With Russell Crowe (THE INSIDER, A BEAUTIFUL MIND), Hank Azaria (GODZILLA, THE BIRD CAGE), and Burt Reynolds leading an incredible all-star cast, here's a fun, uplifting, action-packed story that everyone will love! A remo... more »te hockey-obsessed town populated by 633 of the most eccentric characters you'd ever want to meet, Mystery is the kind of place where nothing ever changes. But then life as they know it gets turned completely upside down! When a publicity stunt brings the world-famous New York Rangers -- and the national spotlight -- to Mystery for a game with the local team of weekend warriors, the whole town rises to meet the challenge of a lifetime! Also starring Mary McCormack (TRUE CRIME, DEEP IMPACT) and Lolita Davidovich (PLAY IT TO THE BONE, JUNGLE 2 JUNGLE) in another critical favorite from the hit-making director of AUSTIN POWERS 1&2 -- you'll stand and cheer as this ragtag bunch shows that nothing can melt their dreams of a miracle on ice!« less
Was not expecting much from this but this feels like a true story was pretty awesome! Lots of great actors! A must watch!
Sharon F. (Shar) from AVON PARK, FL Reviewed on 5/4/2019...
I wasn't sure about watching this movie because I'm not a sports fan, but I'm SO glad I did! What a GREAT movie. Just goes to show you that you have to give everything a chance...just like they did in the movie.
I loved the fact that the entire town was behind the skaters and they never gave up on their goal and idea. Made me root, root, root for the hometown!!!
If you want to watch a funny and feel-good movie, take the time and watch this one.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Michel D. (michelann) from WALNUT GROVE, MO Reviewed on 4/6/2019...
You do not have to be a huge hockey fan to love this movie! Casting and writing is excellent! A great story of small town dedication and commitment makes for a very enjoyable evening of movie watching with a great ending... and not exactly what may be expected!
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Kathy J. from GLENDORA, CA Reviewed on 5/26/2010...
A town of eccentric characters play pond hockey every week.
Some of the town's officials choose who will play in the "Saturday game".
Wonderful movie with some very funny moments.
2 of 2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
Mystery, Alaska is the place to be!
Caroline P. Hampton | Columbus, Ohio USA | 09/23/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This charming film didn't get the positive praise it deserved. It was absolutely wonderful. The small Alaskan town of "Mystery" has a quirky "Northern Exposure" feel to it, and a wonderful ensemble cast add a lot of fun and games. The "Saturday" hockey game leads off this fairy-tale story of David vs. Goliath, as their hometown boys go against the NHL'S New York Rangers. Former "townie" Hank Azaria starts this whole thing by writing a spotlight on the "Saturday Game" for Sports Illustrated and well.. Mystery is never the same after that. Russell Crowe turns in a great performance as "slightly older" town Sherif John Biebe, who is the heart and soul of the much younger hockey team. There are many wonderful smaller performances by faces you'll certainly know and love. It's a wonderfully sweet, charming and funny (with classic one liners from MANY of the young players) movie that only HAPPENS to be about hockey. There is so much more to it. You don't have to know a thing about hockey to appreciate this fun and lighthearted movie. It's right up there with my all-time favs. Definatley worth a look!"
Genuinely fun movie
Hollis Boyd | Bethesda, Maryland | 09/01/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I rented this DVD having never even heard of the movie.But after having watched it, Mystery, Alaska has become one of my favorite movies. This enjoyable tale about a town full of eccentric, hockey-obsessed people, moves along at a nice, steady pace. Unlike many movies these days, Mystery, Alaska doesn't rush through important plot points. When a former neighbor returns home bringing the New York Rangers to play against Mystery's legendary hockey team, the town sheriff, recently bumped from the team for a younger player who's got "jump", agrees to coach. The members of the team are fleshed out well by an ensemble cast of virtual unknowns, with the exception of Russell Crowe. The ending is exciting, and surprisingly unpredictable. For me, the actor that stole the show was Ryan Northcott, a barely credited character, who plays the pivotal role of the high school skating whiz who takes Russell Crowe's place on the team. He has a couple of the most amusing, and embarassing, scenes in the movie, and handles them with humor and grace. Overall, Mystery, Alaska was a funny, enjoyable movie that I recommend to everyone. You don't have to be a hockey fan to love Mystery, Alaska."
Mystery Alaska
Kelly | Littleton, Colorado | 03/30/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I wasn't sure if I would like this movie because I do not like Russell Crowe at all. The only reason I agreed to sit through it was that the rest of the ensemble cast was so good. I ended up enjoying this film. Who doesn't like a film where you can root for the underdog? The hockey team in Mystery, Alaska ends up playing an exhibition game against the New York Rangers. Everyone has the same question - can they compete? This is a movie that can appeal to many because while there are some very funny moments, there is also a lot of drama.
"
The Pride Of Mystery.....
L. Shirley | fountain valley, ca United States | 01/15/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This review refers to the Hollywood Pictures DVD edition of "Mystery,Alaska"....
The small close-knit town of Mystery, Alaska(pop.633), is obssesed with the game of Hockey. Everyone in the town is invovled. There's even a committee of the important men of the town whose sole job it is to decide who will be on the team in the all important Saturday games.There in their own little niche of the world, they go about their business, live their quirky little lives and all revolving around their hockey team.All that is about to change though...
An ex-Mysterian who has moved to New York and is now a sports promoter has lined up the game of a lifetime for this little town. They will play the New York Rangers in an exhibition game right there in Mystery.Will it turn into more than an exhibition game for these everyday people? The team is good but how good are they? Can they even score against the Rangers? What will it do to their pride if the Rangers annihlate them? You'll be smiling all the way through with these outlandish characters in this funny yet poignant story, as you find out.
The film has a tremendous cast. It stars Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria and Burt Reynolds.(Also look for a great cameo in the commentators booth!) It also includes Lolita Davidovich,Maury Chaykin, Mary McCormack and Colm Meany.A wonderful screenplay by David E. Kelley and Sean O'Byrne, beautiful photography by Peter Deming and expertly directed by Jay Roach all add to the enjoyment of this film.
It is presented on the DVD in the theatrical widescreen aspect of 2.35.1 and is beautifully transfered.I noticed on the technical information on the product page of this DVD, it has Dolby 2.0 for the sound, but you'll be happy to find out that it is actually in the 5.1, so those with a home theatre system will get the full effect of every slap shot! There's a short featurette on the filming, and it has closed captions for hearing impaired viewers. These are real nice, I checked them out and they are nice and clear and below the film(in the black bar portion under the widescreen).
The people of Mystery will melt your heart as the heat up the ice......have fun...Laurie
also recommended:
Northern Exposure Seasons 1 - 4 DVD Bundle
Diamonds
IF I NEVER GET BACK. A Novel."
The movie itself is 5 stars
Evan Miller | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 09/21/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great movie. No 100 million dollar budgets and wowee special effects. Just good writing and great characters. Oh yeah, and hockey. I love hockey. I think it's the sport of the gods. And I went to see this in the theaters because it featured hockey. But now I watch it because it's a great movie. and it would be a great movie no matter what sport it dealt with (even basketball, yuck!).It star s apre-Gladiator Russel Crowe who is the town Sherriff and player during the Saturday Game. The people in mystery love hockey. Their lives revolve around it. Colm Meany plays the town mayor who is for all intents-and-purposes, the general manager of the "team". Hank Azaria plays the town prodigal son who left town for the bright lights and big city of New York and returns promising a game against the New York Rangers as a publicity stunt.Admist all the fervor of playing against an NHL team on live TV, Burt Reynolds plays the towns Judge, who cautions them to think it through before agreeing to play a professional team.Eventually we get to see the game, and it was nice to see them not end it with a total "feel-good" ending. You can probably guess what I mean by that, but you should buy or rent it anyway.I only gave the DVD 4 stars because the DVD was woefully short on extras. Only the usual we have come to expect... commentary tracks and a very short "making of..." filmette. Still, it's a great buy."