Cool Runnings (1993)

 

You know how a film you watched as a kid often gives you that fuzzy feeling? I say 'kid', even if I was already 13 years old at the time, but still. And you also know how oftentimes, revisiting said film makes you realise it wasn't as good as you remember? 

This one still holds up. In fact, maybe I appreciate it even more now than I did back then. Even if I was already biased, because the death of John Candy already got to me at that age, as he was one of those actors I just took an instant liking to, not just because of his comedic genius, but because the man could act, something he proves in spades here as well.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves, shall we?

Based on a true story no less, 'Cool Runnings' is the tale of the first ever Jamaican bobsled team. On its own, that already is a bizarre premisse, for as we all know, snow isn't exactly abundant on the tropical island. Here, we follow Derice Bannock, a very promising young sprinter who is trying out for the Olympics. But one of his co-competitors trips and makes Derice and a bulky, angry young man named Yul Brenner (yes, really) fall, thus making their dream of the Olympics moot. 

When Derice discovers that a former Olympian named Irv Blitzer is living on the island and knew Derice's father, he gets an idea. Turns out this is a bobsledder, who had the notion that sprinters could make excellent sledders. Of course, no one wants to believe in this team. Why would you? The idea is absurd. Nevertheless, they persevere and eventually make it to the Olympics in Calgary, where of course they are first met with hostility and where they of course prove that you can never judge a book by its cover.

This is a Disney film, after all. 

So sure, the story follows the predictable formula, but that doesn't mean it doesn't work, as it truly reels you in with the fun characters. All four of our bobsledders are endearing in their own way: Derice is the focused and ambitious one, Sanka is the slacker goofball, Yul is the angry young man and Junior is the daddy's boy. They work well off each other and each is given a number of funny lines. Heck, the "Sanka, you dead?" had become a meme before memes were even a thing. It's a light comedy, but it still is very funny, even if you might not be rolling across the floor. Trust me: you'll be smiling. Often. And broadly.

But let's take a moment to appreciate the class of John Candy. Here, he has his energetic performance toned down quite a bit, as he is supposed to be a disgraced former athlete who has become cynical and it works. It isn't often you see the man in this capacity, but it's what proves he had quite a broad range as an actor. And yes, the fact that he passed away shortly after this film was made, makes it all the more poignant. His Irv Blitzer is a great addition to the pantheon of unforgettable on-screen coaches. 

Great comedians and actors, they are few and far between. So here's to you, mr Candy. 

It's difficult not to have a good time while watching this. The ending is one of those 'rise from your seat and cheer'-types, and it's kind of hard not to do the same. 

Light entertainment? Maybe, but heartily recommended!