This is the beginning of what I plan on being a string of reviews on sports related movies. As I have seen just about every one of them to come down the pike, I feel that it is due time that I start writing about them! :) Cool Runnings is the true-to-life story of the first Jamaican bobsled team. Now, if you are not that into the Olympics, then you might be thinking to yourself, "How can Jamaica even have a bobsled team if they have no snow or ice?" Well I will get to that aspect of it, but rest-assured it will be explained. For those of you that are huge Olympic fans (like myself), then this is one of those movies that you can not miss.

Now, to start of the review of the film itself, I must explain why it was made into a movie. Disney thought that it would be a great idea to make a movie based on the trials and tribulations that the Jamaican bobsled team went through in order for them to even get the chance to compete in France. Once there, they had to face even more adversity, because nobody would take them seriously. But, it is not just the people at the Olympics that count, and they soon found out that they had a nation supporting them. I was able to watch the Olympics that they participated in on television, so I pretty much already knew how the story was going to go, was I was extremely pleased with how it turned out.

The movie itself, revolves around 4 Jamaican runners, who want to have a chance at competing in the Olympic games in France. They soon realize that the only way that they are going to get a shot, is if they participate in a winter sport. The great part about bobsledding, is that in involves many aspects of running as well. From the start-up, to the pushing of the sled itself. So, naturally runners are very well equipped to be bobsledders in their own write. In fact, Herschel Walker, a former running back for the Dallas Cowboys, was on the United States bobsled team not too long ago, and he was good at it too. But, lets get back to the movie itself.

The 4 runners come across a coach, who is played by John Candy. He plays an old, and weathered veteran of the sports, and you quickly find out that he knows exactly what he is talking about when it comes to bobsledding. The 4 runners take to liking him right away, and they form up their team of 4 with him as a coach. I will leave the rest of the plot itself up to the viewer, in case you have not seen the movie yet, and I will instead talk about a few other aspects of the movie.

The film depicts what life is really like at the Olympic games. It goes through the aspects of checking into the games, to qualifying to participate, and even to the people that run the Olympics themselves. You are allowed to see some of the processes that go on behind closed doors, and even some of the rules that aspire to make the sport respectable and fair to everyone that participates. I learned a lot by watching this film that I did not know about downhill bobsled racing. Now I too am a big fan of it when it is on from time to time with the Olympics.

One of the great aspects of this movie, is its sense of humor. Candy is a comedy genius, and this was his last best film in my opinion. When he is on screen in this film, he brings his own aura of comedy along with him. He interacts extremely well with the other cast members, and this is one of those films that makes you want to just burst out laughing every couple of minutes. I especially liked the chemistry that formed between Candy and the other actors on the screen. You could tell that they were having fun filming it, and that the whole process was enjoyed by each one of them.

This is a film that I recommend for the whole family, simply because it is a great film. It shows the humor that a sport can bring, and it also deals with some important issues that revolve around sportsmanship. I loved this movie a lot, and a few of the songs in it stuck in my head for a long time after watching it. This is what I must warn you about... it could happen to you too! ;)






Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8