Cool Runnings

As it is December first I thought I would ease us into the festive period with a film that is always shown around Christmas time, Cool Runnings. Personally one of my favourite feel good films there is about. It is one of those films that put you in a right good mood after you have watched them. In my case I tend to end up dancing about annoying my friends singing "nuff people say they know they can't believe, Jamaica we have a bobsled team."

Now the fact that the story of the Jamaican bobsled team debut is based on a real one really gives the film that added bonus. You can’t help but get sucked into the team’s journey from the team nobody has faith in at the butt of every joke, to the team that takes the limelight winning everyone’s hearts. You can’t help but end up rooting for them.

There is no denying that the comedy aspect is what makes this film. There is never a dry moment throughout you always know that around the corner something is about to leave you in hysterics. From practicing in the bath to Sanka’s timely quotes. “Sanka ya dead?”… “Ya man”

The great mix of characters in the Bobsled team along with coach ‘Irv’ complete the team greatly. With Derice, the serious athlete with will and determination. Junior, the rich kid defying his father, which in turn only makes him proud. Yul, the guy determined to make a name for himself and lastly Sanka, the happy go lucky guy who kisses an egg for luck every time he races.

All in all this film promises ups, downs and tons of laughter, you can’t go wrong! 

Fact File

Release date: February 25, 1993

Run time: 98mins

Age rating: PG

Genre: Comedy

Lead actors: John Candy, Leon Preston Robinson, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis and Malik Yoba

Award wins: A BMI Film Music Award for Hans Zimmer and for a Golden Screen award.

Review: BBC movies wrote: “The considerable warmth, humour and persistence of the cast soon have you rooting for these underdogs.”

Plot summary

A comical tale loosely based on the true story of the 1988 Winter Olympics debut for Jamaica’s national bobsleigh team. When Derice Bannock fails to qualify for the Olympics 100 yard sprints he is determined to still go to the Olympics. After finding out previous Bobsleigh coach Irving Blitzer is leaving close he creates Jamaica’s first bobsledding team. Faced with humiliation and disbelief the team have a rollercoaster journey to prove themselves.