After we learn of owner Bill Foley's and former NHL Murray Craven's longtime friendship which was where the seed of the Golden Knights seems to have been planted, we meet several key players who played a role in the success of the team who were acquired through the NHL Expansion Draft such as Jonathan Marchessault, Marc-Andre Fleury, and Deryk Engelland. Everything seems to be going to plan as the team approaches its first game.
What you may have forgotten is that there was a major crisis nine days before the Golden Knights kicked off their first-ever season in the NHL when the city was thrown into chaos by the shooting committed by Stephen Paddock at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival from his hotel room at the Mandalay Bay Hotel. Angeles does a very good job in bringing the realism of that tragedy to the surface by talking to players and staff from the team, survivors, and families of those who were needlessly killed by Paddock. The emotions in this section of Valiant are very raw, and it brings into focus how the city can go from complete euphoria to complete remorse in a matter of seconds.
The response by the Golden Knights shown in Valiant immediately endeared the team to the community as they honoured the 58 lives lost in that senseless act of violence. 58 seconds of silence in the film is a stark reminder of these 58 people who were taken from families and loved ones, and, from that point on, the Golden Knights were playing for 58 people who would never see them play.
While this part of the film does tug at the heart strings and show the raw side of Las Vegas' mourning over this tragedy, the remainder of the film is a reminder of the amazing season that the Golden Knights had in amassing 51 wins, winning three playoff rounds, and falling just short in their quest to win the Stanley Cup. The reactions from players, staff, and fans surrounding this team is notable as they found themselves in the same disbelief of the accolades and achievements the Vegas Golden Knights accomplished that season.
Where Valiant falls short, for me, is how Angeles misses how the Golden Knights generated some rather fun moments with various celebrities and moments in this first season. While Wayne Newton and Li'l Jon get included, the fact that he failed to include the Imagine Dragons performing on T-Mobile Arena ice in Game Two that some believe may have inflicted some sort of curse on the Golden Knights seems like a fun twist to a story. There are other moments - Celine Dion embracing the team before the season and the Blue Man Group showing support - that maybe should have been included, but it seems like the NHL and Angeles opted out of pursuing those moments for this film.
Overall, Valiant is the kind of movie that a Golden Knights fan would want in their collection of all things Vegas Golden Knights. The work put into the movie is apparent based on the interviews and moments shown, and the end result is a thorough look at how the Golden Knights came to be and their results through the 2017-18 season. While the movie doesn't give you that feeling that it was produced by a Las Vegas resident in love with the Golden Knights, it is a solid encapsulation of the inaugural season of the Vegas Golden Knights.
Teebz's Rating: ★★★★☆
Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!
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