Review of Eddie the Eagle (2016) by Chris W — 18 Sep 2016

If you've seen the preview for Eddie the Eagle, then you probably know exactly what to expect from the film. In fact the biggest shortcoming of Eddie the Eagle is the fact that it is completely predictable and by-the-numbers.

There's really nothing original here, it's just the classic sports story of someone with a dream who works hard and earns respect through his actions. If you've seen Cool Runnings then you've seen Eddie the Eagle, except better.

A big mistake by the film-makers was the fact that they even mention the Jamaican bobsled team in passing and instantly I thought "Oh yeah, I could be watching that movie and it's so much better.

" That's not to say that this movie is bad. I've always been a fan of sports movies and the story of an underdog who defies everyone's expectations is going to give you some warm fuzzies no matter what.

I thought Taron Egerton was engaging and likable as Eddie, and Hugh Jackman was extraordinarily charming as the fictitious coach. The humor was weak, I didn't laugh out loud until one point at the very end (a scene that felt like it was plucked out of a Matthew Vaughn film.

..Hmmm he was a producer on this one.) Eddie the Eagle is a perfectly acceptable movie, the kind that people will enjoy if they catch it on HBO or something on a Friday night at home, it's just not something that I think anyone should go out of their way to see.