A good test of a film, especially one that depicts a well-known historical event, is for it to be tense and entertaining. It is funny how history can make for great drama. Films like Apollo 13, Braveheart and Patton are great examples of this. When they are lesser-known events, it can be a bit easier, like The Great Raid, Rob Roy or Argo. But it is possible to screw it up, like MacArthur. Miracle is one of those that fall in the middle. It is a very entertaining film and hits all the right notes, but in the end, falls a little flat. That is not a criticism, it is just not a great film. There are other sports films I liked better, like Rocky or Brian's Song, but I liked it and was engaged throughout the whole film.
For those of you who don't know, the movie is a dramatization of the "Miracle on ice" in the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid where the extreme underdogs USA Hockey team beat the undisputed world champion hockey team from the USSR. The movie covers the whole story from the selection of the coach, Herb Brooks (played understated by Kurt Russell), through the awarding of the gold medals to the USA team on the podium. It is fun to watch how the team evolves from a group of individuals to a team. It is a bit of a cliche, and other movies have shown the process better, like Cool Runnings, but it is a fun film. Especially if you grew up in the USA during the Cold War and remember watching the game, it may bring a swell of pride. The final game is tense and fun for anyone. You don't have to be a huge sports or hockey fan to enjoy it, and while it is a famous event, many people probably have not seen it, so this is a fun movie. Check it out, you might like it.
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