Sports movies are starting to become one giant cliche after another. We start with the formula. First we have an underdog (or underdogs) that are facing some type of strong adversity. Next are some montages, inspirational speeches, and an in-depth comeback story for the ages. I don’t think this formula will ever change, because why would you need to change something that is not broken. I’m not saying all sports movies are good (looking at you Million Dollar Arm) but at least when you purchase a ticket you know what to expect. Eddie The Eagle is no different, we have the underdog (Eddie) who is facing strong adversity from the British Olympics Association, and has a dad that consistently tells him that becoming an athlete is not in the cards. Ever since Eddie was seven years old he has wanted to compete in the Olympics. He doesn’t want to do it for the glory, or the recognition. He wants to do it for himself and to prove everyone else around him wrong, something I deeply admire. Does that become a bit of an overkill throughout the film? A tad. I found myself getting annoyed with the constant mistreatment of our Eddie, who is brought to life on screen so passionately by Taron Egerton. An actor that is truly making a name for himself. ​

Egerton manages to capture every quip, mannerism, and look of the real life Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards, who shot to worldwide acclaim in 1988 when he became the record holder (At 60.5 meters) for ski jumping. A very tough, yet obscure sport to some, but in the eyes of Eddie it’s something he has always wanted. We might find it odd that Eddie would celebrate accomplishing such a low number in meters (when others were in triple digits) – but it just helped show the audience this was something so important to this young man. A feeling which Egerton conveys almost perfectly.

His coach is a once renowned USA olympic ski jumper by the name of Bronson Perry (Hugh Jackman) who fell of the deep end and became a raging alcoholic. Of course, Eddie (being as optimistic as he can) enlists vigorously in Bronson’s knowledge of the sport. The pairing may seem unorthodox..but so is Eddie thus making it seem actually normal. Not to mention the chemistry between Jackman and Egerton is remarkable and evokes some very personal feels.

Dexter Fletcher who is very new to the directing chair, seems to know what he wants, and how to take some very by-the book sport movie cliches and turn them into exciting set pieces. At times he does opt for the hokey CGI route, which I suppose you have too. But the controlled focus in the initial scenes with Eddie practicing and Bronson training him are very well in intact, and the keen sense of likeability that Egerton and Jackman both emulate propels the film to even greater lengths.

While sports movies are really nothing special anymore because of their predictability, I must say that Eddie The Eagle does get merit points in that regard, specifically because I know nothing about ski jumping. Sure, I know a football from a basketball (as most people probably do). But ski jumping is something that looks to be very tough and draining, so the fact I also got to learn more about a fairly unknown sport was extremely rewarding.

Ideally, this is a movie where you don’t need this critic to convey whether or not you need to see the film. Eddie The Eagle comes exactly as advertised. B