Tanya Batson-Savage, Freelance Writer

Xzibit (left) and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson star in the movie 'Gridiron Gang'. - Contributed

Gridiron Gang is a solidly created motivational movie that comes in the increasing long line of movies that celebrate how wonderful sports are. So, the film presents a good helping of emotion combined with the rush of hard-hitting contact sports.

Directed by Phil Janou and written by Jeff Maguire, Gridiron Gang is based on the happenings at Camp Kilpatrick a correctional facility for boys. It chronicles the events which follow when in an attempt to stem the cyclical violence in which the boys live, one counsellor, Sean Porter, decides to create a football team.

He creates the team in an attempt to harness the boys' energy and teach them discipline. Porter hopes that giving the boys contact with the Gridiron will help them become men who can steer their lives from the violent path it is on and find a new direction.

The cast is led by The Rock (as Porter), who is clearly trying to shed some of his wrestling stardom past, and start to cook a whole different kind of stew. He starts by an attempt to revert to his birth name, Dwayne Johnson. Additionally, though the role has much in common with his initial hard-hitting entries into film, it takes him out of direct physical contact so he can ease his way into the possibility or more dramatic roles.

Johnson's co-star is another of the acting crossovers, this time from rap, Xzibit. Xzibit plays Malcolm Moore another of the camp's counsellor and therefore later, assistant coach. The rest of the cast is largely fielded by unknown's including Jurnee Smollett, who is becoming quite the 'That Girl From That Show' stacking numerous minor roles beneath her belt.

Emotional pull

Gridiron Gang tries to go hard for the emotional pull and sometimes it went too hard, too early in the game. As a result it often turned out to be a little preachy, which of course weakened its overall strength.

It also doesn't help that Friday Night Lights, Remember the Titans, Coach Carter, and Glory Road all came before it, all of which handled their respective issues with more punch and flair. Yet where Gridiron Gang differs is that it directly tackles the issue of urban violence.

This is particularly important in a world which uses pop culture to encourage the 'bwoi-ification' of young men, especially young black men whose only contact with power comes through violence. In this way, Gridiron Gang somewhat separates itself from its predecessors which allows it to shine a little better.

Additionally, the end in many ways helps to make up for some of the drag which occurs in the middle as Janou's direction sometimes results in some visually captivating moments.

And eventually, it is capable of inspiring some hope, which allows it to succeed in its aims. So, Gridiron Gang might not soar, but it is a solid movie.