Ivan Lalic
Sport movies are pathetic and there is no way around that fact.
This can especially be said for the modern Russian sport movies, which tend to confront the Western culture by glorifying the past achievements in the sport arenas.
Hockey was the best Russian collective sport and it still is, mimicking the power and awe of USSR times. Among many stories that had been written on the ice pack, the one of Valeri Kharlamov is one the most dynamic, although not depicting the tragic ending.
All the elements of a classic sport story will be there, the stellar uprising, the moral dilemmas and challenges that follow the glory and a triumphant resurrection in the legendary revial matches between USSR and Canada.
On the other side, little will be given on the depth of characters and the acting will be just mediocre, with an exception of ever versatile Oleg Menshikov, here portraying the legendary coach and the father of modern Soviet hockey armada and collective sport itself, Tarasov.
If you are into sport movies, "Legend N.17" will please you in a really decent way.
Kinoviewer
Yesterday I had an opportunity to watch this movie. Even after hearing many positive comments, I was hesitating for a while about watching that since I did not manage to watch very good Russian movies produced lately except the movie "Stilyagi", but my desire to see the movie about the legendary Harlamov took over. I got interested due to the fact that my Dad watched that famous hockey match USSR vs Canada and he told me that was a life-time event when USSR hockey team proved to be the best one in the world. I was not even born then yet, but read about that match and V. Harlamov in particular. Moreover I was very curious to find out more about Tarasov, who was very good coach with his special "hard-to-cope" training routine that brought its fruits. I must tell I was not disappointed and did not feel I wasted my time. Of course I was not impressed by computer effects (this area still leaves to be desired) and some very predictable moments. I still do not like that post-Soviet heritage in the Russian movies when foreigners are shown like stupid and cruel ones (compared to bulls) who then suddenly change to good ones after lessons taught by main character. But I was impressed by acting of Vladimir Menshov whose characters were mainly good guys. I was surprised by Oleg Menshikov, who used to be a good actor but seemed to have lost his acting grip. I must admit in this movie he was good and I believed that Tarasov might have behaved, lived and coached the way Menshikov embodied him. Of course tastes differ so it's better to watch it yourselves. My recommendation? It is worth watching. See you in the movies.
_Dukharevski Mike
Russian movie straight out of "MustSee" list! I've watched this movie in cinema... you know, I'm not a big fan of Russian movies, of a ice hockey, BUT it's some story about great people thinking and about "how the big things comes from dreams in reality" Actors playing good! Kozlovski & Menshikov, GREAT JOB! After a movie I've got a feeling like I'm going home after great game of a time, just like I've watched not a movie, but real ICE HOCKEY... The things in movie about soviet system, about sport, about hurt, about politics, it is true, everything! THANKS A LOT! GREAT MOVIE! When I have children, I'll necessarily show them this movie!
innamad
Well, yesterday me and my husband went to the cinema and watched this brilliant story of real GREAT people of our country. First of all, I hate to be there where I am forced to be, but my spouse wanted me to go with him. I am not big fan of hockey, even more I am not big fan of historical movies, moreover, I start to fall a sleep after few minutes of the beginning of the movie (Oblivion for instance, I fall a sleep after first 15 minutes), but...actors played perfect (I started hate and love characters, if you know what I mean), story and its editing was excellent, I even cried several times! Why 9 of 10 stars then? Well I didn't like those computer effect of recreating old Moscow, not too much convincing but its all good. Love Menshikov, Love Kozlovski, Love Tarasov and Kharlamov!!!!! GOOD JOB!!!
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