Cool Runnings

PLOT:

A fictionalized account of the unlikely story of Jamaica’s first bobsled team, Cool Runnings follows their journey to the 1988 Olympics. When Derice Bannock’s (Leon) chances of qualifying for Jamaica’s track team are dashed, he looks for another sport. Derice persuades U.S. bobsledding gold medalist Irv Blitzer (John Candy), who now lives in Jamaica, to coach him and his friends as they attempt to become a world-class bobsled team.

What people are saying:

“The offbeat, fact-based saga is enlivened by the perfect balance of humor, emotion and insight and should be one of the true sleepers among fall box office releases.” 4 stars

“The offbeat, fact-based saga is enlivened by the perfect balance of humor, emotion and insight and should be one of the true sleepers among fall box office releases.” 4 stars

“In and of itself, it’s a harmless, family-friendly story with a few laughs here and there. As long as you realize that nothing – other than some Jamaicans went to Calgary in 1988 – happened in real life as it did in the movie (no bad guys in real life – the others teams were happy to help with sleds and advice; no scandal in 1972; there were five Jamaicans, not four; heck, the Jamaicans didn’t even qualify to be in the official competition in ’88). It’s historical fiction, a color-by-the-numbers feel-good movie. ” 3 stars

“It meant well, but unfortunately fails on every level. I think they were planning on the idea of Jamaicans competing in a sport that takes place on ice to be funny enough to carry it. It’s never funny. The whole first third of the movie never finds the right tone. It’s not even dumb funny. It doesn’t inspire, nor does it give you the feeling of anticipation before the competition. ” 1 star

“Cool Runnings is a really great movie that I’m sad that I didn’t get to watch any of John Candy’s films when I was young until recently. It’s surprising that they doesn’t use a large amount of fish out of water jokes which is good, and when they use them, it’s really funny. The acting is really good, especially the late John Candy who hasn’t made a bad performance from the movies I see him in. The bobsled scenes are riveting to watch, and the characters are really good. The plot is actually a bit different from other kid sports films as it has some twists and turns which were unexpected. The writing is really good, even if it is a bit corny, and well directed. For sport fans, Cool Runnings is the perfect film for them which for non sport fans, they would still like it.” 4 1/2 stars