TMMC Reviews Cool Runnings: Feel the rhythm, look at the time.

Fantastic. This is the first word that comes to my mind when I have to describe Disney's Cool Runnings. Although the movie is 23 years old I have never had the chance to see it. My dad and sister love the movie and over the years I heard about it almost everywhere and finally now I know what they were talking about.

Cool Runnings is set in 1988 Jamaica during the summer Olympic qualifiers. Derice (Leon Robinson) has dreamed of running 100 metre track because his father won gold for Jamacia in the past. During the qualifying event Derice meets Yul (Malik Yoba) a strong but rude man who just wants to win and Junior (Rawle Lewis) a nervous young man who just wants to do his own thing. After Junior sabotages Derice and Yul, the three do not qualify for the Olympics and have their dreams crushed.

Derice hears about Irving (John Candy) an Olympic bob sleder who is retired and lives on the Island. In the past Irving wanted to try and create a bob sleigh team using Olympic sprinters but everyone thought he was crazy. Derice and his friend Sanka (Doug E. Doug) go to Irving and try to convince him to coach the first ever Jamaican bob sleigh team.

*Spoilers below*

I loved this movie. It was a heart-warming Disney movie that I have not seen and it was all new to me. The characters were amazing, the story was not only true but fantastic. Cool Runnings was from start to finish a fun film.... but there are very few perfect films and this is not one of them.

My biggest issue with this movie is that it felt way to long. While walking on the treadmill and seeing the timer go up I could not stop waiting for the movie to end. That being said this could be because I was at the gym and was doing weights before hand, so I could have just been tired.

The only other problem for me is the ending. It has a nice, sincere ending with the crash and them finishing the race on foot. It was a good and sweet ending, but I felt a little empty after. I wanted to see some more on the future of the team, the reception back home. It would have extended the movie but it would give us more closure.

The two best parts of the film are John Candy and Doug E. Dougs performances. Irving was annoying at first but you grew to love him and Sanka may not be the most "normal" person but he has a lot of heart and he helps the team out in the biggest way. One day I wish to kiss the lucky egg.

*End of Spoilers*

Is Cool Runnings Treadmill friendly? Yes. The movie is perfect for the treadmill as you can follow along with it even though you are running and may not be looking at the screen the whole time. It does seem a little long so be prepared for an extended run.

Cool Runnings is a great movie and one I wish to have seen sooner. Weather on or off the treadmill it is a perfect movie to watch. Just remember to feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, Its bob sleigh time!

Overall

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pros: Funny, Interesting, amazing acting, Sanka, classic Disney

Cons: Felt to long, ending needed more closure.