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Good sports: when the team is down, some fast music and slow motion will cure what ails 'em

Men's Fitness, Oct, 2004 by Nate Millado

Judd Nelson and Molly Ringwald weren't the only stars of '80s cinema. There was also the sports montage, that critical transition in every competition-oriented film where the lovable loser goes from zero to hero in several grueling minutes of practice, urged on by pseudo-inspirational music. Here are our faves.

BETTER OFF DEAD (1985)

With the help of a hot French exchange student--who just happens to be an Olympic-caliber skier and Camaro mechanic--Lane Myer (John Cusack) gains confidence on the slopes. Inspirational methods, like skiing in between each other's legs, help Myer beat the slimeball ski captain on the dreaded K-12, on one ski while being chased by a psychotic paperboy! [1]

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WILDCATS (1986)

Coach Molly McGrath (Goldie Hawn) teaches her inner-city high school football team about sportsmanship, strategy, and fundamentals with a few minutes of Jazzercise. Her playbook mixes blocks, tumbles, and pelvic thrusts, set to mid-'80s beats. The result of her ridiculous gridiron workout? Her boys beat the state champs. [2]

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HOOSIERS (1986)

The Hickory Huskers hit their stride once reluctant star Jimmy Chitwood stands up for the beleaguered coach (Gene Hackman) at the town meeting. The team then puts together an emotional winning streak, punctuated by a sweeping orchestral score, slo-mo jump shots, and banner-laden cars traveling from town to lame town. [3]

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ROCKY III (1982)

First Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) tragically loses his trainer, Mickey. Then Clubber Lang (Mr. T) beats him to a bloody pulp. The Italian Stallion needs to regain that elusive eye of the tiger. From the depths of a run-down L.A. gym, he maniacally jumps rope, spars rounds, refines his footwork, and even swims some laps (all in three minutes' time). When he finally beats his new trainer, Apollo Creed, in a Baywatch-esque slow-mo beach run, it's time to eat lightning and crap thunder! [4]

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THE NATURAL (1984)

An old-timey soundtrack replaces the standard cheesy rock song, but the result is the same. In just under two minutes, Roy Hobbs' (Robert Redford) New York Knights snap a losing streak, climb the ranks, and through dizzying triumphs and spinning newspapers take their place in the race for the pennant. It's enough to make you clutch your bleeding stomach.

TEEN WOLF (1985)

Friendly suburban teen werewolf Scott Howard (Michael J. Fox) and his teammates overcome their lack of physical prowess ("Shoot it, fat boy!") and skill to win the big basketball game. This despite Fox's 5'5" stature and his choice not to "wolf out." The horrifyingly upbeat song "Win in the End" propels the montage. And to the winner goes the mildly attractive love interest, "Boof."

MAJOR LEAGUE (1989)

They are a team designed to lose, but once they find out this secret, they become the best team in baseball. How? A hard-rockin' montage that fast-forwards through bang-up practices, newspaper snapshots of big plays, and a victorious end of the regular season. There's even a break for a fake American Express commercial--don't steal home without it! [5]

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Good sports: when the team is down, some fast music and slow motion will cure what ails 'em

Men's Fitness, Oct, 2004 by Nate Millado

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