This Day in Theaters: Oct. 1, 1993

Cool Runnings (1993)

 

Quick! What was the 15th highest grossing movie of 1993? That's right it was Cool Runnings at just over $154 million. If you're thinking wow you're not alone, I had the same reaction. But then I really though about it and it seems more plausible; in fact it is surprising it didn't make more. The movie is about a group of three Jamaican sprinters who fail to qualify for the summer Olympics and upon meeting a former bobsledding champion (John Candy), who inexplicably lives in Jamaica, convince him to be their coach in order to achieve there dream of representing their country in 1988 no matter which Olympics it is. To round out the foursome we get a real life Jamaican stereotype and with their new coach they embark on a long improbably journey. Along the way they hit some of the normal snags in underdog stories such as needing money to train, parental disapproval, a bullying rival, and some past daemons but we get some decent laughs in as well as some insight into the world of bobsledding. Top it all of this was based on a true story, though with some dramatic license taken. 

Richard Harrington of the Washington Post:

"The drama of events -- the struggle, the persistence, the payoff -- are served up as lighthearted comedy. There's surprisingly little emphasis on the visceral sport of bobsledding, though you do get enough front-of-sled camera POV to appreciate the courage (or madness) needed to compete here. But the focus is clearly on the human element, on the unbeatable spirit that seems to culminate in Olympic competition. To their credit, the filmmakers didn't defy history and turn the Jamaican bobsled team into medal winners. In truth, it was the world's heart they won."

James Berardinelli  of Reel Views thought of the film differently:

"A bobsledding team from Jamaica? Well, as the old cliche puts it, truth is stranger than fiction. Except that Cool Runnings tries to fictionalize the truth, forcing the story into the familiar "overachieving underdog" mold. A film that could have presented a fresh look at an unusual sport proves instead to be entirely mediocre and forgettable. 

...

It's hard to knock a movie as inoffensive as Cool Runnings -- a family film that should be approached with appropriate expectations. This lackluster production is well-suited for the television viewer with a short attention span who likes to make occasional trips to the kitchen for a bite to eat. Perhaps that's the best way to watch Cool Runnings -- sprawled out on the couch instead of sitting in a theater. After all, in a season when pictures like this flare up then fade quickly, it shouldn't be a long wait for the video."

In Jamaica bobsled drives you!

I see where the Reel Views review is coming from: watching this movie as an adult is probably best done while doing something else. It isn't going to keep you enthralled and while it contains a few laughs it won't satisfy your day as much as a sports comedy like "Major League". But the reason I am surprised this film didn't make more is that is a great movie for kids and decent enough for parents to enjoy as well. I remember seeing this movie with my Aunt in the theaters growing up and I loved it; all my friends loved it too. I even saw it more than once in theaters and I am sure if my Aunt wasn't entertained she wouldn't have recommended my parents take me; and since my friends did as well I figured it would've grossed a bit more cash. Don't get me wrong, it isn't as entertaining for the parents as a Pixar film, but it does its job. Would I recommend it to any of my peers today? Lets just put it this way: if you haven't seen it don't bother going out of the way but if it comes on TV check it out for a bit and see if it satisfies. But if you have, say a seven year old, I am quite confident they will enjoy themselves and you won't have to worry about being bored out of your mind.

IMDb score: 6.7

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 74%