Part history lesson and part nostalgia trip but thoroughly enjoyable

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2014)

As of this writing it is ten years past the release of the movie and a full 34 tears past the actual events. This is the story of one of the greatest sports upsets of all time and one hockey match which loomed larger than just another game.
Everyone knows the story of the 1980 Men's Hockey team which stunned the world with an unthinkable Gold medal and a rousing (though stressful) medal round win against a vastly superior USSR team. Sports commentators of the time likened it to seeing a bunch of guys from Canada get together, form a football team and then beat the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The producers of the movie deftly set up the context of the political unease between the Soviets and Americans and how America was desperate for some good news back in those days. There was an ongoing hostage crisis in Iran, an energy crisis and a collective crisis of identity for the entire nation.
Another way "Miracle" excels is that it shows the human side of the whole preparation for the games and the drama that occurred. There are as many scenes with Herb Brooks and his wife as there are the coach and his players.
Finally the hockey game between the Soviets and the Americans is beautifully staged and choreographed and makes the viewer forget he/she is watching a recreation of the event. Everyone in the whole world knows the outcome of the game yet it is still thrilling.
Kurt Russell became Herb Brooks just as the group of actor/hockey players became the 1980 American Hockey team. In all, this is one of the greatest sports movies ever made.