About me:Hi all - Hope you enjoy my reviews. I've been away from Ciao for almost 2 years, but now I'm back. F...
Member since:14.07.2007
Reviews:27
Members who trust:4
Review rated by 24 Ciao members on average: very helpful
This is probably one of my favourite films. I have lost count the number of times I have watched it. Yet I have not got sick of it.
It is based on a true story about the Jamaican Bobsled (Bobsleigh) team in teh Calgary Winter Olympics.
The story revolves around a Jamaican sprinter, Derise, who fails to qualify for the Summer Olympics but is desparate to be an olympian. He turns to a Canadian (Irv Blitzer - played by John Candy) who tried to convince Derise's father (also a sprinter) to take up Bobsledding. The idea being that the sprinters athletic ability could be refined to make excellent bobsledders.
Derise, is joined by two other sprinters who were also unsuccessful in qualifying for the Summer Olympics (Junior and Yul Brenner), and his best friend Sanka.
You watch as they overcome the obstacles thrown at them from the time they decide to form the team to actually participating in the Olympics.
The comedy elements are great, with Sanka providing most of them. However, its not pant-wetting hilarious so don't expect to be in stitches throughout the entire movie.
The ending is great and heart-warming. I personally find it a very inspirational film and the climax does always brings me close to tears (and I'm no softy).
As a DVD it is lacking what you would expect from many modern DVDs. There is no extras to speak about. No Outtakes, No deleted scenes, no director's commentary. I pray Disney re-release a modern version of this DVD with additional features. I can't help but feel there must have been many funny moments during the production of this film that Cool Runnings fans would love to see/share with the cast/crew. Even if there wasn't it would be a perfect opportunity for fans to find out the real story about the real Jamaican Bobsled team.
It does contain a option for subtitles but even those I think arent that accurate to the exact script. Especially when it comes to the songs in the soundtrack.
Speaking of the soundtrack, Hans Zimmer has done a great job with the ochestral pieces, and the other songs are also great. I think the most well-known song that features on the soundtrack is Jimmy Cliff's 'I Can See Clearly Now'..
This is a great film and one that highly under-rated. It is a definite feel-good movie that all the family will enjoy and I think a must-have in your DVD collection.
After watching it I'm sure you'll agree with me when I say - 'Go Jamaica !'.
m that 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 ...
m that 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 ...
09.08.2007 18:06
I love this film, great review, very helpful
27.07.2007 18:26
Classic film this!
27.07.2007 00:38
Love this film!!! "Sanka Ya dead man" quality line