Rating: 
Summary: Takes you back to 1980
Review: The only thing better than this movie was the actual event! Rates right up there with other feel good movies about the underdog coming through, like "Seabiscuit" and "Vision Quest". Anyone who remembers the actual event and the feelings that this country felt at the time will get a spiritual uplift by watching it all happen again. And for those who are too young, it'll make you feel like you were there and give you a sense of American Pride at it's most intense. Hurray for the little guy who manages to sling shot a giant!
Rating: 
Summary: A solid sports film.
Review: "Miracle" is like any other sport movie. The only difference that sets them apart is that their triumph is a remarkable true story. What can only be conceived from the minds of Hollywood is actually the story of the 1980 U.S.A. Olympic hockey team that shocked the world by defeating the insurmountable Russians in the semi-finals, known as "the miracle on ice," and then finishing off Finland for the coveted gold medal. "Miracle" is a typical sport movie but it still succeeds because it avoids most sport clichés.Another positive note to "Miracle" is that they treat the game of hockey pretty straight forward. The drills and games are shot realistically with no fanciful things. The opposing teams do not have a unique personality but simply ordinary players like the U.S.A. team with an urge to win. Nothing is ever overdone. Moreover, even though we know the fate of the team and the games, the movie does a fabulous job in maintaining suspense. What the movie does do a bad job on is that it knows where it is heading but leaves the audience behind. What stage are they in? What is the importance of this game? Are they qualifying or are they already in there? These were the sorts of question that I asked myself during the courses of their game. In spite of all the clichés and mismanagement of certain plot points, Kurt Russell alone is worth the price of admission. It is always fascinating to see an obsessive coach but even more intriguing knowing that he is a real person. "Miracle" certainly is a feel-good movie and it will leave a proud grin in your face. With the wonderful performance of Kurt Russell and a director (Gavin O'Connor) that did his best in directing an original film based on clichés, it is no "miracle" that this movie succeeds.
Rating:
Summary: Truly a Miracle...
Review: I had seen the HBO documentary about the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team and heard a lot of interviews from the actual players. When I was told a movie was being made I could hardly wait until February 2004 to see it. It is amazing how exact the movie is in comparison to the documentary. And yes, like many others, I also teared up when the announcer counted down the last few seconds and then proclaimed those famous words..."Do you believe in miracles...yes!" The director did an excellent job. I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Miracle...which my brother is getting me for my birthday.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie - but release the game ABC!!
Review: This is a fantastic movie, especially for those who saw the game back in 1980 and know how big of a deal it really was. I can see how younger people may not really get it. And now with millionaire pros playing in the Olympics it is impossible for something this inspirational to ever happen again. The perfect DVD extra would have been to include the actual game. I taped it a few years ago from ESPN classic and have written to ESPN to request that they put it out on DVD. I don't understand why they don't. If they had packaged it with 'Miracle' they would sell tens of thousands more copies of it. This is one of the greatest marketing blunders of all time.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie but missing some important points
Review: Being a hockey player I went into this movie a little biased and knew I was going to like it no matter what, and I did. Though I was fairly young at the time this event took place it's nice to know that I can say that I was around when it happened. Even though you know what the outcome of the final game is going to be, the moive makers did a very good job of creating the suspense of the slow moving clock in the last game. I'm a little dissappointed in the ending and how they just kind of glossed over the Gold Medal game against Finland like it was less important. There was probably just as much drama in that game that could've been shown as there was in the USA vs USSR game. If you ever get a chance, watch the HBO documentary special on the 1980 USA hockey team. That has interviews with Herb Brooks and a handful of the players and press people from both sides. It brings tears to my eyes each time I see the US players discribing for themselves how they beat the Soviets. In the HBO special, Herb Brooks talks about being cut from the 1960 USA hockey team at the last hours before the Olympics and how he was sitting with his Dad watching the US win the gold. His dad turned to him and said "It looks like the cut the right guy".
To me, a little flash back in the beginning of the movie showing that would have really played up that stoyline better then the 1980 players just talking about it the locker room.
Rating:
Summary: The Most Amazing Motivating Movie I've Ever Seen
Review: Kurt Russell is absolutely amazing. They(the directors) made you feel like Herb Brooks was sitting in the room with you. It was so intense, motivating, it's not just for hockey players or hockey teams, but you could use it if you we're a teacher and your kids weren't responding well to a task. Show them this movie(it's O.K. it's PG) and they will respond better than they ever did before. It's a life changing movie.
My Hockey Team was losing bad... I went to see this movie with my girlfriend, the next night I told all the guys we should see it together. We did and from that point on we went undefeated and made they playoffs. Something that looked so out of reach the night before, was suddenly there! Go get this movie immediatly.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best movies I've seen in a while
Review: Disney just has some magical touch with hockey movies. Miracle was fantastic. In just over 2 hours, they show a great progression, from the drive and motivation of Herb Brooks bringing together a unique lineup of players (several who greatly dislike each other) and mold them into a team like no other. The hockey action is top notch, and you will find yourself cheering along at the end. This is a movie for everyone, and everyone should see it!
Rating:
Summary: The greatest sports upset ever!
Review: The movie is great even if you aren't familiar with story. It is one of the greatest underdog stories ever. It's like a College team beating the Bulls with Jordan, or the Lakers with Magic and Kareem. Plus add in the problems we had with the Russian government at the time. I agree with schoduck that the actual game when they beat the Russians should be on this DVD or at least available. There is a DVD with some highlights and too much commentary. The Russian team beat our NHL all-star teams and crushed the Olympic team prior to the Olympics in 1980. The movie is very good too bad coach Herb Brooks died before it was released. I was a 9 year old when the US won, and it still blows me away to this day. The only way the accomplishment could have been surpassed is if it was the Gold medal game.
Rating:
Summary: Best Sports Movie Ever
Review: I have to admit, I am laughing out loud at the people that gave this film a bad rating. Not because they didn't like it for whatever reason. Not everyone is expedted to like everything. But if you notice, when they try to say why it wasn't good, they go off on a tangent on something else. They try to deflect from the film itself by making the strangest, most out place comments about a movie. This isn't just about hockey. One person said: "Too slow for children.". Someone else said: "Herb Brooks was mean". Nahhh, really? Herb, mean? I don't even think these people should be allowed to have computers. Scary stuff. Number one, who cares if it's "too slow for children" Put them to bed and get over yourself. Number two, Herb Brooks WAS mean, but in case you missed it every player he ever coached had IMMENSE respect for him because he didn't coach that way to fuel an ego, he did it because it was his style and it worked time and time again. Herb Brooks was a very interesting and complex person and this movie did a nice job of illustrating that. This film is very close to accurate (only the O'Callhan hit on McClanahn in their first practice was not a factual event in an attempt to further insinuate the hatred between some of the players on the team. The Minnesota and Boston players had quite the rivalry.) and the WAY it was filmed is very impressive. You really get to see the relationships between the players and the coach develop. You also get great insight inside the personality of Herb Brooks. This movie is an exact historical chronological layout of Team USA's run for Olympic gold medal. One that they never supposedly had a chance at. I think the real test of this film is, the game and the story is so amazing you half expect to go into the theater expecting to be let down because we all know the result. It can't be as good as the real thing, right? This film comes as close as you can imagine. People were standing up in theaters cheering and no one moved from their seat when it was over. That speaks volumes. The speech Herb gives in the locker room before the game against the Soviets I have read before, and to see it be depicted on film is very moving. I don't cry at films, but I did at this one. I also saw it 3 times and it was great on all 3 trips. The one thing I said walking out of the theater was "you don't even have to like hockey to appreciate this". That's exactly why it's a great film. Only the people who missed the point see it as one dimensional. Superb. It's Kurt Russell's best role to boot. Also, this movie had the players from that team in awe of how accurate it was. It's been blessed up and down many times over by the members of the team. Check it out.
Rating:
Summary: A great inspiration to all!
Review: My kids and I went to see this film and it's a shame that not everyone went out to see it. It's a great film, a very inspirational story for everyone who are trying to achieve their goals and dreams. My children are both hockey fanatics and extremely enjoyed the movie. I loved Kurt Russell's potrayal of the coach and what a great actor! This DVD is a must buy for everyone. I'm getting two copies. One for me and for my kids.
| 
