As an ambitious little boy growing up in England, Eddie Edwards (played by Taron Egerton) knows that he’s destined for great things. He quickly set his sights on the Winter Olympic Games – despite his lack of athletic ability – and learns to ski. After years of skiing, he tries out for the English Olympic team, only to be told that he isn’t Olympic material. Soon after, he discovers ski jumping and decides that it’s time the English send a ski jumper to the Olympics. With the help of an unlikely (and somewhat unwilling) coach, Bronson Peary (played by Hugh Jackman), Eddie becomes a ski jumper and qualifies for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics. While the whole world counts him out, Eddie becomes the lovable underdog that the crowd can’t get enough of.
Inspired by true events, Eddie the Eagle is the sports movie that will have you cheering in your seat this weekend. Taron Egerton nails the role of awkward, optimistic Eddie, who appears hardly bothered by any of the obstacles placed in his way. His optimism and never say die attitude will inspire you. His courage as he takes on the 70 meter – and later the 90 meter – jump in the Olympic games will force you to become a believer. And his desire to see the best in everyone, will urge you to reevaluate how you look at the world.
Hugh Jackman’s plays the perfect counterpart for Eddie. A world renowned ski jumper in his own time, Bronson faces his own demons (mostly in the form of alcohol) with a far less optimistic outlook. Instead, Bronson has given up on the sport, while having a natural talent for it. It takes him finally accepting Eddie as a student to conquer these demons and once again embrace the sport.
This truly funny movie will have you dreaming and believing in the biggest possible ways. And that’s exactly the message that Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton brought with them when the stopped by SLAM Miami Charter School last week while they were in town promoting the film.
As an invited guest, I had the opportunity to watch Jackman and Egerton speak with the crowd of students (consisting of students who achieved perfect attendance or honor roll in the last academic period) speak about believing in yourself, dreaming big, and never letting someone tell you that you can’t do something. They laughed with the crowd. They answered questions. 
They even took a selfie that appeared in the Daily Mail (I’m all the way at the far left!).
It. Was. Incredible. I couldn’t believe how kind they were to all the students and that they took the time to make this fun, surprise apperance. I even got a chance to meet Hugh Jackman and Taron Egerton!
If you’re headed to the theater this weekend, Eddie the Eagle should be on your must see list. Eddie the Eagle is out in theaters everywhere tomorrow, February 26!
