Remember the Titans

REMEMBER THE TITANS — *** — Denzel Washington, Will Patton, Ryan Hurst, Wood Harris, Donald Faison, Hayden Panetierre, Kip Pardue, Ethan Suplee, Craig Kirkwood, Nicole Ari Parker; rated PG (sports violence, racial epithets, mild profanity); Carmike 12 and Ritz 15 Theaters; Century Theatres 16; Cinemark Jordan Landing Theaters; Gateway 8 Cinemas; Loews Cineplex Midvalley and Trolley Corners Cinemas; Megaplex 17 at Jordan Commons.

Wait a minute! Can "Remember the Titans" really be a Jerry Bruckheimer production?

Sure, this fact-based sports drama has all the earmarks of Bruckheimer's films — it's corny, clich�d and downright cheesy at times, and it presents its message in one of the most predictable, heavy-handed manners we've seen in a movie in years.

Yet, unlike so many of Bruckheimer's recent productions (especially this year's dreadful duo of "Coyote Ugly" and "Gone in Sixty Seconds"), the film also has real heart and a worthwhile purpose for existing.

In case you hadn't already gathered from the movie's trailer, "Remember the Titans" serves as a reminder of how much goodness there is inside people, just waiting for the right person to bring it out. And frankly, if you don't find yourself caught up in the movie's rah-rah finale or are at least moved by its pleas for racial acceptance, there may be something really wrong with you.

Of course, this surprisingly entertaining genre picture also benefits from having a rock-solid foundation in the form of leading-man Denzel Washington. At this point in his career, we probably shouldn't be surprised that he gives yet another stellar performance, one that exceeds the seemingly limited material.

He stars as high school football coach Herman Boone, who finds himself in a somewhat unenviable position in 1971-era Alexandria, Va. Boone has just been handed the reins for the T.C. Williams Titans, a perennial powerhouse in the high-school football ranks.

It's a school and community divided, since his hiring has forced out longtime Coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton). Meanwhile, legislature-mandated busing has led to a newly integrated student body, which has rankled even more people — if that's possible.

However, Boone is still determined to make the best of this worsening situation. First, he asks Yoast to stay on and serve as his defensive coordinator. Then, he tries to bring together his contentious, racially divided players with a grueling training camp.