Sun, sea, sand and ICE
 Apr 14th, 2001
Advantages:
Very comical !
Disadvantages:
Annoying that their sled breaks !
Recommendable:
Yes
Detailed rating:
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  lil_devilg
About me:
Member since:19.07.2000
Reviews:45
Members who trust:2
Review rated by 13 Ciao members on average: very helpful 
Loosely based on the true story about Jamaica's first bobsled team this comedy is one to be treasured. It's about a dream put into action and the triamph of showing everyone that against the odds they can still succeed. It begins with the Jamaican trials where they are running the men's 100m! Brenner and Derese are tripped by Junior who falls in front of them. All three had great potential to make it to the olympics, but they believed this was their one and only chance. It is at this point that one of them, Derese, the son of a former olympian decides he will get to the olympics no matter what it takes. Derese is a young, hopeful athlete and after missing his chance with the track trials he tries to put together a Jamaican bobsled team. Amazingly he is not disheartened by the people that laugh in his face. He wants John Candy to train his team, but at first he is not interested. They finally get a team of four together including himself, Brenner, Junior and his long time friend Sanka, a derby cart driver and practice in Jamaica with their coach played by John Candy. There's no lack of effort, however their problems are rooted in the lack of snow, time and money.
As four Jamaicans who have never left the island, they know nothing of the cold in Canada or even how to bobsleigh properly. It appears that at the trials they are still being taught by Candy, as they take their first run down the shoot. As the laughing stock of the trials, they have a lot to fight against; not only the prejudice, but also the fact that they aren't all in the sled properly before they enter their first trial, their first time trial doesn't go well and they bounce off the sides, and
their heads are bobbing all over the place. They regain team spirit in time to bring themselves up to 8th place in their second trial. With only the final to go, the boys are feeling confident, and with the whole of Jamaica behind them they gain more support from the people there and some prejudice is lost. Everyone roots for the rookies of this sport, but unfortunately their sled isn't in the best of shape and falls apart half way down. Their hopes and dreams are dashed, but then they pick up the sled and carry over the finish with the clapping sound of opposing teams. They feel as though they had achieved something, and they had, the support and respect of everyone at the olympics. They were able to return four years later to compete again.
It's very enjoyable to watch! The characters are very funny, especially Sanka, who seems to be mad, but brings about most of the comedy. This film is about striving to achieve and is very encouraging. I enjoyed it, as it is watchable and not unrealistic, but just a bit polished from the real story. I would recommend this for anyone who likes a good laugh with a sentimental streak too.
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14.01.2006 01:42
love this film, well written review.
14.04.2001 20:33
I watched Cool Runnings this afternoon and thoroughly enjoyed it. A good, informative opinion.
14.04.2001 20:27
a fine op. on what is a pretty funny, easy to watch film. Phil :)