raypdaley182 It's a pretty big name cast with Burt Reynolds, Colm Meaney, Russell Crowe, Mike Myers & Hank Azaria.Take a bunch of unknown skaters in a small town in Alaska then throw in the idea their that good they attract the attention of the mighty NHL.Then you have the fight, will the New York Rangers come to the town now they have spent a lot of money? Obviously and eventually they do come to the town and the game is played. With what you might think to be a predictable outcome. But that's totally not the case.The game itself is pretty good even for non-hockey fans, entertaining enough to keep you watching. All the actors play their characters very well, even the normally very annoying Crowe.Worth a look, even if your not a hockey fan, it's a decent feel good sports movie and you can root for the underdogs.

vchimpanzee Like Cicely on TV, Mystery is an isolated town in Alaska. During the long cold winter, the residents look forward to the "Saturday games" played by the hockey team described by Sports Illustrated as being good enough for the NHL, even though they never play any teams from outside the area.Sheriff Biebe is a veteran player who is not as good as he used to be, and he must step aside to make way for younger men such as Stevie.Charlie left town years ago hoping for a more exciting life. He returns periodically, and this time he has come back with the announcement the Mystery team will play the New York Rangers. Actually, the Rangers are not too happy about coming to this frozen wasteland, especially since they would like to have time off.Not all in Mystery are enthusiastic about the idea, fearing the town will be embarrassed. Judge Burns is one of those opposed, and he refuses to be the coach for this game, giving Sheriff Biebe an opportunity to return to the sport. The dispute goes to court, and attorney Bailey Pruitt is sent to argue the town's case. His passion for his town has unfortunate results, but what happens may ultimately have helped the town win. The Rangers will play in Mystery after all.Meanwhile, the town is fighting efforts by a chain store represented by Mr. Walsh, whose treatment leads him to conclude these are a bunch of crazy Eskimo Rednecks. Those who say "Eskimo" are reminded the preferred term is Inuit. Actually, most of the people in Mystery are Caucasian.Judge Burns is overprotective of his cute daughter Marla who wants to make sure her boyfriend Stevie doesn't leave her for a girl who will. (Will what? You know what.) The judge's son Birdie can't seem to please his father.Charlie used to date Donna, who married Sheriff Biebe and had 3 kids with him. But there seems to be little threat Donna will go back to Charlie, even though she is not entirely happy in this place.At first, this seemed silly. Only Russell Crowe seemed to be rising above the material, and his ended up being the standout performance. Later I realized this was like "Northern Exposure" in more ways than one--sure, there were quirky characters, but also good writing and acting.I don't know hockey, but the game seemed exciting enough.This would have been a good family movie if the writers had stayed away from bad language and other inappropriate content. Even cleaned up, it was raunchier than it had to be.******* Even if you want spoilers you may not want this one ********This movie does have a happy ending, but not a Hollywood happy ending. It takes a lot more effort to make the ending enjoyable when the team comes close to, but does not achieve, the final goal the formula would seem to dictate.But the Mystery team does gain the respect of their opponents, and the townspeople really appreciate their effort.******* Okay, you can start reading again *******I enjoyed the second half more than the first. The fact is "Northern Exposure" did not always please me either.

billsccc I had no idea at the time that I would enjoy a movie about hockey, and I was right, because this movie had nothing really to do with hockey.It's a great character based movie about a small town that makes it big and the reason the town makes it big is because of it's people. It's a great rocky type movie that makes you root for a small town and it's wonderful characters. Russell Crowe is excellent as well as the entire cast and a great turn by Burt Reynolds as the town judge and coach. This is a very well crafted, witty , warm and realistic and just a charming movie overall. Don't let the hockey fool you, this is a movie about people and a quite enjoyable movie I may add.

CKCSWHFFAN I am NOT a sports fan.I saw this film in the theater.Saw it for Russell of course.LOVE THIS HAIR CUT IN THIS. A BIG SMILE HERE :) A good film.Cast pretty good. Too much on side stories on minor characters. Stevie & the girl. Who cares? Mayors wife following around. Yeah, and?Mike Myers cameo character had the best line in the film, I just love it."They're done like dinner." I always laugh at that one."The Partirdge Family" get mentioned. Good.Liked the Sarah character hitting the cheating guy in the head with the shovel. He deserved it!! Not the best film ever made, but enjoyable.Russell, as always, did a great job.