A nostalgic look back at Disney’s ‘Cool Runnings’

If you are ever in need of a feel-good movie that actually delivers, “Cool Runnings” is a must-watch or rewatch. This 1993 Disney classic takes you on a wild, icy ride with the unlikeliest team of Olympic hopefuls: Four Jamaican sprinters who decide to compete in bobsledding. Yes, bobsledding. Based (loosely) on the true story of Jamaica’s first bobsled team, this film is heartfelt, hilarious, and surprisingly inspiring.

Right from the start, you are thrown into the vibrant, sun-soaked world of Jamaica. It’s colorful, warm and full of energy which makes the later contrast with the cold, wintry backdrop of Calgary even more striking. 

The film follows Derice Bannock, a serious runner with Olympic dreams, whose chances are dashed when he and two others are tripped during trials. Instead of giving up, he hatches the wild idea of pivoting to bobsledding, roping in his best friend Sanka (a comedic standout), grumpy Yul Brenner and the nervous Junior Bevil. Together, they form a team that has no snow, no sleds and no clue what they are doing.

That is where Irv Blitzer comes in. Played by the legendary John Candy, Irv is a disgraced former bobsledder who reluctantly becomes their coach. Candy brings heart to the film behind his gruff attitude is someone who truly believes in second chances. His performance reminds you why he was so beloved: effortlessly funny but also deeply human.

What makes “Cool Runnings” so memorable is how it never makes the Jamaican team the butt of the joke. Sure, there are plenty of funny moments. Sanka’s exaggerated shivering, their disastrous first runs down the track and their awe at snow but the humor is never mean-spirited. 

You find yourself rooting for them not just because they are underdogs but because they have incredible hearts and they work hard to earn their place on the world stage.

Let’s not ignore the emotional punch. The final scene inspired by the team’s real-life crash at the 1988 Olympics is more powerful than you expect. Instead of giving up, the team lifts their damaged sled and walks it across the finish line. You feel the weight of that moment, the pride, the pain and the unity. It is a rare sports movie moment that goes beyond winning and losing.

Sure, it is cheesy in parts and no, it is not historically accurate but “Cool Runnings” is not trying to be a documentary. It is about spirit, courage and most of all, it is about how far people can go when they believe in themselves (and each other). As Sanka would say: “Feel the rhythm! Feel the rhythm! Get on up — it is bobsled time!”

Maliya Ayambire, reporter

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