Max Bickley – General Assignment Reporter
Every generation seems to have its share of inspirational sports movies. However, how each one of them performs is an entirely different matter. This past weekend, “Eddie the Eagle” released in theaters starring Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton.
“Eddie the Eagle” details the underdog history of 1988 Winter Olympics participant Michael “Eddie” Edwards, portrayed by Egerton. The movie begins with Edwards’s youth, and details his life up to the 1988 the Winter Olympics.
The movie itself is one of those feel-good stories that warms the heart, showing the story of Edwards who is constantly told throughout the movie that he cannot be an Olympian, or if he is, he will never succeed. That being said, that is one of the movies greatest strengths is playing to that vibe of being an inspiring movie. Also there is a fair level of humor in the movie which keeps the atmosphere light even though it contains negativity.
The actors involved do a fair job, especially in the case of Taron Egerton who plays Edwards. Egerton’s first major role was in “Kingsman: the Secret Service” as a rough-and-tumble cockney spy, and this transition in his second major motion appearance does him well. Egerton’s portrayal of Edwards shows that he has a lot more potential than just a funny action star; Egerton has some serious moments of character in the movie and it works well.
Co-starring with Egerton is Hugh Jackman who, while in previous years has not had the most box-office breaking movies, does a good job filling the role of the mentor for Edwards. Jackman plays the typical begrudged mentor who is need of redemption, and he brings some good life to a played-out role. He and Egerton have a good series of interactions, but what it boils down to is the standard “mentor seeking redemption” and “underdog wanting to prove everyone wrong” motif.
“Eddie the Eagle” is a feel-good movie with an admirable plot, humor, and cast. While it may not soar like an eagle, it does a good enough job in the grand-scheme.
Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore