Review of Hoosiers (1986) by Ryan M — 22 May 2012
This is one of the greatest sports films of all time. It has all the ingredients to make an ideal underdog story, and not just for the team but the coach as well. His uphill climb toward acceptance is just as engaging as the diversity that the team faces. In fact all of the main characters have intriguing stories which keeps this from being only about basketball. It is a character drama that just happens to revolve around the sport of basketball.
However the basketball is a primary focus, and they get it so right. This movie is almost a celebration of the early days of high school basketball. The way that the coach trains, and the way the game looks and feels is so authentic. It makes me nostalgic for the simpler days of sports. Then they add in so much emotional drama in the games that it frequently sends chills of excitement up my spine. Sure it's classic predictable underdog stuff, but it just makes you feel so good while watching.
The one complaint I might have is that the movie frequently slows down the pace a little too much. While it adds some character depth to Norman Dale, the romantic subplot is unnecessary. However there's something charming about the relaxed pace of this film. They just don't make movies like this anymore, especially not sports movies. Hoosiers is a true classic that is loaded with memorable moments and famous lines. If I were making a list of the greatest sports films ever made, this would be near the top.
This review of Hoosiers (1986) was written by Ryan M on 22 May 2012.
Hoosiers has generally received very positive reviews.
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