I’ve never really been able to get into hockey. I think I should enjoy it thoroughly but it always seemed too much like basketball for white folks. Maybe the action is too fast, maybe there’s no discernable strategy, maybe it’s just because I don’t understand it.
But Miracle is a hell of a film whether you like hockey or not. Naturally it would help if you enjoyed the sport, the ice sequences are amazing. I actually had to stop myself several times from leaping up and cheering. At at least two points I did react out loud to amazing moves. The people sitting behind me really loved that.
Kurt Russell makes the film. For the first time I can think of the man actually acts. He completely becomes Herb Brooks and you really feel his pain when cutting players, his determination to win and his love of the game. Completely believable, totally Oscar-worthy.
I wouldn’t call it a “run, don’t walk” sort of movie but if you need to get out of the house during the winter doldrum season and you want some cheering up take the time to check it out. You’ll be cheering “USA! USA!” by the end.