, does lend this earnest formula flick a core of conviction.

Coach Carter eventually curdles into a grim love letter to discipline and accountability, which makes it the perfect sports film for W.'s second term, but not a whole lot of fun.

Director Thomas Carter (no relation to Ken) relies on processed emotion and stock characters, and not even the inevitable Big Game excites us very much.

The movie's moral messages are all on target. Too bad the movie is much, much too long and Jackson gives one of his dullest performances ever.