Eddie the Eagle (2016)

"Eddie the Eagle" stars Taron Egerton, Hugh Jackman, Christopher Walken, and Jo Hartley. Released on February 26, 2016, the film is about a British skier who dreams of competing in the 1988 Winter Olympics.

The film is directed by Dexter Fletcher, who also directed Wild Bill and Sunshine on Leith. It is based on a true story about Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, who became the first competitor to represent Great Britain in Olympic ski jumping in 1988. When it comes to inspirational films, I usually watch them to see a certain type of person accomplish their dreams despite many obstacles that were laid in their path. Whether it's Jackie Robinson becoming the first African-American baseball player to break the color barrier (42) or Philippe Petit walking on a high wire between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center (The Walk), these people's legacies always inspire us to keep following our dreams. Before this film, I hadn't even heard about Eddie Edwards until I saw the trailer for the first time. To me, it looks like it could be another solid inspirational film. After seeing it for myself with my mom, I was right.

Pros:
The performances were really good. Taron Egerton was impressive as Eddie.

The chemistry between Egerton and Hugh Jackman was flawless.

Solid direction and screenplay.

Supportive themes about following your dreams and never giving up.

Both the humor and the emotional moments were handled very well.

Cons:
The story felt predictable and formulaic.
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Final thoughts: While it doesn't offer anything new to the storyline, "Eddie the Eagle" is inspiring, heartfelt, and mostly fun. It is a prime example of why we need more films like this. Not only that, but it shows signs of a brighter acting career for rising star Taron Egerton. My mom really enjoyed it as well. If you're a fan of being inspired, this film's worth a watch. It will be a soaring good time, I guarantee it.

B
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My Mom's Letter Grade: B+