Eddie the Eagle

The overkill indicates an awareness that none of these would-be messages ring true.

Watching this eagle take to the sky still manages to be a cheery delight.

Eddie the Eagle is one of those underdog sports stories we all love so much, with an excellent performance from the likeable, empathetic Hugh Jackman.

Peary is a completely fictitious character, but Jackman plays him like a younger Clint Eastwood, full of rugged charm and common sense, even though he stresses over his own past failures.

It is both folk and fairy tale, but sort of irresistible. Everyone loves a rags-to-riches story, even if Eddie never quite won the riches.

It's a recipe that worked for Rudy and Cool Runnings, and it's effective here.

Eddie soars here with heart and fun humor.

Viewers of Eddie the Eagle will anticipate every beat, not that its approach prevents the movie from being effective. Sports movies have a formula for a reason - it's often successful.

Eddie is pure inspiration, and the portrayal of him as he grew up and into the sport is golden.

An inspiring true story brought to the screen, with a wonderful role for Hugh Jackman.