Mark Messier - Leader, Champion & Legend

This DVD is one of the best sports profiles I have ever seen. For one it details the life of arguably one of the greatest athletes in the history of professional sports. Even if you know the life of Messier and feel you don't the DVD, trust me you do. The DVD begins with a combination of short video clips of Messier with someone reading the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling. I use that part as a football coach to motivate my players in Mississippi. Even though none of them know anything about hockey, they could run through a brick wall. This Movie is must for any sports fan. If you are a Messier fan and don't have it get it today. Because if you watch it everyday until the day you die, it won't be enough!

I couldn't believe that it said it would be released in 2010, but the Warner Bros. website says that it's released on the tenth of January. No extra games which is really what I buy most sport DVD's for, so I might wait for them to release one with games, like they are doing with the Gretzky DVD.

I was going to abstain from commenting, but then I saw the LUDICROUS statement above, reading:

"Anyone notice how bad his teams got whenever Wayne Gretzky wasn't his teammate any longer? like me recognized how overrated he was even when he was with the Oilers. He thought he was old school, when he was just old."

1. He led the Oilers to a Cup, OVER Gretzky's Kings in the playoffs, and WITHOUT Gretzky in the Finals.
2. He led the Rangers to a Cup in 1994, WITHOUT Gretzky.
3. The guy scored nearly 20 goals and 50-60 points a season PAST the age of 40. You have to be a complete imbecile or complete hockey novice not to recognize how great that is.

Enough said. Must be another disgruntled Flyers fan. Time to go watch my Lightning Cup DVD while I anxiously await this release.

The only man to wear the captain "C" for two different Stanley Cup winning franchises, Mark Messier is without doubt an immortal of the NHL and easily one of the Top 10 players to ever lace-up skates. His on-ice accomplishments -- 6 Stanley Cups, 2 Hart Trophies, second only to Gretzky in regular season and playoff points -- coupled with his legendary leadership and hard-nosed style illustrate the very special player that the unheralded Messier ultimately became. Messier is a throwback to the "old-school" of hockey players, combining the vicious streak of Gordie Howe, the wicked slapshot of Bobby Hull and the fiery stare of Rocket Richard into one mean package. Sadly, the underperformance of Messier's teams over much of the last decade -- as well as his advancing years -- haven't showcased his greatness to newer fans. This updating of the 1997 VHS release with additional footage and features will allow old fans like me to relive Messier's glory years and exhibit his greatness to younger fans. (Reviewer's Bias: I grew-up in Edmonton and was blessed with the chance to watch the hometown-boy-made-good Messier on a nightly basis for a dozen years. That said, a lot of other folks seem to think Messier is pretty special, so I don't think my judgement is clouded THAT badly. [*grin*])

Messier is the greatest player in the NHL. That isn't to say that he's the best but no one has the resume that he does. As for Messier not being anything after he was no longer paired with Gretzky, that's why his teams have more wins and better records overall? His two Stanley Cups (Gretzky never won one without Messier on his team)? Two Hart Trophies (None after 1988 for Gretzky)? No matter how badly his teams played over the past seven seasons, that doesn't diminish or eradicate all that Mark Messier has accomplished in the game of hockey.

This collection will be a great addition to my DVD library.