GLORY ROAD — ** 1/2 — Josh Lucas, Emily Deschanel, Derek Luke; rated PG (racial epithets, violence, vulgarity, mild profanity, brief drugs).

Similarities between "Glory Road" and "Remember the Titans" (2000) are purely intentional.

After all, both films deal with similar themes — including a discussion of how team sports helped break down some of this country's racial barriers.

Both films also come from mega-producer Jerry Bruckheimer and were released by Walt Disney Pictures, the studio that gave us those other formulaic, feel-good sports dramas, "The Rookie" (2002) and "Miracle" (2004).

Frankly, that formula has become overly familiar and even a little worn-out, and this particular film is not quite up to the standards of the others. Also, the movie's PG rating is a little questionable, since "Glory Road" contains some upsetting material (specifically, prevalent use of racial slurs and some racially motivated violence).

"Glory Road" is based on the true story of coach Don Haskins, who led his 1966 Texas Western men's team to the NCAA Basketball Championships in his first year there. Prior to that, Haskins had coached a women's high school team, and he eagerly took the job at the cash-strapped Texas mining and agricultural school (which eventually became the University of Texas El-Paso).

Josh Lucas plays Haskins in this fictionalized version, which depicts his efforts to win with a team featuring a predominantly black starting lineup. Unfortunately, he and his players encounter bigotry — some of it from members of the community, and even more from their opponents. In spite of that, the team continues to rack up wins and seems destined for a championship.

Curiously, there's no mention in the film of the University of Utah team, which played Texas Western in a semifinal game. Also, the scene assembly here is a bit jumbled, leaving the film feeling episodic, and as a result the material doesn't have the punch it should have.

Still, there is some well-timed humor, and director James Gartner (a former Utahn) does a good job of staging the game scenes. It also helps that he has the always watchable Lucas as his star.

The supporting cast is also very good, particularly Emily Deschanel (TV's "Bones"), who plays Haskins' understanding wife, and Derek Luke ("Antwone Fisher"), as one of his star players.

However, Jon Voight looks ridiculous wearing a phony-looking nose appliance in his brief turn as legendary University of Kentucky basketball coach Adolph Rupp.

"Glory Road" is rated PG for use of racial epithets and slurs, a few scenes of violence (sports-related, as well as a racially motivated attack), some mildly vulgar sex talk and innuendo, scattered use of mild profanity (religiously based), and some brief drug content (references). Running time: 116 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com