Review of Sports Movie: Remember the Titans

When I think of brilliant sports movies, Remember the Titans definitely tops the list. Besides having many remarkable football scenes, the story behind the characters and their team is stirring. You see the segregation slowly dissipate, and the team begins to not only accept each other as being diverse, but they learn to love each other as brothers, friends, and teammates. Before long, the whole town, once opposed to integration, begins to open both their eyes and their hearts, accepting their neighbors for who they were instead of the color of their skin.

It's 1971 in Alexandria, Virginia, and thriving head coach Bill Yoast, played by Will Patton, has been robbed of the head coaching job at the newly integrated T.C. Williams High School to make way for equally successful black coach Herman Boone, played by Denzel Washington. Yoast debates chasing opportunities elsewhere, but when most of his white players vow to sit out unless he stays and coaches, he accepts the position as Boone's assistant.

Through Boone's vigorous training camp, and the arduous season ahead of them, Boone and Yoast's black and white players learn to accept each other, work together, and that football knows no race. As they learn from each other, Boone and Yoast also learn from them, and in turn, the whole town learns from the team, the Titans. They are primed to pursue the State Championship and to deal with the unimaginable tragedy that threatens to deteriorate their perfect season. Remember the Titans is touching, uplifting, inspiring, motivating, and triumphant. It will make you cry at some parts, laugh at other parts, and cheer out loud from your seat.

Also starring Wood Harris as Julius Campbell, Ryan Hurst as Gerry Bertier, Hayden Panettiere as little Sheryl Yoast, Kate Bosworth as Emma Hoyt, Ryan Gosling as Alan Bosley, Kip Pardue as Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass, Donald Faison as Petey Jones, Craig Kirkwood as Jerry "Rev" Harris, Ethan Suplee as Louie Lastik, and Burgess Jenkins as Ray Budds. Released September 29, 2000, Remember the Titans was written by Gregory Allen Howard, directed by Boaz Yakin, and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, so you know this movie is being piloted by some of the most superlative talent in Hollywood.