Skip to main content

Dome Pondering Movie Review: Miracle (2004)


What it's about?

The story of Coach Herb Brooks and the 1980 Unites States hockey Olympic team at its journey leading up to one of the greatest upsets in sports history.

Who is in it?

Kurt Russel - Herb Brooks

Patricia Clarkson - Patty Brooks

Noah Emmerich - Craig Patrick

Favorite Scene


After several training and workout scenes where the players introduced themselves, their hometowns and the colleges and university they played for, coach Herb Brooks decides to teach them a lesson after a sub par effort in an exhibition game. Brooks lines them up, and has them skate drills over, and over, each time blowing the whistle and yelling, "again". Finally, after complete and utter exhaustion, Mike Eruzione screams out, "Mike Eruzione! Winthrop, Massachussetts!" Brooks responds, "Who do you play for?" Eruzione says, "The United States of America"

Favorite Quote

Coach Craig Patrick: "You're missing the best players"
Coach Herb Brooks: "I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm looking for the right players.

Review
Miracle is a rare sports movie that had a clear and distinct plot, with one major focus. Albeit a true story, Miracle does a great job of capturing the development of the 1980 United States team, and the progression of the team's chemistry and hard work. Kurt Russell continues the greatness with his portrayal of Coach Herb Brooks as a maniacal, mad scientist of a hockey coach.

The best part about Miracle is the integrity it maintains by capturing and portraying the story and game between the USA and USSR. Miracle, despite being a Disney movie, leaves out the cheesy music, lines, and "sudden surges" of big plays often seen in sports movies. Instead, it gives a lengthy amount of time to the final game with hard hitting action, great camera angles, and a great feel of intensity and suspense, thus truly recreating the moment in Lake Placid.

Grade: 4/5
Labels:

Recent Favorites

50 Wins and the #2 Seed

The New York Knicks are the #2 Seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs.  Unbelievable.  Oh yeah, they also put together an unbelievable fifty-win season to do so.  I've already expressed some thoughts on this season - from the trade of RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley to Julius Randle's injury and obvious absence to the brilliance that was Jalen Brunson - there has been so much to take in, and appreciate.  I can't say it enough - I love this team. THIS team.  Just a few other quick thoughts as we reflect on 50 wins and the #2 seed before heading into a tough first-round series with either the Miami Heat or Philadelphia 76ers:  I know Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the hot narrative for MVP and there is a big-time Serbian in Denver who easily makes a claim for the award once again, but damn it, Jalen Brunson deserves recognition and some lower-place votes. That's all I'm asking for... Speaking of giving flowers to Jalen Brunson, it's about time a real basketball dis
Read more

Sunday Sundown Rundown - 4/14/24

3 Up 1. Gun Control? - Wow. We have somewhat new gun legislation - so it is possible?! Of course, I'm being a bit cheeky in regards to the recent new plan to offer background checks for gun purchases, which really is a big part of the gun control debate. No?  2. Solar Eclipse - I didn't get a chance to experience it, but the idea of it is rather cool. Our world - and universe - is a remarkable experience and thought.  3. Women's Basketball Ratings - The boost continues as women's hoops continue its surge in ratings, interest, and overall star power. It will likely continue next week with the WNBA Draft.  3 Down  1. Iran Missiles on Israel - The entire saga in Gaza continues to get more complex. Throwing Iran into the mix, and now the US intercepting drones and missiles, the entire thing is super sad as innocent people continue to be killed.  2. Tennessee Teachers Carry - Well, just when we thought the gun debate was moving toward a reasonable decision, we get the sta
Read more

Exorcising Demons with a Breen "Double Bang!"

These sorts of moments feel like they don't happen to us.  Well, they happen VERY rarely - I'm talking Larry Johnson's 4-point play-rare. Yeah, it's been THAT long.  But watching this New York Knicks team score eight points in less than thirty-five seconds, including a sequence that will forever live in my fandom, sits right with that LJ garden-rocking shot.  I sat on my couch in absolute shock at what I just saw.  "How the hell did they just win that game?!"  It's the kind of moment this fanbase deserves. It's the moment that releases and exorcises some demons that haunt us from the trauma of experiences.  Namely you, Reggie Miller.  I loved it. And the icing on the cake was Mike Breen - Oh, Mike Breen, the loveable man with the most epic voice that has narrated so much of my basketball-loving fandom - with not one, but two signature "Bang!" calls.  I'll never let this one down. Ever.  I'm not sure where this team will wrap up the se
Read more