Cool Runnings is a wonderful movie, based on the true story of Jamaica's first Olympic bobsled team. Everyone thought how could four athletes from Jamaica, in the warm sunshine go to the cold air in Calgary and make it into the Olympics.
It begins in Jamaica with Derice practicing his running so he can get into the Olympics as a runner. Sanka (Doug E. Doug) getting ready for his go kart race. When it comes time for the race to get into the Olympics Junior trips Derice and Yule Brenner, now they must find another way to get to the Olympics.
When Derice is talking to Mr. Coolidge about doing the race over he sees a picture of a guy with an Olympic medal around his neck with his father. He takes the picture so he can find him around the town where they live. Derice and Sanka eventually convince him (John Candy) to give them a try at bobsledding.
A meeting is held to find two others who want to join the team. After Irving (Candy) shows a video of bobsledding and all the spills that come along with it, everyone leaves the meeting. Only Derice, Sanka, Yule, and Junior are left, now the team is together at last.
Irving first assigns who will sit were in the bobsled during practice and when in Calgary.
Problem is Junior's dad wants him to work at a brokerage firm in Miami, he thinks trying out for the Olympics is worthless and will get him no where in life. But Junior wants to be in the Olympics and has to find a way to break it to his father that he and the team are going to Calgary to make it in the Olympics.
They start their practice at the top of a hill in a make shift bobsled. Running to start and trying to jump in as it goes down the hill, falling all over each other, tipping the bobsled and piling in on top of each other. As the days go by their times get faster, it is now time for them to get funding to get them to Calgary. But when Irving goes to Mr. Coolidge for the funding he will not give it to them, thinks it is a mistake for them to go and will be laughed at.
So the four try to raise money their selves by singing, trying to get a loan from a bank, arm wrestling, and a kissing booth. When they count all their money they are still short, until Junior comes in with the money that he got from selling his car to get them to Calgary.
So off they go to cold Calgary to get a spot in the Olympics and compete for a spot. When Irving gets their he is laughed at for trying to get Jamaicans in to the bobsled competition.
Irving then bumps into his old team mates Roger, Larry and Kurt from when they were in the Olympics a while back (16 years). He asks Roger to meet him at a restaurant, then asks him if he has a bobsled they can use. The team mates are mad at him because they lost their medals when Irving cheated by putting weights in their sled to make it go faster. Roger is only one not angry at him still.
Now the guys go out on the ice at a rink to get footing on ice before they go and practice the bobsledding on ice. They end up falling and slipping all over each other.
Now the day comes for the first day of practice at the track. Where every body gets a laugh out of them trying out. On the way down their sled starts to break. Back in the room they begin to realize they can find the courage in each other to make it.
Now comes their first push start on their own which does not go well, a picture is taken for the paper. Back home Junior's father sees him in the paper (still does not know he is in Calgary).
Junior gets a letter from his father telling him to come home now, which he does not. The guys now wake up every morning to get practice at running, weight training and running on ice.
They are now at their first qualifying run, which 59.46 seconds, qualifying them for another run. They now name their sled "COOL RUNNINGS" which means "PEACE BE THE JOURNEY". They then get a letter telling them they are disqualified, all because they are Jamaicans and do not belong in the bobsledding part of the Olympics. After Irving goes down their to talk to the committee, they are eventually told they are back in.
Now we are at the opening ceremonies. The night before their first run Junior's father comes to pick him up and take him home. Junior finally finds the courage to tell his father he wants to do this and will not go home with him.
Their first run is not to great, bouncing all over the track and had a hard time getting in. But they made it in to a qualifying time again, in last place.
Their second run is made in 56.53 seconds, much better from day before, qualifying again. Heads are not bouncing all over and get in quicker then the Swiss team.
On their third run half way down the sled starts falling apart. Then the worst happens their sled flips over and they sled down the tack coming to a stop close to the finish line. But feeling happy to be their and wanting to make their country happy, they get out and pick up the sled and walk to the finish line. With every one clapping for them, wearing the Jamaican team shirts. It is now everyone sees they have what it takes and tells them they will see them again in 4 years.
This is a great movie and wonderful actors. Based on the story of the first real Jamaican bobsled team. Suitable for the whole family. There is some cussing and fighting, but not too much.
You ll love Cool Runnings--the outrageously funny comedy hit inspired by the true story of Jamaica s first Olympic bobsled team. They were four unlike...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.