COOL RUNNINGS

COOL RUNNINGS - 1993

RATED - PG for mild language & brief violence. VERY family friendly for children 8+.

RATINGS - 84 Amazon (5/5), 481,379 Netflix (3.7/5), 20,178 IMDB (6.5/10).

STARRING - John Candy & friends.

THEMES - Follow your dream, justice, relationships.

STORY - Based on the true story of the 1988 Jamaica Olympic bobsled team. How much of the details of the film are actual facts is unknown but it is true that Jamaica did send a four man bobsled team to the 1988 Olympics in Calgary. This is the funny and inspiring story of how it came about, how they got there and what happened once they arrived. I'm not always a big John Candy fan but I think you'll like him in this film. More than just a comedy - I start laughing when I hear Jamaica, Olympic and bobsled all in the same sentence - this is a film about a world class athlete who loses his chance to compete in the Summer Olympics and is determined to get to the Olympics no matter how. What happens when he and John Candy, a former Olympic Gold Medalist in bobsledding for the USA, who is a down and out bookie living in Jamaica, get together is pure fun and magic. While there is no easy way to learn bobsledding in Jamaica, it won't be for lack of trying if they don't. This is the kind of film that Walt Disney built its reputation on. An upbeat soundtrack of Reggae music adds to the film as well as the great scenery. A fun evening for the whole family. Lu G. for Lu's Reviews. 03/29/2009.

LINKS - AMAZON, IMDB, ROGER EBERT