Handsome young men whack each other in the face with sticks and learn about life in Youngblood, an enjoyably silly hockey movie. Rob Lowe stars as Dean Youngblood, an American rookie who's been given a shot on a Canadian Junior League hockey team. Sure, he can skate, but can he take a punch? This coming-of-age story is about learning the beauty of vicious hockey fights. No, really. Containing both young-bucks-in-the-locker-room shots and plenty of hockey violence, Youngblood is a surprisingly entertaining cupcake of a movie--there's not much nourishment, but it sure... tastes good. Watch for Patrick Swayze as the team's leader and Keanu Reeves in his first film role as the French-Canadian goalie. --Ali Davis [show more]
So bad its good ice-hockey movie with 80s teen heartthrobs Rob Lowe, the late / great Patrick Swayze and Keanu Reeves; 'Youngblood' follows talented dreamer Dean Youngblood (Lowe) on his quest to join Canadian minor league hopefuls 'The Hamilton Mustangs'. But the genteel rookie has to man up if he's to deal with brutal rink-side bullies and brawlers who dominate the game.
'Youngblood' follows the standard 1980s Tom Cruise movie formula about one man determined to be the best, beat the odds, get the girl and save the day. But this comfortably familiar, hi-concept narrative is almost undone by a rather disturbing scene that I'd totally forgotten about or must've deliberately shut out for reasons that should be obvious when you see it: The gist of it is that Rob Lowe is initiated into the team in an allegedly jocular bit of "camaraderie" or "hazing" as its known. Now maybe things are different in the U.S. or Canada, but when a group of men pin down another man against his will in a bid to shave his crotch...call it hazing if you want, but the correct term is homosexual assault with intent to perform an act of buggery, and it's a heinous crime in most civilized countries. The filmmakers, now pressured to prove Youngblood's straight or at least not traumatized for life, have him bed the coach's daughter (Cynthia Gibb) AND his fifty something landlady!
Pretty boy actors Rob Lowe and Patrick Swayze played brothers in Francis Ford Coppola's modern classic 'The Outsiders' (1983) and share an honest on screen rapport that translates well to 'Youngblood'. Lowe could've gone onto become one of the biggest stars of the era, but here, he does what's required of the part and smoulders on cue, Swayze follows suit but with that soulful depth technique he'd go onto perfect in 'Point Break'. Keanu Reeves, making his movie debut, plays the team goalie in trad bozo mode; now Keanu Reeves is to accents what 'The Charge Of The Light Brigade' was to strategic military planning. And 'Youngblood' sets him on his future path; saddled as he is with a bizarre French-Canadian lilt which, in trademark Keanu fashion, sounds neither French, Canadian nor any combination of the aforementioned.
With an excellent soundtrack featuring Mr Mister, Autograph, Starship and others 'Youngblood' makes for a great time capsule and is lightweight, forgettable, unintentionally hilarious but nonetheless entertaining nonsense, that's bound to please 80s aficionados and undemanding sports movie fans. 'Rocky' on ice.
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Please note this is a region 2 DVD and will require a region 2 or region free DVD player in order to play Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe) is a young hick who emerges from the sticks to try his hand at professional ice hockey However he finds initiation into the team particularly rigorous To make life even more difficult for himself Dean falls for the daughter of his coach
Dean Youngblood (Rob Lowe) is a young hick who emerges from the sticks to try his hand at professional ice hockey. However, he finds initiation into the team particularly rigorous. To make life even more difficult for himself, Dean falls for the daughter of his coach.
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