STORYLINE: Detroit hockey prodigy Dean Youngblood joins the Hamilton Mustangs, where his pride and prowess are tested. (IMDb)

   What was it like, for you watching Rocky step, heroically, into  the ring, in Rocky (1976)?  How about thay feeling when the Titans fought discrimination, to take the football field in Remebcer the Titans (2000)?  I loved that feeling of joy when watching the miracle on ice story, in Miracle (2004).  All these films share the bond of being triumphant, feel food sports stories.  The recent hockey release, Youngblood, joins their ranks. 

     Youngblood is a feel good, underdog story, as is the trend with triumphant sports stories.  The film has a central character with a talent for hockey, circumstances to over come, and life lessons to learns.  Youngblood has its moments where the central character goes through his ups and downs, all leading up to a heroic climax.  The film has all the markers of a feel good, triumphant  sports movie. 

    Why did this film fall short for me?  It was that the all tropes of the genre we’re not well developed in this feature. That meant everything that was supposed to make this movie a feel good, triumphant film fell flat.  I was not invested in  the characters, and at their moment of triumph, was ready for the film to be over. 

    Youngblood is a hockey film, designed to be a heroic sporys film, much like the boxing flick Rocky. This one misses it mark.

   Until next time I will see you at the movies!