Pop Culture Movies and More: Cool Runnings (1993)

When the Jamaican sprinter Derice Bannock fails to qualify for the 100-yard sprint for the Olympics due to a minor accident, he decides to go to the Olympics anyway, not as a sprinter however, but as a bobsledder. He meets dishonoured coach Irving Blitzer, who is living in Jamaica and convinces him to coach the first Jamaican bobsledding team. They form a group with push-cart driver Sanka Coffie, sprinter Yul Brenner and rich Junior Bevil and without any sponsor, fly to Calgary to participate in the 1988 Winter Olympics. In the freezing weather Derice, Sanka, Junior, and Yul are only laughed at since nobody can take a Jamaican bobsledding team led by a disgraced trainer seriously. But team spirit and a healthy self-confidence may lead to a few surprises in the upcoming Olympics. Cool Runnings is a hilarious movie that I thoroughly enjoyed and is inspired by, but not a true account of, the true story of the first Jamaican Olympic bobsled team and is a heartwarming story for the whole family to enjoy. It has some very good life lessons with some great comedic scenes throughout. The bobsledding team have some great banter, which is frequently joined in by Irv. Out of all the members, I particularly love Sanka the most due to how he is easily the funniest character in every scene he is in. My personal favourite moment with him is when the whole group is raising money for the team so they can fly over to the games. One of Sanka's attempts is by singing yet no one gives him any money until one man comes along and says, "I'll pay you a dollar to shut up" and I just couldn't stop laughing. I love every moment he is on screen. The coach, Irv, is played by the phenomenal actor John Candy who has some extremely funny sequences also, which got plenty of laughs from me as he does in all of his films like, for example, The Great Outdoors (1988), Uncle Buck (1989), Planes, Trains And Automobiles (1987) and Spaceballs (1987). He, unfortunately, passed away one year later after this film was released, only at the age of 43, which is very upsetting and a real shame as he was an amazing actor in so many wonderful films. I love his scenes like the recruiting for the bobsledding team with the use of a video demonstration. Instead of being a positive look at the sport it ends up showing all the crashes and dangers of the sport to which the video ends with the words 'Crash Kills Bobsledder'. Irv even says "Always remember, your bones will not break in a bobsled. No, no, no. They shatter." I love the whole scene mainly because right after this presentation, matched with these words, Irv proceeds to ask who wants in to find everybody has left. It is such a brilliant scene that always gets a laugh from me. Each member of the Jamaican bobsledding team are all great and I love that they are each shown as separate people with different goals and ways of thinking making their journey along the way all that more compelling. The friendships they develop throughout the film are so engaging and a true highlight. I think the best development is seen with Yul Brenner who doesn't get along with Junior Bevil after his accident cost him his place in the Olympics. He is always harsh to Bevil however, over the course of the film they become friends and he helps him with the confidence to stand up to his father. Seeing the team grow and overcome their problems is so entertaining and rewarding in the end. My favourite scene in the entire feature is the ending when the team finishes the race. It is a really emotional and uplifting moment that gained the respect of all the people and teams who originally mocked them as they clap them to the finish line. Jamaica had finally earned all of their respect in the most powerful scene in the whole film, which is certain to have many viewers choked up and cheering alongside everyone else. Overall, this film is a great deal of fun, which can be watched with the whole family. It is full of great messages, hilarious timeless comedy and an enjoyable round of characters. I would highly recommend giving this film a look over as it is truly delightful.