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:

Recently Read

Predictions and Wild Guesses for the 2025 MLB Season

Well, after that off-season where the Dodgers deferred enough money to build the Athletics a new ballpark, it's time for the remaining fanbases who don't have Guggenheim money to hope for the best. Even with Opening Day finally here, it's the only time of the year we can actually pretend everyone has a chance, and hope feels, well, somewhat authentic.  White Sox fans, how are we feeling?  As we do every year around these parts, I'm throwing out some predictions and wild guesses for the upcoming MLB 2025 season.  Good luck, White Sox.  --- STANDINGS (WIN) AL EAST  Yankees - 92 Red Sox - 90 Orioles - 88 Rays - 85 Blue Jays - 82 AL CENTRAL Royals - 90 Tigers - 90 Guardians - 88 Twins - 87 White Sox - 65 AL WEST Rangers - 92 Astros - 92 Athletics - 86 Mariners - 85 Angels - 77 NL EAST Phillies - 94 Mets - 92 Braves - 88 Nationals - 78 Marlins - 75 NL CENTRAL Cubs - 88 Brewers - 88 Reds - 87 Pirates - 83 Cardinals - 80 NL WEST Dodgers - 96 Diamondbacks - 90 Padres - ...
Read more

Quick Ponder: My Island Vibes

I would love to have an island, of all the people,  who brought great vibes to my life - past and present.  My island would be amazing. 
Read more

The Madness is Maddening

There is a lot that can be said about the state of college athletics, particularly basketball. NIL has surely shaken the foundation that once grounded college sports for the product that we see today. There is a lot that can be said, and lots of conversations that can be extended for hours of thoughtful dialogue (by the right people).  The current March Madness playing out - on both sides - has plenty of thoughts (and mostly feelings) bouncing around in my mind (and heart).  Just a few:  I really do love how much the Women's game has grown and improved. In various ways, the pureness of the game itself is often more enjoyable than the current men's game.  Despite the growth, the lopsided scores in the first two rounds are evident of a still top-end talent pool. Overall, there is room for growth in talent around the country. The "student-athlete" in this space is on life support. In many ways it's dead.  It's outright sad to see programs that have zero continuit...
Read more