Movie Review: ‘Warrior’ is Brutal and Hopeful

by
05, September 2011Movie Reviews3 Comments

warrior movie posters 300x228 Movie Review: ‘Warrior’ is Brutal and HopefulTo say this film was about brothers competing to win a championship would be true, but of course, the story is much more complicated than the trailers would lead you to believe. As the stories of this family unfold, it quickly becomes not about the championship, but about their relationship. Director Gavin O’Connor, who also co-wrote and co-produced Warrior, manages to tell a story of a family that is complicated and messy but ultimately hopeful. More often then not, sports movies focus on one side of the struggle: the underdog player, the underdog team, etc. However, in this film, we get to see all sides, and in many ways, each are an underdog.

Each character has an incredible level of depth and that was brought wonderfully to screen by the actors. Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson) is scary good as Tommy Conlon, the quiet war vet, coming out of nowhere to crush every opponent. His dialogue is minimal, yet he his able to convey a deep level of emotion in every scene. It’s easy to see his brewing anger and vulnerability even as he drinks a cup of coffee.

Nick Nolte returns to the screen in triumphant fashion as a father trying to win back the respect of his sons. The role was literally written for him and he brings a sadness and complexity that will surely garner attention.

The only other film I’d seen Joel Edgerton in was Smokin’ Aces. He played the dim-witted Russian bodyguard with a silly haircut. I was honestly surprised to see him in this, but he was perfectly cast as Brendan, the father and high school teacher. He was just as comfortable playing with his children as he was fighting in the ring. Brendan’s wife, Tess, (Jennifer Morrison, Fox’s House M.D.) was herself a complex character and added a lot of value to the scenes with him. Their relationship was a cornerstone of the storyline.

I will also say that I’ve noticed a pattern lately of intense opening sequences (so much so that I was expecting it in this

Warrior JoelEdgarton05 72dpi 300x190 Movie Review: ‘Warrior’ is Brutal and Hopeful

Joel Edgerton (left) stars as 'Brendan' in WARRIOR. Photo credit: Chuck Zlotnick

film). They can be used rather well, but with Warrior, the intensity builds slowly and I found it to be much more rewarding. Sure there are intense moments, but they are not meant as a single occurrence, but are actually key parts of the film.

Having directed the 2003 HBO documentary on a fighter in the MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) titled, The Smashing Machine: The Life and Times of Mark Kerr, Gavin O’Connor captured an amazingly realistic view of the fighting. Not that I am an authority whatsoever, but during the fight scenes, I found myself almost shifting in my seat to get a better look. To me, that’s the ultimate level of realism. Although the film uses MMA as the sports backdrop, the film appeals to the same audience as any other sports film would. Overcoming against all odds works in even the most unlikeliest of sports.

The best aspect of the film though, was the complicated relationship between the father and two brothers. I wanted to see more of it. I wanted to see more of how Tommy interacted with his father. I wasn’t as attached to it emotionally as I could have been. I had sympathy for all the characters and although I was moved at the end, it didn’t quite have the emotional punch I was wanted throughout the course of the film.

The pace was very smooth and deliberate, so it does not seem like two hours. The film has a wide appeal and although it’s heavy on action, it really has a enjoyable drama that will satisfy all audiences.

Opens in wide release on September 9, 2011 by Lionsgate, Rated PG-13, 139 minutes. http://www.warriorfilm.com

Rating: Great fight scenes, great drama, non-typical story. 8/10

Melissa Hanson
Visit My Website / View My Other Posts


  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_PRZXS3AQJCWKGM6XF4CQMCMAHA Beauty

    All I have been reading about the movie Warrior is that it is a great movie. I’m really picky about movies so I only what I hear is good. My co-worker from DISH was actually telling me about the movie and how good it is but I still need to check on it with the reviews since I don’t trust anyone with movies like this. So far it does look really good. I just got the Blockbuster Movie Pass with DISH and I really love it. I get to have movies come through the mail, stream on demand and I get more movie channels with DISH. I couldn’t ask for any thing better. I hope that when I get the movie Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton are amazing. I haven’t really seen them in anything. This will definitely be the first for me.

    • Bharrison33

       

      Movie
      Review of Warrior

      Brett Harrison

      A00694431

      LIBS 7014 – Sanja Garickomnenic

       

      Gripping, sad, fear, pity and euphoria are some key
      emotions often found in a good drama.  It
      does not appear to be a coincidence that all of these emotions, and many more,
      can be felt while watching Gavin O’Connor’s film titled Warrior which
      was released in September of 2011.  This
      film appears to outsiders as a film revolved around nothing more than mixed
      martial arts fighting; however, this film is much more and brings an extremely
      well written storyline to its audience in a manner that makes this film one of
      the better movies in recent years.

       

      The movie involves two brothers and a father that have
      all lost connection with one another. 
      The father is a recovering alcoholic that use to abuse their mother, one
      brother named Brendan is a school teacher that has started a family of his own,
      and the other brother named Tommy is an ex-marine that appears to be depressed
      and suffering from post traumatic stress. 
      In an attempt to get out of financial trouble the two brothers begin to
      utilize their main skill – fighting. 
      Tommy uses his father as a trainer just like when he was a young
      boy.  In the end, the two brothers end up
      having to fight each other in the finals of a fighting championship for a big
      cash prize.  Brendan wins the fight and
      the family comes back together in the end with the father smiling as the two
      sons hug.  This movie is packed with good
      action scenes, but is more a family drama than a fighting movie just like
      O’connor’s other film titled Pride and Glory.  Warrior incorporates these traits with
      the classic Hollywood underdog story much like Miracle – another
      O’Connor film.

       

       

       

       

       

      The acting in this film is incredibly well done and
      makes a somewhat farfetched story line feel all too real.  Nick Nolte who plays the father received an
      Oscar nomination for his work and it was well deserved.  This single character takes the audience on a
      roller coaster ride of emotions.  One sees
      him at first as a drunk that broke up his family through abuse.  However, by the end of the movie Nolte
      convinces the audience to feel pity and hope that everything works out for him
      due to his hard work to stay sober and save the family bond.  Both Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton that play
      Tommy and Brendan respectively also prove their strong skill set as actors
      throughout the movie.  Tommy proves that
      he can portray someone that is suffering from depression and post traumatic
      stress without it ever being mentioned in the film.  On the other hand, Brendan plays your
      everyday person that can strike a bond with the audience very well.  It is a shame that the advertising and
      representation of this movie limits its appeal to fans of fighting; when really
      this great movie is so much more and can be enjoyed by all different types of audiences!

       

       

       

  • Bharrison33

     

    Movie
    Review of Warrior

    Brett Harrison

    A00694431

    LIBS 7014 – Sanja Garickomnenic

     

    Gripping, sad, fear, pity and euphoria are some key
    emotions often found in a good drama.  It
    does not appear to be a coincidence that all of these emotions, and many more,
    can be felt while watching Gavin O’Connor’s film titled Warrior which
    was released in September of 2011.  This
    film appears to outsiders as a film revolved around nothing more than mixed
    martial arts fighting; however, this film is much more and brings an extremely
    well written storyline to its audience in a manner that makes this film one of
    the better movies in recent years.

     

    The movie involves two brothers and a father that have
    all lost connection with one another. 
    The father is a recovering alcoholic that use to abuse their mother, one
    brother named Brendan is a school teacher that has started a family of his own,
    and the other brother named Tommy is an ex-marine that appears to be depressed
    and suffering from post traumatic stress. 
    In an attempt to get out of financial trouble the two brothers begin to
    utilize their main skill – fighting. 
    Tommy uses his father as a trainer just like when he was a young
    boy.  In the end, the two brothers end up
    having to fight each other in the finals of a fighting championship for a big
    cash prize.  Brendan wins the fight and
    the family comes back together in the end with the father smiling as the two
    sons hug.  This movie is packed with good
    action scenes, but is more a family drama than a fighting movie just like
    O’connor’s other film titled Pride and Glory.  Warrior incorporates these traits with
    the classic Hollywood underdog story much like Miracle – another
    O’Connor film.

     

     

     

     

     

    The acting in this film is incredibly well done and
    makes a somewhat farfetched story line feel all too real.  Nick Nolte who plays the father received an
    Oscar nomination for his work and it was well deserved.  This single character takes the audience on a
    roller coaster ride of emotions.  One sees
    him at first as a drunk that broke up his family through abuse.  However, by the end of the movie Nolte
    convinces the audience to feel pity and hope that everything works out for him
    due to his hard work to stay sober and save the family bond.  Both Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton that play
    Tommy and Brendan respectively also prove their strong skill set as actors
    throughout the movie.  Tommy proves that
    he can portray someone that is suffering from depression and post traumatic
    stress without it ever being mentioned in the film.  On the other hand, Brendan plays your
    everyday person that can strike a bond with the audience very well.  It is a shame that the advertising and
    representation of this movie limits its appeal to fans of fighting; when really
    this great movie is so much more and can be enjoyed by all different types of audiences!