Looks like the Avalanche may have more than they can handle with Detroit in the second round of the Stanley Cup hockey playoffs. But even if they make it past the Dead Wings, and here’s hoping, there are still off-nights in hockey when the sports fans in the family need a fix.
If you choose the terrific true-sports movie “Miracle,” you can invite everyone into the living room, not just the die-hard hockey lovers. The story of the seemingly impossible U.S. Olympic team’s run to the gold medal in 1980 is a well-made drama full of personality and perseverance, as well as all those flying pucks.
Amateurs beating the world- class Russkies was almost too unbelievable to make into a movie — even after it happened. Disney waited until 2004 to produce a full drama out of the fairy tale. And they chose the right man for the toughest job, that of portraying the oddly intense Minnesota hockey legend Herb Brooks. Kurt Russell captures the coach’s mind games and player development without histrionics or false notes, letting the grand story tell itself.
There is the right amount of scene-setting first, some quick shots and newsreels to show how much the U.S. psyche was reeling from inflation, the Cold War and domestic scandal. It’s enough to give the movie depth for your kids, but not so much they’ll get bored and walk away.
And then there’s the hockey — filmmakers decided to train real hockey players how to act instead of asking actors to learn how to skate. The results feel just right, since real-life hockey players generally aren’t all that demonstrative anyway. The game and practice re-creations hit home.
Now that all the world’s pros play Olympic hockey, “Miracle” is a story that can’t be repeated. But it can be relived, in a solid and inspiring family film.
“Miracle”
PG for mild language and sports action/hitting. Best suited for anyone in the family over age 6, all sports drama fans.
