Pacemaker (2011) Reviews

• 508th Review: What a wonderful sports comedy - just great!

  intelearts2012-06-29

  As I write this Pacemaker has a rating of 3.6 which is just insane - I don't know anything about the star, maybe he's just unpopular or something, but this along with ice hockey's Goon (2011) are easily the most fun sports comedy movies of this Olympic year so far. This is a well-made comedy against the backdrop of Korea's marathon Olympic hopes. A past it runner, Man-ho, is chosen as a pacemaker, and the fun ensues. What makes this really worth watching is it's spirit and even though it may be by the numbers underdog sports movie, it really hits its target - just the right mixture of inspiration, romance, comedy, and some great sport sequences - it reminded this reviewer of Michael Crawford as Harry Hayes in the 1970 Olympic film The Games (Though that is a better film) - it has an innocence and it plays on the emotions, and yes, sentimentality, just right. All in all, one of the more enjoyable films of the year - and a film that makes you look forward to the real marathon event at the 2012 Olympics. Simply, it is much better than the current rating might suggest, and if like me, you love a good old-fashioned inspirational sports comedy, then trust me, you really can't go wrong with this Pacemaker.