"Miracle" on Ice Trailer/Movie - Thoughts?

[Indiana Sev]

I saw the trailer for the movie Miracle at the cinema tonight which is about the incredible victory of the underdog American hockey team over the Russians at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics.

I can't wait to see this. First of all, we don't get nearly enough hockey movies (and when we do, they're usually shite!). Second of all, this is a true story and a very inspirational one at that. Very timely too as their head coach Herb Brooks died in a car accident a few months ago. It might be a very fitting tribute to the man.

http://trailers.ugo.com/posters/miracle.jpg

So, I'm dying to know the opinions of the sports fans here on this movie/trailer. Are you looking forward to it or do you think it looks like a dud?

I'm there opening night myself.

For those who haven't seen it, the trailer can be viewed/downloaded at the address below on this site.

See: Miracle

http://www.joblo.com/movietrailers2Mi.htm

Oh, and including "Dream On" by Aerosmith and "Don't Fear The Reaper" by Blue Oyster Cult in the trailer...pure fuckin' GENIUS!!!!

I'm sooooo there!!! :)

[Moviefan1234]

I agree, Sev. I love Kurt Russell, and he really looks like he plays the part well. I'm really hoping it's a good movie, it certainly appears as if they did things right. When was the last good hockey movie?

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
When was the last good hockey movie?

The only great hockey movie was Slap Shot (1977).

[Morgana]

I suppose I'd like to see this, just because I'm a fan of hockey. But to be honest, I'd like to see Slap Shot first...it's been many years since I've seen it (maybe 20 or so), and back then I wasn't into hockey. So a lot of it went over my head. I think it would make for a nice double header rental movie night: Slap Shot and Miracle. If Miracle turns out a dud, at least Slap Shot won't disappoint.

[A.J. Hakari]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
The only great hockey movie was Slap Shot (1977).

Are you forgetting the pure genius that was SLAP SHOT 2? Gary Busey and Stephen Baldwin? God himself couldn't have chosen a better cast of towering giants in acting.

Sorry, been hittin' the bug powder...

On topic, I saw the trailer when I caught THE HAUNTED MANSION, and I must say that it looks pretty good. I enjoyed REMEMBER THE TITANS and THE ROOKIE, so with this, Disney could score a hat trick (ba-dum-tss) of decent sports flicks. I met one of the guys who was on the team back in June when I was helping my brother get autographs. I forget his name, but he seemed like a nice dude.

[blankpage]

Oh yeah, I'm there. It could get a bit Disney-ish, but being a hockey man, I'll be there. I hope it does really well, we need more hockey movies!

[Clarkey07]

I'll be there...it looks good. But it is an American team, which gets me thinking: let's make a movie that involves a Canadian national team winning a big game or series. Like the Summit Series in 72 or even the Gold Medal game in 2002. After all, it is our sport. But I'm just fantasizing...but it could happen...I hope.

[Grebdron]

Hockey?

Check.

1980 Miracle on Ice?

Check.

Kurt Russell?

***Shudder***

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by Grebdron
Kurt Russell?

***Shudder***

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat??!!

Everybody is a Kurt Russell fan. Plus he loves hockey in real life and makes his kids play it and everything.

Kurt Russell is one of the selling points of this movie. At least we'll know he knows what he's talking about. Also he's a cool guy. :cool:

[blankpage]

In the past week or so, I've seen the trailer attached to trois movies! Each time, getting a tingly feeling (no, not in the pants). The trailer is excellent, and is getting great coverage, I think. I sure hope it's a hit. If I give anything lower than a 7/10 to this movie, there'll be hell to pay. That's how excited I am.


Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy!!!

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by blankpage
In the past week or so, I've seen the trailer attached to trois movies! Each time, getting a tingly feeling (no, not in the pants). The trailer is excellent, and is getting great coverage, I think. I sure hope it's a hit. If I give anything lower than a 7/10 to this movie, there'll be hell to pay. That's how excited I am.


Oh boy, Oh boy, Oh boy!!!

Dude, I'm telling you, it's going to be great. It's all about that Aerosmith song in the trailer - played at the perfect moment, gives you chills all over.

Too cool.

[blankpage]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Dude, I'm telling you, it's going to be great. It's all about that Aerosmith song in the trailer - played at the perfect moment, gives you chills all over.

Too cool.


Do you feel like a little school girl? I know I do! ;)

[CyclicNightmare]

Originally posted by Moviefan1234
When was the last good hockey movie?
How can you for get the Holy Trilogy.... THE MIGHTY DUCKS!!!

[The Delfonics]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
The only great hockey movie was Slap Shot (1977).

Bullshite, the ENTIRE Mighty Ducks trilogy is gold. I watch em all the time.

"Miracle" looks simply amazing. They screened this movie a long ass time ago (Maybe a year ago?) here in Buffalo because of how close this happened. I didnt get to see it but I heard great things. Looks great.

[ToRontoRon]

Originally posted by Clarkey07
I'll be there...it looks good. But it is an American team, which gets me thinking: let's make a movie that involves a Canadian national team winning a big game or series. Like the Summit Series in 72 or even the Gold Medal game in 2002. After all, it is our sport. But I'm just fantasizing...but it could happen...I hope.

The Summit Series of 1972 was just about as dramatic a series as you can get. That might look good on the silver screen.

[Indiana Sev]

Miracle - 8/10

I just saw a preview screening of this tonight and I give it an 8. Now, it is important to note that I am a huge hockey fan and I was awaiting a well-made hockey movie for a long time - and this was it. Under different circumstances I would give this a strong 7 but I've opted for a weak 8 instead. :D

Despite being a Disney film, there were hardly any cornball moments and the movie ended up being a tremendous tribute to the hard work and dedication the late Herb Brooks and his 20 players put into their game during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

It was also very cool to hear references to many past and present NHLers and there may have even been a cameo or two*. ;)

*Habs fans from the eighties take particular note. :cool:

Anyway, this is a must-see for any true hockey fan and even though the underdog story is a bit worn out by now (with so many previous movies done about teams like this) the movie nevertheless kept me very interested the whole way through.

Kurt Russell was simply superb in his role as Herb Brooks.

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Miracle - 8/10

I just saw a preview screening of this tonight and I give it an 8. Now, it is important to note that I am a huge hockey fan and I was awaiting a well-made hockey movie for a long time - and this was it. Under different circumstances I would give this a strong 7 but I've opted for a weak 8 instead. :D

Despite being a Disney film, there were hardly any cornball moments and the movie ended up being a tremendous tribute to the hard work and dedication the late Herb Brooks and his 20 players put into their game during the 1980 Winter Olympics.

It was also very cool to hear references to many past and present NHLers and there may have even been a cameo or two*. ;)

*Habs fans from the eighties take particular note. :cool:

Anyway, this is a must-see for any true hockey fan and even though the underdog story is a bit worn out by now (with so many previous movies done about teams like this) the movie nevertheless kept me very interested the whole way through.

Kurt Russell was simply superb in his role as Herb Brooks.

Seems very interesting I will probably go see this I like Hockey movies.

[Indiana Sev]

Originally posted by horrorfreak13
Seems very interesting I will probably go see this I like Hockey movies.

Speaking of hockey movies, any of you guys ever see Youngblood? I rented it a few weeks back - it fucking sucks.

[bmain77]

I can't wait to see Miracle. I had my doubts as first, but after seeing the trailer several times the past few days I'm pretty geeked to see it.

Also, I wonder if Al Michaels is making any money off the title of the film.

As far as good hockey movies go, I personally love Mystery, Alaska. In my book it is one of the most underrated movies of recent years.

[jackson13]

Im not sure if I wanna see this or not. Personally, I dont think hockey movies will get any better than the Mighty Ducks trilogy, but also, its not like I dont know who's gonna win. I mean, im not gonna walk in the theater, sit on the edge of my seat, and erupt in standing ovation type clapping once USA wins and jump up and down screaming "I had no idea that was going to happen!". On second thought, maybe I should go and do exactly that.

[Moviefan1234]

Great to see that this is a good movie. I can't wait to see it. Everytime I see the TV spot or trailer I get goosebumps and a lump in my throat.

[Nate6]

I love Kurt Russell. I love hockey. Yes, I'll see this.

Great review, Sev! You got me even more excited!

[horrorfreak13]

Originally posted by Indiana Sev
Speaking of hockey movies, any of you guys ever see Youngblood? I rented it a few weeks back - it fucking sucks.

I've seen it and I didn't mind it. I still put Slap Shot at the top for hockey movies and then the Mighty Ducks trilogy.

[mikeyD]

Great review, I'm looking forward to seeing this.

[ukcats]

The trailer for Miracle, Trailer here (http://www.comingsoon.net/movies/m/miracle.php), gives me the chills every time I see it. This movie looks like the feel-good movie of the year if you ask me. No better way to beat the winter doldrums than to see something as uplifting as this appears to be.

[jackson13]

Im even less interested in seeing it after the tv spot I just saw.

It was set to 'We will rock you' with shots of team USA interspersed. Um yeah, I do believe that 'D2: The Mighty Ducks' used the exact same thing in their trailers when it came out. They were Team USA and they used 'We will rock you' as their song first! Disney is ripping off its own movies!

[ukcats]

There is no way that you can honesly say that the trailer for this movie does not get you pumped up. I'm not the biggest hockey fan in the world, yet I can't wait to see Miracle. Kurt Russell+USA+Sports=One heckuva movie!

[mikeyD]

I'm not a big hockey fan either but how can you not be excited after seeing that trailer? Talk about some good ole American rock music.

[outsyder]

One of the greatest hockey movies I have ever seen.


Take THAT, Mystery, Alaska!:D


Slap Shot is still the holy grail of hockey movies.

[blankpage]

Saw it. Loved it. Here's my full review:



Miracle (8/10)


Starring: Kurt Russell, Patricia Clarkson, Noah Emmerich
Directed by: Gavin O’Connor
Rated: PG (Mature Themes)


Story: Based on the real life 1980 “Miracle on Ice” Olympic team that beat the Soviet Union team in the semi-final.


Review: Many people who know me, know I love movies. Duh. Movies are my first passion, hobby, etc. That part is pretty obvious. After movies, it is sports. But to be more specific, it is hockey. Growing up in Canada, it was bound to happen. Movies and hockey are the two things that I love most. Unfortunately, there haven’t been too many movies that successfully combined the two. With the exception of ‘Slap Shot’, and the childhood favourite, ‘The Mighty Ducks’. So, really, I’d just have that the two stay apart. Sure, it would’ve been nice to see a good hockey movie, but I didn’t know when that day was going to come. Well, back in November, my prayers were answered...almost. Word of this movie was just getting to my neck of the woods, and when they did...I decided to play some hockey (no, I don’t have much of a life...). But seriously, folks...I was really excited. I never witnessed the “Miracle on Ice” team, but being a hockey fan, I obviously knew what happened (I like to do my research...once again, no life...). And even though I wasn’t there, and I wasn’t American (a little harder for me to care...) the story sure did fascinate. And that man Herb Brooks scared me half to death. But I still had respect for him, even though I wasn’t there. So, having said all that, I was still excited to see this story put on screen. Obviously, I wouldn’t care which story it was, as long as it was hockey. All I needed next was a trailer. Well, I saw the trailer near the end of November, and I was as excited as a little school girl. The trailer was great, and the film looked great. The only thing that worried me is how cliché the film was going to be. I know that it was a true story, but I was hoping it wouldn’t follow the exact same kind of formula these inspirational sports movies do. ‘Miracle’ proved to me that it is possible to have a good hockey movie, it also proved to me that there could be a great one, too.

Having Kurt Russell play the role of Herb Brooks is something most hockey fans would dream of (or maybe it’s just me). It’s pretty obvious that he’d fit the role perfectly. He is also a pretty big hockey fan, so that just adds to the coolness. Plus, he’s Mr. Cool himself. Now, that would be the dream. That dream was granted. And like all of the stuff I stated before, it was all granted, too. He did fit this role perfectly. He brought mucho coolness, and mucho chops. He really seemed like Herb Brooks to me. He was Herb Brooks. He was transformed. Look who’s being clichéd now! But, I’m telling you, he really was good. He brought grit, toughness, and coolness to the screen. Few scenes you would see him smile, or show emotion. There were times that I really hated this guy (AGAIN!! You’ll see what I mean...), and there were times when I REALLY hated this guy. But, obviously, I could see his point of view in why he was doing what he was doing. There were times during the film where this crazy thought was put in my head, “Kurt Russell, one of the top 5 best performances by the end of the year”. Of course, it is only early February, and there could be some actors that outdo him...but you never know. Overall, this Kurt was awesome. He mixed it up with his all around coolness, and taking it back with some Herb Brooks. What more could you want people?!?!

The supporting cast was decent, but they were mostly overshadowed by Kurt Russell. To me, Patricia Clarkson was more of a distraction in the story. Sure, she may have added some more ‘pressure’ toward Brooks when it came to his family, but I surely didn’t see her point in being there. Having said that, she was pretty decent. She played the role of concerned mother/wife of coach role. She could’ve been cut out, but what the heck. But, Noah Emmerich was especially strong in the supporting role. Especially out of all of the team. He played the American goalie. Hm, goalie, my favourite position...how...very...odd. But he was really strong. I was able to believe that he was a goalie. His “subplot” was most likely the most interesting, too. I hope Noah gets a little bit of recognition, because he was quite good. The rest of the supporting actors really didn’t get enough screen time for me to judge them well enough. Sure, they were there a lot as a group, but not much individually.

My complaints are limited, but there still are some. I found that there were too many characters the film was trying to focus on. Now obviously I understand that this is a film about hockey, and there are many guys who take up a roster, but not everyone had to be focused on. Now the problem with that idea is that there are so many characters too focus on, we just loose track of them, and eventually, so does the story. And when we are focused on them, it is very limited. There were a few characters in whom I was interested in, and only one of them was successfully fulfilled. But, that one was done very well nonetheless. I also had a little bit of trouble getting into the film at first. The first twenty minutes or so were a bit slow. The characters weren’t developed well enough, and I was starting to think that this film was going to be rather disappointing. Luckily, the film did pick up. But the first 20 minutes were slow. The film was a bit choppy and messy, but it was made up for.

I think many will be surprised at how non-clichéd this is. Obviously, it does have some a few clichéd moments, but for the most part it was all real. You felt for the characters, but not because of the music playing in the background, or those awful shots that sometimes get a person. The coach, Herb Brooks, was really hard knox, and he pushed the men. So, we feel for them. But in a real way. Of course, towards the end, it does get a little melodramatic, but for a good cause. Obviously you can get a little emotional over one of the greatest moments in hockey history. Whether your American or not. And even though we already know what’s going to happen, and there isn’t much tension, there still is a sense of good feeling in the end. Probably more so if you’re an American, and happen to be a hockey fan. And even though I am not American, and wasn’t there, it got a little teary eyed. Why? Because it was real.

There is a line at the end of the movie that kind of sums things up, it goes like this.

Dedicated to Herb Brooks who died during principle shooting.
He did not see the movie. He lived it.

And that’s why we feel so good, but don’t feel manipulated about it. It happened, and it was an achievement. It was a great line to sum up everything.

A great movie in the early months of the year. A great hockey movie rarely comes along at all. To have the two combined is a real treat. ‘Miracle’ is in fact great. And I really don’t think you have to be a die hard hockey fan to enjoy it. It gives us real emotion, and we’re not afraid to feel it.

[Morgana]

I just saw Miracle today, and as a hockey fan I really enjoyed it. I almost felt like I was watching a whole game of hockey. My favorite line had had to have been the one from Al Michaels: "Many people probably don't know the difference between the red line and a clothesline, but that's not what matters tonight." :D

I'd give Miracle a strong 7/10, and I'd recommend to all fans of hockey.