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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Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Christopher Ettridge, Victor McGuire, Emma Amos, Nicholas Lyndhurst, Elizabeth Carling
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Based on an improbable but true story,Cool Runningsconcerns the Jamaican bobsled team that ... more
competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Director Jon Turteltaub (Phenomenon) does a fine job with both the absurdity of the situation (the athletes had never even ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Based on an improbable but true story,Cool Runningsconcerns the Jamaican bobsled team that ... more
competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Director Jon Turteltaub (Phenomenon) does a fine job with both the absurdity of the situation (the athletes had never even ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
You'll love COOL RUNNINGS - the outrageously funny hit inspired by the true story of ... more
Jamaica's first Olympic bobsled team. They were four unlikely athletes with one impossible dream. Now, with the help of ex-champion as their coach (John Candy - Uncle ...
Advantages: It's for the whole family, a true story and very funny. Disadvantages: Not all parts of the film are factual but if you visit the website you are given the true story.
carolinesite 05.02.2001 (03.02.2001)
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Review of Cool Runnings (DVD)
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Apr 14th, 2001
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