Cool Runnings (1993)

Want to see it?

Seen it?

0
1
2
3
4
5
Rate this movie.

Buy it now on DVD

Starting at $10.07

Want to buy it?

Write a review

Discuss it

Add to lists

Recommend it

Get recommendations

Directed by Jon Turteltaub.

Starring John Candy, Doug E. Doug, Leon, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba.

Cool Runnings fictionalizes the true story of a bobsledding team from Jamaica making it to the Olympics. The tale begins when Derice Bannock (Leon), realizing that due to an accident his chances of qualifying for Jamaica's 1988 Olympic track team are dashed, scrounges around looking for another sport for the competition. Since ex-United States gold medal bobsledding winner Irv Blitzer (John Candy) now lives in Jamaica, Derice chooses bobsledding, convincing Irv to coach the team. Derice then forms his team. He gets his friend Sanka Cofie (Doug E. Doug) to join up and recruits Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), a young man who lacks self-confidence, and Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba), a disagreeable and bitter malcontent. After setbacks and near disasters, the group jells as team members and they head off to the Olympics to compete for an Olympic spot. ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

[more]

Reviews and discussions

Jamaica Strikes Back
by Tenenbaums in Tenenbaums Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"With crossword puzzles and air guitarists taking leading roles in engaging documentaries, it seems that the most unlikely candidates can make for the most interesting films. After the launch of the Jamaican dogsled team, the topic's oddity appeared natural for likewise treatment and quickly received it with Andrea Stewart's Sun Dogs. Cool Runnings told the story of the country's unlikely bobsled team that competed in front of the entire world at the 1988 Winter Olympics. Practically banking on the inevitable dogsled/bobsled misunderstandings as an "in," the filmmakers seem to think that they have another bizarre Jamaican success story and want to be the first to break the news in cinematic form. The only problem is that the story is barely worth telling. That, and high schoolers regularly make higher quality video projects for Honors English on their iMacs.After the commercial success of the bobsled team's run to fame, Jamaica proved that it was capa ... " [More]

a must see!
by Brent in Brent Blog

loved it.

Was this review helpful? [Be the first to tell us!]
"I loved this movie! Composed of good clean humor especially suitable for a younger audience but enjoyable for all ages. The story line emphasizes the importance of dedication and work ethic. Viewers enjoy a steady mix of action and humor that keeps you hooked for the entire film. " [More]

Review by All Movie Guide

All Movie Guide

is neutral about it.

Cool Runnings is a likable sports comedy that manages the unusual task of being both heavily cliched and highly offbeat. In terms of storytelling and structure, director Jon Turteltaub relies on tried-and-true cinematic sports conceits: underdog athletes, not taken seriously, become worthy competitors due to heart, grit, and determination, egged on by a coach in whom nobody believes anymore. It's been done to death, but Turteltaub understands that the formula works, just as it did in Rocky (1976), The Bad News Bears (1976), The Natural (1984) , and any one of two dozen other sports films. What sets the film apart is its sly self-awareness. The casting of the absurdly out of shape John Candy as the team's ex-champion-athlete coach, and the characters' goofball names (two teammates are Sanka Coffie and Yul Brenner) are just two examples of the film's wickedly juvenile, joyous sense of humor. The proceedings are handled with just such a delicately funny touch, the film's intentions not to be taken seriously made so clear that Cool Runnings (1993) becomes an instantly enjoyable confabulation. ~ Karl Williams, All Movie Guide

Tags: bobsled , jamaica , team , olympics , comedy
View all