Rated PG-13 for some suggestive material, partial nudity and smoking.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Taron Egerton and Christopher Walken
Directed by Dexter Fletcher
Brilliant!
Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is a feel-good story about Michael “Eddie” Edwards (Taron Egerton), an unlikely but courageous British ski-jumper who never stopped believing in himself – even as an entire nation was counting him out. With the help of a rebellious and charismatic coach (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie takes on the establishment and wins the hearts of sports fans around the world by making an improbable and historic showing at the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
Like so many sports films that are based on true stories, Eddie the Eagle in an incredible story. It’s moving, powerful and wonderfully inspiring. I loved watching this with my family and immediately watching real clips of Eddie on YouTube. I absolutely love his story.
Taron Egerton plays the loveable underdog Eddie perfectly. You can’t help but cheer for him and admire his never say die attitude. It’s also near impossible not to feel incredibly sorry for him as you watch so many people make fun of him and/or tell him to quit. Eddie may not be a superhero…but he is a hero and I am so thankful this movie was made.
Hugh Jackman brings his star power to the film and lifts it out of average and into excellence. He is funny, tragic and inspiring…sometimes all at the same time. And the Christopher Walken cameo is spot on.
Dexter Fletcher may not have the longest resume, but he knocked this one out of the park. The timing is flawless and the balance between laughs and tender moments is absolutely perfect.
Like Eddie’s story, this film is a bit of an underdog, but I highly recommend it. It’s “Theater Worthy.”
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Although there is no sex or nudity shown, Jackman’s character seems to be involved in every vice known to man. The language gets a little salty but the violence is on the mild side.
CONVERSATIONS STARTER:
- What was Eddies’ dream?
- How many times did he fail?
- What do you think motivated him to keep trying?
- What are some of your dreams?
- What are some barriers?
- What must you do to overcome those barriers?
Read Romans 5:3-5
3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
Jonathan McKee
Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.