Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Gareth Crook
Okay so it's cheesy, but it's so much fun! Both Egerton and Jackman look like they're having a blast and the simple fact that you can't help but root for Eddie in every scene is testament to this films success. This isn't a biopic, but there's enough truth here to show the fella for the hero he is, a real inspiration, Edwards should be remembered as such. Not sure this is the traditional summary that most Olympians would want, but Eddie isn't most Olympians. He was a bit daft, just like this film, but blimey if it doesn't make you smile, massive euphoric fist pumping smiles!!
James Farmer
The sets are all out time and place, as someone who the 80's first hand I know the sets are very unrealisitic. Clearly someone who was not around at the time and/or has no grasp, knowledge or understanding of the historical element, which is really sad. (TWO TRIBES BY FRANKIE WAS NOT 1986) The you guy who plays Eddie , at presumably 15 yrs (we are not told his age) took his acting and twitches from the character Liam in the Benidorm ITV series. Alas Liam plays his part for comic slapstick laughs, this kid is painfully laughable - in a BAD way. Keith Allen is his usual thesbian self, hammy acting is fine in the theatre but it does not transfer well to film. I imagine that this ridiculously hogh score for this film (7/10) is from folks who weren't around at the time and see the eighties as slapstick, comic and only good to laugh at and take pity on. A very sad film. This review is no reflection on Eddie the Eagle who was not a man to poke fun at (though he was happy to downplay himself) he was a man who represented Britsh fortitude to fight against the odds and do his best, win or lose. To mock him and the era is a pathetic way to exploit the past. 2/10 POOR.
blanche-2
"Eddie the Eagle" is a delightful film, based on the true story of Eddie Edwards, a British skier who became the first competitor since 1929 to represent Great Britain in the 1988 Olympics. These biopics follow a formula - the underdog, adversity, the gruff coach with a heart of gold, more adversity, and finally, triumph. This biopic is no different. In the film, Eddie has spent a year in the hospital because of bad knees and wears a brace, which is removed in childhood. Despite this problem, Eddie wants to be in the Olympics. He tries hurdle-jumping and, failing that, decides on speed skiing. He is on a team that is successful locally, but when it comes time to choose skiers for the Olympics, he is not chosen. Undaunted, he decides on ski jumping and sets off for Garmisch, Germany, to train on the course there. He is self-funded, has no coach and emerges a bloody, fractured mess. Eddie is finally taken on by an ex-ski jumper, the hard-drinking Bronson Peary (Hugh Jackman). The British Olympic committee is not impressed with Eddie, and in fact, changes the qualifications for skiing so that he does not qualify. But Eddie isn't about to give up. When he finally qualifies, he's warned by Peary that if he loses, he won't be allowed another chance, and he will not be taken seriously. He wants Eddie to wait until the 1992 Olympics, but Eddie feels this is his moment.This is an uplifting, inspirational film about never giving up on your dreams. Though we've seen it many times, it's always good to be reminded. Taron Egerton is wonderful as Eddie, who wears thick glasses, puts up with hazing and insults, and stays the course. Hugh Jackman provides some good star power, and as Eddie's mum, Jo Hartley is marvelous. The acting throughout is good, though most of the other characters are stereotypes.It's hard to say how much dramatic license was taken with this movie - Eddie's bio makes no reference of hospitalization and bad knees as a child, though at the end of the film, there are photos of the real Eddie, and in one, he appears to be on crutches. He was self-funded and he wasn't upper class, which also works against him, and these are brought up in the film.There is some beautiful ski jumping shown as well.A good story told with warmth and humor about a man who today, known as Eddie the Eagle, remains a British celebrity.
Ian
(Flash Review)I still remember Eddie the Eagle from the 1988 Olympics. The soaring ski jumper who was notable for basically finishing last place while full of spirit and glee as he was so happy to be competing. This is the story of him and his endless drive against all odds. The film starts out rather silly as they try to illuminate Eddie as a child and his passion for competing at the Olympics. He failed over and over and over again at different events but made an effort as the only British Ski Jumper. The film is very funny, told very smartly and you just have to root for this quirky fellow. This is a true fell-good movie. Even better because I remember watching him with my Dad on TV.
