Mystery, Alaska | | Cast : | Russell Crowe, Burt Reynolds | | Director : | Jay Roach | | Studio : | Walt Disney Home Video | | Format : | Color, Closed-captioned | | Released Date : | October 01, 1999 | | DVD Released Date : | December 09, 2003 | | Language : | English (Dubbed), English (Original Language) | | Audience Rating : | R (Restricted) | | | BUY THIS DVD FROM AMAZON |
Customer Reviews
| Rating |  | | Date | May 29, 2005 | | Summary | Movie with a lot of heart... | Content
 | The ending could have used a little more oomph and emotion, but overall the movie was really really good. Good: The scenes in the locker room, the Biebe kids' comments, Burt Reynolds "judge" character and coaching, Bailey's law, the heart of the town and heart of the players. Hank Azaria's final realization about Mystery, Crowe's deftly played performance as the approximately 30 yr. old Captain.
There was nothing really bad, it was just that after all the emotion and laughter churned up during the entire movie, it just sort of ends nicely, not bad, but not a terrific ending either. Just sort of lackluster ending.
The husband/wife interraction between McCormack and Crowe was especially realistic. Crowe has not had such great chemistry with anyone since Meg Ryan in PROOF OF LIFE. Mary McCormack would have been the perfect wife in his upcoming "CINDERELLA MAN" film! |
| Rating | | | Date | April 18, 2005 | | Summary | Slapshot, Miracle, Mystery | Content
| If you want a description of Mystery, take a look at some of the other reviews (but I'd discount the ones by the adolescent hockey dudes),
If you love hockey, particularly if you play on a recreational or adult team you'll appreciate this movie. It was much better than I expected, and funny as well.
I've added Mystery to my library which includes the classic, Slapshot, and the historical, Miracle. |
| Rating | | | Date | March 24, 2005 | | Summary | Great idea for a screen play, but... | Content
| The story, most of the acting and the scenery were all very good! However, the totally horrendous skating ability of one Russell Crowe was in such glaringly sharp contract to the rest of the picture that it ruined the movie! This is not a matter of opinion folks, Mr. Crowe CANNOT ice skate and if you cannot ice skate, then you cannot play hockey and you really should not play the so-called leader and captain of a hockey team that the movie is based upon. For example, it's one thing to overlook some far-fetched scenes in a sci-fi flick for the purpose of provoking thought or lending to the overall theme of the movie. But this you cannot overlook...the star hockey player that cannot ice skate in a movie about a hockey team with him as the main character? No freakn' way!
Sorry Russell, you make one hell of a Gladiator in which you were awesome in...but a hockey player? Please leave the hockey playing to actors that have played hockey or at least can ice skate very well thank you very much!
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| Rating | | | Date | December 30, 2004 | | Summary | Home-Town Spirit...Great job by Crowe | Content
| Cute little movie about Alaskan small town community bonds together for their men when they host a hockey game against, incredibly, The New York Rangers! This is the breakout/sleeper role I remember Russell Crowe in, he plays captain of the Mystery, Alaska Team who don't really have a chance except for all that home-town spirit on their side and of course, they are used to the -20 degree weather! Has that 'northern exposure-feel' to it. Not a 5 star but, definitely a 4. See this movie and you may just want to see it again! |
| Rating | | | Date | September 08, 2004 | | Summary | No Mystery - Just Great Moviemaking! | Content
| Mystery Alaska was one of the best comedies to come along in 1999. In the best ensemble film fashion a truly eclectic cast forms the very core of the story that is Mystery, Alaska. Hank Azaria turns in a spectacular performance as "the ugly duckling" - a character not too popular who escaped the town for fame and fortune in television sports. He garners the small town some big time noteriety when the announces that the New York Rangers will challenge a game against the locals pond hockey team. Typical small town chaos ensues as all prepare for the big event.
Russell Crowe, Burt Reynolds, Lolita Davidovich, Ron Eldard, Colm Meaney, Mary McCormack all turn in fine performances contributing nicely to the oddities inherent in any small town.
While the story can seem a bit forced formulaic, David Kelly's script and Jay Roach's directing bring a freshness and satisfaction that made this one of 1999's best sleepers.
A most watchable feel good movie.
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