Cool Runnings

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"One dream. Four Jamaicans. Twenty below zero."
  • PG
  • 1993
  • 1 hr 38 min
  • 7.0  (113,455)
  • 60

Cool Runnings is a 1993 sports comedy film directed by Jon Turteltaub and starring a talented cast of actors, including the late John Candy, Leon, and Doug E. Doug. The film is loosely based on the true story of the Jamaican national bobsled team's debut at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. The movie opens in Jamaica with Derice Bannock (played by Leon) training for the 100-meter dash alongside his best friend, Sanka Coffie (Doug E. Doug). However, during the qualifiers, Derice trips and falls, causing a chain reaction that results in a multiple athlete pile-up. Determined to be on the Olympic team, Derice seeks out the legendary disgraced bobsledding coach Irv Blitzer (John Candy), who had won two gold medals in bobsledding at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France. Despite Irv's reluctance to coach again, Derice convinces Irv to coach him and his teammates in bobsledding.

Derice and Sanka team up with two fellow Jamaican speed skaters, Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis) and Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba), to form Jamaica's first bobsled team. Despite being met with skepticism and ridicule from the other teams and officials at the Winter Olympics, Irv and his team are determined to prove themselves.

The movie follows the team as they train, fundraise, and prepare for the Winter Olympics. Along the way, they've faced numerous challenges, including mastering the bobsled, financial difficulties, and a qualifying race in which they almost didn't qualify. While training, they also experience social and cultural differences as they're the only predominantly Black team in the Olympics. At one point in the film, their gear is even sabotaged.

However, the team perseveres and is finally accepted by the other athletes when they push their bobsled to the finish line after it's damaged during a qualifying race. The team finally participates in the Olympics but struggles with technical difficulties during their first run, causing a crash that almost ended their Olympic dreams.

In the end, the Jamaican bobsled team has to overcome challenges and prejudices while competing against more-established and experienced bobsled teams from countries like the United States, Switzerland, and Germany. Even though they may not have won a medal, the team earns the respect of their fellow athletes and the spectators who cheered them on during the competition.

Cool Runnings is a heartwarming story about overcoming adversity, chasing your dreams, and achieving the impossible. The film's humor, heart, and performances by a talented cast make it a beloved classic for all ages. The movie is not just about sports, but also about the power of friendship, teamwork, and determination. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer also adds to the tension and excitement of the film.

Overall, Cool Runnings is a lighthearted and entertaining film that will leave you rooting for the underdogs and laughing along the way. The film teaches valuable lessons about perseverance, diversity, and the importance of believing in yourself and your abilities. With its uplifting message, Cool Runnings is a classic sports comedy that will continue to delight audiences for years to come.

Cool Runnings is a 1993 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0 and a MetaScore of 60.

Cool Runnings
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Where to Watch Cool Runnings
Cool Runnings is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Disney+, Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Cool Runnings for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    1993
  • MPAA Rating
    PG
  • Runtime
    1 hr 38 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    7.0  (113,455)
  • Metascore
    60