While one would expect the usual bang-em up, blow-em up effects from Jerry Bruckheimer, you won’t get any of that here, except for perhaps some trampled/exploding emotions. This is no “Armaggedon” nor is it this summer’s “Gone In Sixty Seconds”. Instead it’s more like Bruckheimer’s babes in bar celebration “Coyote Ugly,” but with men in locker rooms. And, with Oscar written all over it. Bruckheimer should continue a career of personal stories instead of action flicks. (Remember “Fame?”) Denzel Washington (last off “The Hurricane”) stars in this true story that follows the explosive dramatic events that took place in Alexandria, Virginia in 1971 when African-American football coach Herman Boone (Academy Award winning Washington) was hired to guide an integrated but racially polarized high school team — the T.C. Williams titans. Angry, stubborn and a rigid task master, Boone faces a cool reception from the team’s players as well as an awkward relationship with assistant star coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton.) The story is about two men overcoming ignorance and bigotry and realizing that beneath skin colors they share integrity, honor and strength. It’s an Oscar level “Full Monty” as they transform these unfocused players into a dynamic winning team that will have you cheering with Superbowl passion! There’s a statement “The people united, will never be defeated” and in this, the audience will feel just that.
