ciscokid1970 This is a must see movie for teenage boys in their guiding years. It is geared more for boys than girls. There is a bit of bad language and sex innuendos but not a big deal by todays standards. So much more than a wrestling movie.Story revolves around a teenager who is fairly independent. He keeps his grades up, has a part time job, lives with a single parent and has decided to make his mark by dropping weight to wrestle another kid who is considered unbeatable.Modine does a great job of being a low key teenager (a lesson for kids that you can be great without loudly bragging like so many kids do) in one of his early movie roles. Fiorentino was at the peak of her attractiveness, not sure why she was in this movie...the movie was so good that she was not needed, but the eye candy helped sell tickets.Ponicsan did a great job of adapting the book by Terry Davis. Harold Becker directed with fluidity and patience. Add on top of that a Awesome soundtrack. You get one of the greatest movies ever to showcase a individual young mans desire to better himself in a positive way.

Craig I love the movie and find it motivational still. This movie came out when I was just transitioning in to High School in fairly small town Oklahoma, where wrestling was near to as important as football. Most of my friends and my brother wrestled, so I knew how much work went into it. Naturally, I grabbed a 6-pack and joined the golf team. Still, from what I see it is a pretty good example of the wrestling aspect ( except for some of the throws they execute ) ( the weight cutting was spot-on for that time ). The rest of the movie to me is a kind of robotic spin on a pipe dream. Yes, there are several good actors in the movie, but this must have been in the early days for most of them because every line in it is like they have the script behind their back. Still, good story and something we all dreamed of at that age. 5 out of my 9 is for the wrestling aspect. Also, still have the soundtrack. It's just on my ipod now instead of a cassette tape.

rpizek This is such a classic movie! This of yourself as the guy who always wants to get down to that weight where you can go against the guy they all say would crush you. I wish they made more movies like this now a days! This gives such inspiration to people who want to reach that goal of wanting to beat out your opponent. Matthew Modine was awesome in this movie and it made me want to get up and go running in a silver sweat suit. It was cool to see some characters from other classic 80's movies in it as well. You get a little sports and a hot chic and you have yourself an awesome 80's teen movie! I thought this movie was so good and a must see if you haven't already.

Nick Damian The movie is about a horny teen who's vision quest, which pretty much only concerns wrestling heavyweight Shoop as a way to "make his mark" when he enters manhood (he's turning 18).Although, the quest becomes jeopardized when a cynical drifter, Carla (Linda Florentino) comes to town and changes Louden's life. Actually, her presence is not so profound in the end.The movie is decent if you don't mind the awkwardness of Modine's portrayal of the character, as well meaning as Louden Swain may be. He's more dignified in the novel, despite only being a teenager.You still get a good story and, eighties fans are sure to enjoy the movie. If they did ever remake this movie, it is the one case in which they should consider sticking to the novel.Look for the elusive Michael Schoeffling as Louden's friend, Kuch. Forrest Whitakker, Daphne Zuniga and Raphael Sbarge all have minor roles (though Forrest Whittaker already made a name for himself in 'Fast Times at Ridgemont High' three years earlier).Madonna briefly appears as a club singer to perform 'Crazy for You,' and 'Gambler,' both of which are on the soundtrack.