Customer Reviews

Cool Runnings

5 star:		(41)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Catchy music, funny crashes, bar fight, a sledder who pees in the sled because he's so scared, calling each other names like Sanka and Yul Brynner....all make for a great laugh in the eyes of a teenager. I've shown this movie to dozens of teens and it never disappoints. The fact is that it's a true story of people chasing their dream, and it has a perfect blend of silly with poignant and great pace to keep adults and young adults alike INTERESTED and entertained the entire time. Also, it follows real life at the end and doesn't have a bunch of no-name Jamaicans taking the gold at the Olympics....teens expect a Disney ending like that and appreciate seeing, instead, the truth. However, ANYONE who watches it finds themselves rooting for these no-name Jamaicans and kind of wishing they would medal even though, realistically, they have no chance. BUY IT and watch it and show it to others...its timeless themes never go out of date.

When the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics came to an end I found myself going through a Olympic withdrawal. So I searched out a copy of Walt Disney's "Cool Runnings" to give me a quick fix. This movie was a childhood favorite of mine and I was quite pleased to find that even years later I found it just as entertaining.

The plot line is based on the real life story of the very first Jamaican Bobsled team and how they came to attend the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. Though the facts may have been altered a bit as they are in most films the idea of the movie still rings true. In other words if you were hoping to watch this movie and get all the information you needed for your school paper I would advise you to check out the book "Cool Runnings and beyond: The story of the Jamaica Bobsleigh Team" (written by Chris Stokes) instead. This book is jammed packed full of info on this real life underdog tale.

However if you are looking for a great family movie that is filled with quirky characters, lots of laughs, and a little bit of educational value then this movie will definitely be a hit for you!

The movie was directed by Jon Turteltaub and has won both the Golden Screen award and the BMI Film Music Award and was nominated for (but did not win) the Artios award for "Best Casting for Feature Film, Comedy" and Young Artist Award for "Outstanding Family Movie - comedy"

You can read my full review at [...].

This DVD is being shipped to North America when it's not capabale of playing on North American DVD players. It is a European DVD & I'm sick & tired of getting the same disc when I order this movie. It's the second time that this has happened to me.

Bobsled to a Caribbean is like a Yeti to the Sahara desert. Both simply dont exist!. And yet, 4 guys with dreams in their eyes, set out to acheive the unmaginable in the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. To represent their country Jamaica in Bobsledding!.

"Cool Runnings" is based on this true story, but with a few changes that needless to say, is aimed at making the movie more dramatic. Leon(Derice Bannock)is an athlete aimed at making amends for his failure to secure a berth in the Jamaican Sprint Team. With no way out, he decides to try Bobsled, a sport no Caribbean in his right mind would even know it exists. Irv Blitzer(John Candy), a disgraced former champion Bobsledder decides to train Leon the intricacies of this "bone-shattering" sport. To compete in the event would however require 3 more bobsledders to make up the team. In comes his best friend Sanka(Doug.E.Doug), the tempermental Yul Brenner(Malik Yoba) and the reserved Junior Bevil(Rawle Lewis). What you end up with is a team of hysterical proportions, but with a heart.

"Cool Runnings" is not so much about the event as it is with the main characters. The Jamaicans are determined to compete in an event that is considered solely the domain of a few Icelandic- Nordic nations. The 4 guys are felt out of place, racialized and ridiculed at the event while the coach(Candy) is humiliated and taunted at every turn by the organizers. The crux lays in how they overcome their hardships and ultimately win the crowd, if not a medal. The movie is absolutely hilarious considering the Jamaicans have never seen snow in real life. The initial training on their island is itself worth every penny you paid to watch this movie. However the movie's main strength is in its moral message. "Believe". The movie is based entirely on this one word.

Leon is superb in his role as the leader who never gives up. John Candy is without doubt an actor with a heart of gold. Every movie he has been involved in, he brings in that 'human element' into picture. He is perfect as the flawed but determined coach. The find of the movie however, is Rawle Lewis as Junior Beville. He has the best dialogues and behind that meek physique ,stands a truly compassionate and competitive character. Sanka is the funny bone whose expressions are enough to spill your guts out while Yul Brenner is a tough but protective fellow who eventually warms up to the team and gets transformed at the end of the event. Ultimately it is the will and the confidence they derive from each other at every turn of the event that makes this movie so heart-warming.

The movie has a nice flow to it and the music is catchy. Jon Tutletaub(Director) puts everyting in the right place and the direction is straight forward but slick. Though some parts of the movie are fictionalized, it is forgivable since the main theme isn't lost. Infact it actually enhances it. I must say that movies like this generally tend to have a predictable ending. You'll know you'll have a happy one at that. But watch Cool Running's final few scenes and the phrase 'finish the race' will take a whole new meaning to you. The ending is inspiring..surprising..simply magnificent. Go watch it.

Generally well constructed and entertaining movie that is sure to evoke good feelings, and not just in a Disney-type way...

My only major concerns were the story and dialogue were somewhat flat, and the actors playing the Jamaicans (who are not Jamaican) at times tend to over-play (i.e., stereotype) the Jamaican accent and culture...

Enjoy.

"Cool Runnings" is one of the best movies I have seen.
The story line, John Candy and the Jamaican Bobsledders,
the switch from warm Jamaica to cold Calgary all make for a
warm and funny movie. I'm going to take the advice of another
reviewer and watch it now to revive the "feel-good" feeling
of the entire movie. A classic to buy and keep. A true
comedy.

"Cool Runnings" is one of the best movies I have seen.
The story line, John Candy and the Jamaican Bobsledders,
the switch from warm Jamaica to cold Calgary all make for a
warm and funny movie. I'm going to take the advice of another
reviewer and watch it now to revive the "feel-good" feeling
of the entire movie. A classic to buy and keep. A true
comedy.

Fast service, quality item, would order again

Cool runnings is enjoying, funny and most of all, it niques its mother !!

I remember I first saw this movie when I was a little girl. I absolutely loved it! Not only could I relate to the Jamaican characters, but I could feel the emotions as they were filmed-- defeat, determination, betrayal, cultural insensitivity. I cried at the end. This was a wonderful film about determination.