Hotshot (1986) User Reviews (5)

cliche and typical American ending

[ozzyboro · 23 October 2003]

I thought it was a little cliche, when I rented it out years ago as a kid it was called 'Striking Chance' I have recently been back to my old video store in South Wales but they sold it on.

Anyway, back to the cliche. Pele teaches some wannabe "soccer" star how to execute the famous bicycle kick, known to many as the "Pele", him being the man to first do it for Brazil, and he scores the winner, in a cup final by a far fetched, yet marvellous overhead kick into the top corner.

For British football (soccer) fans this is so fake, for our American friends who prefer more high scoring games such as Basketball, who don't know a lot about the British import, it may seem good.

I enjoyed this film as a kid and would like to see it again, despite it's lame perception of what it's co star called "The beautiful game"

Not as bad as all that

[jha5 · 7/10 · 26 February 2007]

As an American who appreciates soccer, I got a kick (no pun intended) out of this movie. It is the real Pele (not a look alike) and he does a good job in the movie. The plot is predictable, as most of the sports movies in the mid 80's were (Youngblood, All The Right Moves, Air Up There) but in a world with not enough Soccer movies (at least in this country) this one was well appreciated. Jim Youngs comes off as somewhat believable in his role as the hero, a young man from US looking to join up with a South American soccer team. I have not seen it in a while, but I remember enjoying this movie thoroughly. If you are a fan of football/soccer, I recommend it.

Great Soccer movie

[rd_warrior94 · 8/10 · 27 March 2005]

Although the production values are not award winning the premise inspired me to excel at soccer and gave me an insight as to how to be better at anything in life. I use this movie in any sport to show the real reasons for participating in athletics. and... Billy Warlock in a wheelchair need I say more. Pele's involvement gives a unique insight into the passion in which soccer is treated in the rest of the world.His credibility adds to the flavor of Hotshot. This movie has the potential to rival great sports movies such as Hoosiers, side-out, and Rudy. I would recommend this for any sports fan, sports participant, and I hope you enjoy it !!

Best Soccer Movie Ever

[oldschoolt · 10/10 · 4 October 2003]

This movie inspired me as a little kid to play soccer. Pele, the legend himself, is in the movie, so that gives it instant credibility. I highly recommend this movie to any true soccer fan, it is definitely low budget, but the soccer is awesome, especially since soccer isn't exactly big market in the U.S.

An excellent soccer movie for a novice

[plytry · 8/10 · 18 January 2009]

I remember renting this movie quite a few times when it first came out, and because my husband was a soccer player from high school to adulthood in various leagues, we both enjoyed it. Back then, we didn't buy the movies to keep. Since then, I have raised our boys (alone; the hubby is no longer around), and both of my sons love playing soccer, but neither have ever seen this movie, nor do they believe it exists! I spent a couple of years trying to remember the name of the movie, and searching online about movies Pele was in so I could purchase the movie. Now, it's discontinued, and I can't find it anywhere. I would dearly love to have at least one copy of the movie (VHS or DVD), so I can show it to my sons when they come home on leave (both are serving with the USAF). If there is anyone who reads these who would be willing to give up a copy of this movie, I'd love to hear from that person! By the way, my daughter in law has heard of Pele, but has no idea how great a player he really was in his day. The movie was exciting, and in my opinion, was a good movie. I'm at the age where a good movie doesn't need violence, blood, or sex, just a semi-decent plot with action that didn't involve any of the above!