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Review rated by 53 Ciao members on average: very helpful
I loved this film when it first came out in 1994 and it was a well watched favourite in my old video collection. A few years ago though we became a DVD only house and this was one of the films that fell by the wayside. I had totally forgotten about it until I was redeeming some points on ipoints and I spotted this one. I'm so glad that I did because it really is a feel good film that is definitely worth watching many times.
Cool Runnings is based on a true story and tells of Jamaica's first bobsled team. It all starts when some talented sprinters literally crash out of the olympic trials for the 100 metres due to a nasty fall. One of them, Derice Bannock, plyed by Leon Robinson is so upset by what has happened that he visits the Mr Coolidge, the man in charge of the Olympic selections, and begs for the race to be re-run. He is refused but while he is there he spots a photograph of his own father (a very successful athlete himself) with another man who turns out to be Irvine Blitzer (John Candy),
an american living on the island, who years ago had the crazy idea of forming a Jamaican bobsled team made up of the most successful sprinters.
Derice tracks Blitzer down and eventually persuades him to help form and coach a team. He finds team mates Sanka Coffie (Doug E Doug), Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba) and rich boy Junior Bevil (Rawle D Lewis). They don't actually like each other very much especially as Junior was the one to cause the fall in the trials, but they are prepared to work together to form a bobsled team. The only problems are that they know nothing about bobsledding or about being in a cold climate.
Despite no one else taking them seriously, they learn enough to get themselves to the Winter Olympics in Calgary. There they face a great deal of hostility from the other competing countries particularly because they are 'different'! Undeterred, they gradually start to become bobsledders in every sense of the word and suddenly there is a faint possibilty that they might even be in with the chance of a medal!
I won't spoil the end by saying what happens. It is however incredibly moving and every single time I watch it I find myself in floods of tears at the end - even though it is a comedy!
In my opinion this is an absolutely fantastic film. The storyline itself is compelling and it's always good to root for the underdogs. The film also has a real energy and vibrancy without that can't help making you smile all the way through it. It gives a wonderful portrayal of Jamaica and jamaicans with their positive 'can do anything' attitudes. It also extremely funny in places and I keep finding myself laughing out loud as I am watching!
I think that all the main actors are really excellent. The four young bobsledders are totally convincing in their passion to do their best and it's always poignant to watch the late John Candy. This really was a fine performance from him and it's so sad that he died so soon after this film was released at the age of 44.
The relationships between all the main characters are totally believeable and you end up wanting to hug them all at the end. There are some fascinating minor storylines to follow as well particularly finding out the reason why Irv is so despised by his former team mates and the struggle Junior has with his powerful and influential father.
When I first watched the film I did wonder about the title. This is explained in the film when the athletes decide to call their bobsled 'Cool Runnings' which translated meand - peace be the journey! I like that!
This film actually came out of the Disney studios and it is just about everything that you could want from a film. It has a funny but moving story, it has a sensational backdrop of Jamaican and Canadian scenery, it has humour, it has superb acting and it has a unique energy. It's brilliant!
At the moment you can find it on Amazon for only £3.97 which is excellent value and at tht price I definitely recommend buying it to keep.
Unfortunately the DVD that we have does not have any extras to mention.
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 ...
![Cool Runnings [DVD] [1994]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78539432.jpg)
![Cool Runnings [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/102354610.jpg)
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27.04.2009 15:33
Very good review. This film is legendary! :)
20.04.2009 01:15
This really is a lovely feel good film, but for some reason I still havent bought myself a copy even though I always watch it when its on TV.
02.02.2009 00:25
This film is an absolute classic. Great review!