I received a sample for this review/feature. Opinions expressed are my own.
There is always something a extra special about a watching a film based on a true story. Disney really brings out the “feel goods” with their latest film just released on Blu-ray, McFarland USA.
In the tradition of Disney sports movies comes ?McFarland, USA? based on a true story of underdogs triumphing over tremendous obstacles. This heartwarming drama follows novice runners who strive to build a cross-country team under Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner) in their predominantly Latino high school. Everyone has a lot to learn about each other, but when Coach realizes the boys? exceptional running ability, things change. Beyond their talent, it’s the power of family, commitment to each other and work ethic that transform them into champions ? helping them achieve their own American dream.
McFARLAND, USA..L to R: Jose Cardenas (Johnny Ortiz), Danny Diaz (Ramiro Rodriguez), Thomas Valles (Carlos Pratts), Victor Puentes (Sergio Avelar), Damacio Diaz (Michael Aguero), Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner), Johnny Sameniego (Hector Duran) and David Diaz (Rafael Martinez)..Ph: Ron Phillips..?Disney 2015
BONUS FEATURES:
- McFarland Reflections
- Juntos Music Video by Juanes
- Inspiring McFarland
- Deleted and Extended Scenes
RATINGS: PG
FEATURE RUN TIME: 129 minutes
Jim white is a teacher and a sports coach and after a string of disagreements with schools he finds himself with his wife and two daughters in McFarland, one of the poorest cities in the country. He doesn’t last a week working with the football coach but he soon discovers that several students have a strong ability to run so he starts up a cross country team. It is easier said than done because several of the kids are needed to help their families by picking food in the fields so their families can survive. Overcoming obstacles and working together as a team they see the strength within themselves as they head off to the first ever state championships for cross country running in California. This movie shows that it does “take a village” as the whole city works together to get them there.
I did let my 6 year old watch this with me and after talking with her about the movie afterwards she definitely understood everything that was going on. There is one scene that does depict a knife fight but no knives or actual fighting are shown on camera. My daughter did have questions about that scene for me later and we discussed it but I still think the movie is appropriate for her.
McFARLAND, USA..Coach Jim White on set of McFarland, USA..Ph: Ron Phillips..?Disney 2015
Overall this is a great movie that did in fact make me cry and I almost never cry in movies. All of the acting is so well done and the story itself is so incredible that maybe it will inspire something inside us all.
Connect: You can connect with McFarland USA on Facebook, Google+ and @DisneyPictures on Twitter.
