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

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