Disney and Kevin Costner have teamed up for another feel good sports movie, McFarland, USA. While the story itself doesn’t offer anything particularly new, the film’s strength lies in the respect for this true story, and the strong performance from Kevin Costner.

Costner plays disgraced Idaho football coach Jim White. Fired from his job after a locker room incident with a player, the only job he can find is in McFarland, California, one of the poorest townships in America. When White, his wife (Maria Bello) and their two young daughters first arrive in town, they can’t even figure out how to order a taco. If we didn’t know, the film makes it clear that White and his family are inhabiting a Latino community.

Hired as the gym teacher in 1987, Jim sees how fast some of the kids in his P.E. class can run, and forms the school’s first cross-country track team with seven of the students. Their speed and athleticism, he soon discovers, is due to running to school each day, after working in the fields each morning. Not only are they fast, but these kids are have an ingrained work ethic that students from the more elite schools just don’t possess. Initially, the parents find their boys’ training an imposition on the boys’ working hours, but once they start getting positive results, the entire town rallies around them, hoping they can qualify for the state championships.

It would be easy to dismiss McFarland, USA, as predictable and formulaic—which it is—but the story has lots of heart, and screenwriters Christopher Cleveland, Bettina Gilois, and Grant Thompson’s have provided a nice look at the relationship between Jim White and the students. It takes time for them to develop trust, and the somewhat naïve coach learns a lot from his students who have unique life experience. Costner seems at ease in the role, and he is helped by a solid ensemble, led by standout Carlos Pratts as the team’s most conflicted and gifted runner. It’s also nice to see the Latino community and their traditions spotlighted in a positive way. Too often we see them as gangsters, drug dealers, and other criminal sorts, so this inspirational story is welcome.

Presented in the 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Disney has provided an excellent 1080p transfer. Shot in 35mm, it looks like film and exhibits wonderful sharpness throughout. Colors are bright and vivid; skin tones appear natural. Contrast appears appropriate, and black levels are inky but not overdone. Subtitles are used occasionally when characters are speaking Spanish; they’re in white and are very easy to read.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 sound mix offers excellent use of the surround channels when necessary, offer nice depth to the aural experience. Dialogue, clean and clear, has been placed in the center channel. Antonio Pinto’s guitar-based score has been spread nicely throughout the soundfield.

English, English SDH, Spanish, and Portuguese subtitles are included.

The following extras are available:

  • McFarland Reflections (HD, 8:29) Kevin Costner hosts this roundtable featuring Jim White and runners from his original team, including Thomas Valles, Johnny Sameniego and David, Damacio and Danny Diaz. I really would have liked more of this, to gain more insight into the team.
  • Deleted & Extended Scenes (HD, 8:10) Six hit or miss deleted and extended scenes are available, among them “Jim and Jenks Go Toe-to-Toe,” “Un-Quit,” “Coach Motivates Danny and Victor,” “Jose Is on His Own,” “Dale Takes in Jose” and “Thomas Watches His Father Leave.”
  • Music Video (HD, 3:25) “Juntos” by Juanes.
  • Inspiring McFarland (HD, 2:02) A brief behind-the-scenes promo featuring director Niki Caro, star Kevin Costner, and the real Jim White talking about the film’s story and themes.
  • Digital Copy of the film.