An Olympic favorite, Cool Runnings is sadly flatter than I need it to be. Very loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team, considered absurd at the Calgary Olympics in 1988, it keeps he bare bones of the true story to just narrowly avoid hitting every sports movie cliché. Yes, fish out of water, making good when no one believes in you (in fact better than the actual team's performance), a redemption arc for John Candy's coach, and a story of sportsmanship and integrity. Throw in a Bond villain jerk bobsledder for good measure. That's fine. It's definitely a MOVIE. But as long as you're going to create all-new characters to take the place of the original participants (I wonder how they felt about this total fictionalization of their lives?), you might want to punch things up a little, because it still feels like a standard biopic (this happened, then this happened, then this happened). There are some good moments, but it mostly feels safe and ordinary, when it's not being outright manipulative (which is really the only reason to use the actual crash footage). What does make me smile is thinking that Eddie the Eagle is also happening somewhere at those same Olympics - this was before athletic snobbery crushed any opportunity for these kinds of stories.
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razzy
"When I get older I want to live HERE""DUDE thats the Buckingham palace. you'd have to marry the QUEEN to live there!"
This movie is just great for a good time with friends
very funny
Siskoid
An Olympic favorite, Cool Runnings is sadly flatter than I need it to be. Very loosely based on the Jamaican bobsled team, considered absurd at the Calgary Olympics in 1988, it keeps he bare bones of the true story to just narrowly avoid hitting every sports movie cliché. Yes, fish out of water, making good when no one believes in you (in fact better than the actual team's performance), a redemption arc for John Candy's coach, and a story of sportsmanship and integrity. Throw in a Bond villain jerk bobsledder for good measure. That's fine. It's definitely a MOVIE. But as long as you're going to create all-new characters to take the place of the original participants (I wonder how they felt about this total fictionalization of their lives?), you might want to punch things up a little, because it still feels like a standard biopic (this happened, then this happened, then this happened). There are some good moments, but it mostly feels safe and ordinary, when it's not being outright manipulative (which is really the only reason to use the actual crash footage). What does make me smile is thinking that Eddie the Eagle is also happening somewhere at those same Olympics - this was before athletic snobbery crushed any opportunity for these kinds of stories.Nilkes
Every time that slow clap kicks in when they've crashed, I have to cry a little, such an amazing and supportive moment."Some people say they know they can't believe, Jamaica we have a bobsled team."
Blade22
great comedy & laughsREDLAB
Sanka You DEAD MAN?itsaboat
“Gentlemen, a bobsled is a simple thing. Yeah, so's a toilet!”HarryMoore
beastly filmBeardcore
@balderheartMOVIES: Ya, man!Videl
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r71JHunY8rI#t=31Jamaican Bobsled team song