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Cool Runnings Cast Reunites After 31 Years, Remembering John Candy
The stars of the beloved 1993 sports comedy Cool Runnings, a film centered around the Jamaican bobsled team, have reunited 32 years after its release and 31 years after the passing of lead actor John Candy. Four principal cast members gathered at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut, paying tribute to the iconic movie and their late co-star.
Cool Runnings Stars at 90s Con
Reunion of the Jamaican Bobsled Team
Rawle D. Lewis, Doug E. Doug, Leon Robinson, and Malik Yoba, who portrayed the members of the Jamaican bobsled Olympic team in Cool Runnings, were present at 90s Con. They cheerfully posed together at the event, which celebrated prominent figures from the 1990s.
John Candy’s Absence
Noticeably absent was John Candy, the film’s главная star, who tragically died from a heart attack on March 4, 1994. The reunion served as a poignant reminder of his contribution to the film’s enduring legacy.
Cool Runnings: A Box Office Success
Cool Runnings achieved significant box office success upon its release in 1993. The film grossed $154.9 million globally, a considerable return on its $17 million production budget, solidifying its place as a popular sports movie.
The True Story Behind Cool Runnings
Inspiration from the 1988 Calgary Olympics
The narrative of Cool Runnings is loosely inspired by the true story of the Jamaican bobsled team‘s improbable journey to the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary. Against all expectations, Jamaica, a nation with no ice or snow, managed to qualify for the bobsleigh event, mirroring the film’s underdog theme.
The cast of classic 1993 sports film Cool Runnings has reunited 31 years after the death of star John Candy as they appeared
Rawle D. Lewis, Doug E. Doug, Leon Robinson, and Malik Yoba – who played the members of the Jamaican bobsled Olympic team – happily posed together at 90s Con in Hartford, Connecticut on Friday
Not in attendance was leading man Candy who died of a heart attack on March 4 1994
Film vs. Reality
While taking liberties for entertainment purposes, Cool Runnings captures the essence of the team’s struggle. The film depicts the inexperienced four-man team overcoming numerous obstacles to compete at the Games, guided by their coach Irv Blitzer, portrayed memorably by John Candy.
Iconic Moments in the Film
The film is filled with memorable moments:
- The team’s initial struggles on ice.
- Their bonding experience.
- Humorous encounters, including a bar fight with a rival East German team.
- The adoption of the famous “Jamaican style” bobsleigh chant: “Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, get on up, it’s bobsled time! Cool Runnings!”
Heroic Defeat
Despite a promising performance, the team’s final Olympic run is marred by a sled malfunction, leading to a crash. In a moment of sporting heroism, they carry their bobsleigh across the finish line, concluding their Olympics with a symbolic defeat that resonated with audiences.
Cool Runnings remains a highly recommended film. It masterfully balances humor and heart, showcasing the team’s relentless spirit and determination against adversity.
The Real Jamaican Bobsleigh Team
Differences Between Film and Reality
Although the movie’s dramatic crash was attributed to mechanical failure, the actual 1988 team’s crash was due to driver error. Furthermore, the widespread applause depicted in the film was a cinematic exaggeration.
The film’s beloved quartet of Derice Bannock, Sanka Coffie, Junior Bevil, and Yul Brenner are fictional characters. The actual 1988 Jamaican team comprised Dudley Stokes, his brother Chris Stokes, Devon Harris, and Michael White.
Cool Runnings was a smash hit at the box office as it earned $154.9million on a budget of just $17million
Rawle D. Lewis starred as Junior Bevil
Malik Yoba portrayed Yul Brenner in the film
Doug E. Doug gave a salute as he portrayed Sanka Coffie
Leon Robinson portrayed Derice Bannock
Released in 1993, events of the film are very loosely based on the true story of huge underdogs Jamaica, a country with about as much chance of developing ice as Wales have of seeing a dry season, somehow qualifying for the bobsleigh event at the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary
Overcoming Hurdles
The documentary truth lies in the monumental challenges the real team surmounted to reach Calgary. Their training involved pushing a wheeled cart on concrete to simulate push-starts. Upon arrival in Calgary, they lacked equipment and relied on the generosity of other teams for basic necessities.
Evolution of the Team
Initially competing in the two-man event (Dudley Stokes and Michael White), a late decision led to their participation in the four-man event, adding Devon Harris and Chris Stokes to the team. Remarkably, Chris Stokes, initially unfamiliar with bobsleigh, had only three days to learn the sport.
Bobsleigh: More Than Just Speed
The Technical Aspects of Bobsleigh
Bobsleigh demands both speed and technical skill. A rapid start is crucial for momentum. Aerodynamics, achieved by maintaining a straight head line, is essential. Brakes are available to adjust speed.
Navigating Turns
Negotiating banked turns requires precision. Shallow entries compromise speed, while overly high entries risk crashes, as experienced by the Jamaican team in 1988.
Winning Formula
Victory is determined by the fastest cumulative time over multiple runs.
Soleil Moon Frye sported plenty of leather on the outing
Andrew Lawrence, Joey Lawrence and Matthew Lawrence (left to rigth) were also in attendance
Blonde bombshell Brittany Daniel sported an all black look
Jenna Leigh Green donned a colorful quirky sweater
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean appeared solo
Jamaica’s Bobsleigh Legacy Continues
Olympic Participation
Despite their 1988 crash, Dudley Stokes and Michael White finished 30th in the two-man event. Jamaica competed in the subsequent three Winter Olympics, consistently improving their rankings, featuring the Stokes brothers.
Funding Challenges and Recent Resurgence
Funding limitations arose after the four-man team failed to qualify for the 2002 Salt Lake City Games. However, Jamaica continued to participate in the two-man event and women’s bobsleigh debuted in PyeongChang. The men’s four-man team made a comeback in the 2022 Beijing Olympics, demonstrating the enduring spirit of Jamaican bobsledding.