ROLL-M: Mystery, Alaska |
Mystery, Alaska (starring Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Lolita Davidovich, Colm Meaney and Burt Reynolds; written by David E. Kelley & Sean O’Byrne; directed by Jay Roach; rated R for sexuality, language).
The natives of the glacier-surrounded town of Mystery, Alaska all have one thing in common: they are "born on skates" -- that is, they live for hockey. (There’s also the popular pastime of huddling together for warmth beneath the sheets, so leave the youngsters at home.) But even more than sex, hockey’s the local obsession. Must be all that ice is causing their brains to freeze up. This town’s simply batty for the sticks and pucks. Their prowess attracts national attention, and before you can say "underdog," they’re pitted against the New York Rangers in a rousing game on the ice. Did someone mention Rocky? The comparisons are inevitable. Even the press release hype for the movie alludes to it. Yes, it’s an exciting movie, but I’ve seen Rocky, and Mystery, you’re no Rocky.
Performances are surprisingly good. Colm Meaney (Chief Miles O’Brien of "Star Trek") drops his native Irish brogue and turns up as Mystery’s mayor. And Burt Reynolds, as the local judge, just gets better with age, totally dapper with his neatly trimmed two-tone beard, draped in basic black judicial robes (it’s written by David E. Kelley of TV’s "The Practice" and "Ally McBeal" – surely you didn’t think you’d escape without a courtroom scene or two).
Bottom line -- it’s a feel-good movie, so if you don’t mind the strong language (totally unnecessary here and likely to hurt at the box-office), wear something warm and check it out.
THREE OUT OF FIVE OWLS