January is typically a wasteland of unworthy movies, much like September. Not worthy enough for a holiday season release, “Coach Carter” falls somewhere in between being a glossy, over-hyped urban film and a fantastic story of value and courage. Directed by Thomas Carter, the film is based on the controversial basketball coach Ken Carter (Samuel L. Jackson), who replaced the retiring coach at his alumni California high school and turned a team into a group of winners on and off the court.

The values are reminiscent of such classic sports movies as “Hoosiers,” and the story mirrors heavily inspirational movies such as “Lean on Me,” but with even more of an urban feel, and in fact a stronger message. Coach Carter instilled a sense of work ethic on and off the court, and took the term “Student Athlete” literally; there’s a reason the word “student” comes first. But while the message is clear in the film, the music-video style of many of the scenes is what keeps it from succeeding. Don’t think that the fact that the movie is produced by MTV films isn’t painstakingly clear. Hip-hop songs punctuate the soundtrack, and while it may have helped to draw in the crowds at the theater, detracts from the quality of the overall film. A side story involving one of the players and his pregnant girlfriend is awkwardly placed in the story, and while it may have been relevant to the development of the characters, it comes off as a very in-your-face message.

Samuel L. Jackson, as usual, does a great job and commands the screen when he is present. He fits the role perfectly and rides that fine line of hard-assed coach and father figure for teenagers on the verge of adulthood. The players are a fine assembly of actors as well, and compliment each other in their awkwardness and curiosity.

Overall, however, the underlying message is clear and the story is positive and uplifting, but it falls short of being a great sports film. It’s an enjoyable movie, and if the Hip-Hop grabs more kids (teenagers) into the audience, then so be it, but it won’t stand up to the test of time.