Cool Runnings [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)

Amazon.co.uk Review

Based on an improbable but true story, Cool Runnings concerns the Jamaican bobsled team that competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Director Jon Turteltaub (Phenomenon) does a fine job with both the absurdity of the situation (the athletes had never even seen snow) and the passion behind it (their desire to compete and win). John Candy, in one of his last roles, is touching as a disgraced coach who seizes the opportunity to work with the Jamaicans as a chance for redemption. The bobsled scenes look good and the races are exciting. The climax, which is entirely unexpected, takes the film to a wholly different level, even if events in the story don't quite match the facts. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

"SANKA YA DEAD?".......2007-08-23

When the Jamaican sprinter Derice Bannock (Leon) is disqualified to the Olympic Games due to a silly accident, he envision the chance to participate in bobsleigh modality. He meets the dishonored couch Irving Blitzer (John Candy), who is living in the tropical country after two gold medals and elimination due to cheating, and convinces him to couch the first Jamaican Bobsled Team. They form a group with the push-cart driver Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug), the sprinter Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba) and the rich Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis) and without any sponsor, fly to Calgary, Alberta, Canada to participate of the XV Olympic Winter Games at -25o C. In the end, they become winners without winning the game.

Based on the true surprising participation of Jamaica in the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in the winter sport known as bobsleigh, or bobsled, in which teams make timed runs down narrow, twisting, banked, iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled, this comedy gives a very important message: the importance of teamwork and objective to make winners. Therefore, "Cool Runnings" is a great entertainment for audiences of any age. My vote is seven.

Feel The Rhythm.......2007-05-11

Classic comedy and a great way to remember the great John Candy. This film does exactly what it says on the tin. Based on a true story, we follow the trials and tribulations of a Jamaican set of sprinters trying to get the olympics in a Bobsled team.

John Candy is cast in a typical role. He is funny whilst being a victim of circumstance. There are real themes running through this film. Struggling to survive, and daring to dream. Ultimately the main thought to prevail by the end of the film is to keep on trying no matter what the obstacles, and taking part means more than winning.

This film is inspired by the true story of the first ever Jamaican bobsled team, and explores some racial issues, and how the team become heroes in a borrowed sled. You will be cheering when the team cross the line, I guarantee it.

One Of The Best Films Ever.......2006-07-10

A bold claim to make, you may feel, as this is only a light-hearted comedy. But there is just something about this film, that makes it far better than any 'family film' I have seen.

The Jamiacan setting is beautiful and sunny, and the actors are a hilarious, perfect combination. Doug.E.Doug is definately the star of the show, playing the uproarious 'Sanka'. The supporting roles are also strong, Leon Robinson as 'Ben Bannock' is delightful, endearing and down-right hot! Also the late John Candy acts brilliantly as the stubborn come gentle 'Irving Blitzer'

Some may think this film is all too predictable, but the ending will bring a tear to the most hardened male's eye! Overall, I'd have to label this film "Un-missable". I honestly think that it is the best family-comedy film ever made, and perhaps did not gain the recognition it deserved.

Don't miss it!

Peace Be The Journey!.......2006-06-25

"Cool Runnings" is based on the story of Jamaica's hard fought battle into the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. It starts when Derice Bannock (Leon) , Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba) and Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), who are competing in Olympic tryouts to represent Jamaica in the Olympic games in Seoul, Korea. Junior accidentaly trips himself over, causing Derice and Yul to go over with him and miss out on the Olympics. Derice and his friend Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug) persuade ex-bobsledder Irving Blitzen (John Candy) to coach them and get the money they need to get to the Olympics. This is a brilliant movie that is a must see for everybody!

Cool Runnings.......2006-01-16

I must admit that I’m a sucker for a good sports underdog movie and I also like a well executed family film, so it’s not really surprising that I rate “Cool Runnings” as a great film and definitely one I would recommend.

Very loosely based on the true story of the Jamaican Bobsleigh team who competed in the 1988 Calhary Winter Olympic Games the film shows the gathering of four unlikely Olympic heroes from the sun drenched island of Jamaica. Derice Bannock is the 100 metre sprinter who denied a place in the Jamaican athletics squad after a freak accident concerning two other soon to be members of the bobsleigh team, Junior Bevil and Yul Brenner, searches out an American ex-bobsleigh champion living in a drunken stupor on the island. Irving 'Irv' Blitzer is a wreak of a man and it takes some considerable persuading on the part of Derice and his best friend and forth member of the team, Sanka Coffie to get Irv interested in coaching the team.

Like a hundred of the best sporting underdog movies that have gone before and will no-doubt come again the story of the team’s journey to the Olympics are a veritable roller-coaster ride of various highs and lows and although some of them are clichéd to the hilt you can’t help but be entertained by them all. The rousing finale is one of the most moving ever seen and remains a firm favourite film scene ever of mine. But as I say I’m a sucker for this sort of thing.

The main reason why the film works so well and why the rather hackneyed plot gets away with it all is quite simple. Firstly John Candy is simply brilliant as the cynical but fiercely loyal Irv Blitzer. This is the sort of light comical role that he always excelled at and here he is well worth the money. Secondly the four members of the bobsleigh team are played with such enthusiasm by the four actors involved one just can’t help by be drawn into the film’s spell. Best of the bunch is the high energy Doug E. Doug as Sanka who mixes manic comedy with sweet home truths in a great style.

It’s not a classic film and it was never going to sweep the awards ceremonies clean, it was never meant to, but what it is a fine example of is a rather touching family film that will entertain and delight.

Average customer rating:
Cool Runnings/The Three Musketeers [1994] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Starring: Charlie Sheen , Kiefer Sutherland , Chris O'Donnell , Oliver Platt , and Tim Curry
Director: Stephen Herek , and Jon Turteltaub
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Action & Adventure | Action & Adventure | Categories | DVD | Video
Comedy | Action & Adventure | Categories | DVD | Video
All Comedy | Comedy | Categories | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000067DHH
Release Date: 2002-07-02

Average customer rating:
Sparks: the Price of Passion
Starring: Victoria Principal , Ted Wass , Hector Elizondo , and Elaine Stritch
Director: Richard Colla
Manufacturer: Pegasus Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

All Drama | Drama | Categories | DVD | Video
DVD | Format (binding_browse-bin) | Refinements | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B000W2FIP8
Release Date: 2007-10-15

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