Eddie the Eagle

So even ski jumping has its own "Rudy". The funny and determined Eddie Egerton and his moustache will grow on you from his first childhood attempts to win an Olympic medal. The first priority here is fun, the filmmakers correctly understood that trying to push the dramatic envelope with a storyline where the protagonist breaks funny records all the time would not be the happiest way to go. Thanks to this, the film has a drive that doesn't lose even towards the end. Featuring a central musical motif from the early Zimmer days when Eddie entertained the world at the Olympics, it will entertain you just as well today. (2016-03-27)

A silly family story about a moron following his dream. It's hard to see what this is actually doing in A-list filmmaking, because you're not going to get a more clichéd story this year. Hugh Jackman's character is utterly predictable and, more importantly, severely boring and uninteresting. Taron Egerton plays someone that is supposed to be endearing and we are supposed to sympathise with him, but it doesn't happen. The attempt to recreate the non-confrontational attitude and lightweight drama of Cool Runnings is eye-rolling and annoying, because this patchwork has neither charm nor a interesting story. The only thing that saves it from a total collapse are a few good moments and a really novel ski jumping theme. (2016-06-11)

I’m really quite sad that I only got around to seeing Eddie the Eagle now, because it’s truly fantastic entertainment all around! I’m quite fond of biographical films, especially those where the main character can tick the SYMPATHETIC box. This real-life story really touched my heart, as I also believe that one should chase their dreams, even if the path is often very thorny. Taron Egerton excelled in the role of ski jumper Eddie; I felt every moment of joy and failure with him. Hugh Jackman in the supporting role added that extra bit of humor. Simply put, it’s a "feel-good" movie that probably never aimed for Oscars, but on the other hand, I really didn’t expect such a pleasant watch. And the finale in Calgary at the 1988 Winter Olympics—I was rooting for Eddie with all my might! The producer supervision by Matthew Vaughn was evident at every turn! Luxurious! For me, it’s 8.5/10. (2021-08-29)

The famous Calgary Olympics did not only have the Jamaican bobsledders, but also – of course – the English ski jumper Eddie Eagle Edwards. And just like the Jamaican bobsledders, he was able to draw all the attention to himself and this movie is about that. I liked the way this movie tells Eddie’s story with absolutely no embellishments. Eddie is introduced as a sort of a silly dreamer who wants to get to the Olympics, so he learns to ski jump in a year and somehow qualifies for the Olympics. In a single year. He must have really embarrassed all the professional ski jumpers who have been training since they were 6 years old; he truly did, in all his splendor. And the amazing drunkard Hugh Jackman has helped him so well that I had the feeling like I was watching Cool Runnings for the first time. That’s also why the Jamaican flag was mentioned in one of the scenes, because the most important thing isn’t really winning, but taking part. And even though the athletes have it complicated, the flying Finn said it very nicely at the end of the movie. (2016-11-07)

A heart-warmer and feelgood movie. Eddie is one stubborn mule who wins over the viewer. Egerton is marvelous, somewhere on the edge between reality and a nice version for the masses, and Jackman’s role is fits him like a glove. The jump with the cigarette was brilliant. Precise direction and a screenplay that sticks to reality, 80’s synth music, great atmosphere and Garmisch-Partenkirchen... I wondered at the jumping ramps as a kid. (2016-05-01)