TAE: Cool Runnings (1993)

Well, I might as well get it out now: I don't like sports films. After all, what's not to enjoy about cliched plot points and cardboard cut-out underdogs that always manage to win the final game and the respect of both bullies and love interests? In my mind, "You've seen one, you've seen them all."

But there's always a few films that for one reason or another, you can't help but like despite it being from a genre you dislike

For me, one of those films would have to be the 1993 film Cool Runnings. 

Plot: Jamacan sprinter Derice Bannock has recently lost his chances in competing in the Summer Olympics. But as luck would have it, Derice finds a possible way of getting to the Olympics...but in the area of Bobsledding. With a disgraced Bobsled athlete as their coach, Derice and three other Jamaican athletes begin to train for a spot in the '88 Winter Olympics. Not only does the team have to learn to survive Canadian weather, but they must learn how to work together to overcome the prejudices of the other athletes and remember their heritage.

Review: I grew up watching this film, so I have fond memories of watching it. I still quote lines with my siblings and marvel how anyone could have had a childhood if they haven't seen this movie.

 Of course, my main problem with the film are the cliches. This film gives all the patterns a 90s sports film has to offer: They have a team start from nowhere. They get into the big game, There are bullies that want to them to quit. The coach gives a rousing speech. The team competes and wins the heart of everyone because of their unique charms. There are even two separate training montages. (Now to be fair, the montages do have funny moments.)

But despite the cliches, the film does have some great moments. The comedy holds ups from multiple viewings. John Candy gives a good performance as the coach, being more of the straight man role to contrast the team (though he does have wonderful moments - including a scene where he demolishes a radio with a pool cue.) While the four bobsledders are essentially cut-out characters, the actors do a good job making the characters their own. And by the end of the film, you grow to like the characters.


Final Thoughts: Even though the film is filled with numerous sport film cliches, I still recommend it (though I might be biased) The jokes are good, the main characters are likeable and it has that certain 90s nostalgic charm that can never be hated. So I give it a rating of 3 and a half out of 5. If you like sports films, 90s films, or films with lots of humor and heart, then this is for you.

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