Miracle
1980 was a tenuous time in America. President Carter was losing the country and his own job to outside pressures. Energy was in short supply and the economy was weakening. But most importantly, the Soviet Union was continuing to show its dominance. This time, it was through their hockey team. The 1980 Winter Olympics were being held in Lake Placid, N.Y. and Team USA needed a strong showing. To do this, officials bring in a college coach named Herb Brooks from Minnesota, wonderfully played by Kurt Russell. But instead of recruiting the best and brightest from America's teams, Brooks chooses to follow the Soviet Union's example and creates a team of players who are quick and can work hard. It's tough going as these players are growing wary of what Brooks demands of them but soon the message is abundantly clear, especially after two key losses on the way to a semifinal match against the hated Soviet Union team.

This is easily the best movie released so far this year. Movies are meant to be about the personalities they put forth onto the screen and here, a colorful group is offered from all walks of life and showcases the magic created on its way toward an improbable gold medal. It's too bad there were too many people they could've focused on that by the end of the film, you're unlikely to remember the majority of the players on the team. Instead, it's just Herb Brooks and everyone else. Russell alone really makes the film go and they've done a great job in getting straight to the hockey instead of boring us with pointless stories like three Mighty Ducks films have done. Do you believe in miracles? I do. After watching this film, I really do. 3.5 stars