Rating of
4/4
Warrior is Oscar bound
trophywife - wrote on 09/29/11
If you’ve seen the previews for ‘Warrior’, you may have already decided that if you aren’t a big fan of UFC and/or Mixed Martial Art fighting, this movie isn’t for you. Don’t make that mistake. There’s a much deeper storyline here, and it’s absolutely worth your time to experience it.
THE GOOD: I am not by any stretch of imagination a fan of fighting as entertainment; if my husband only had a dollar for every time I’ve walked out of the room when he was watching UFC….but this movie is just so much more than a modern day Rocky. The story centers around two brothers, Brendan and Tommy, whose lives have taken completely opposite directions, after a wretchedly dysfunctional childhood leaves them estranged from their father—and each other. Both find themselves with their own personal dilemmas and demons that bring them to the ring, and the audience is left to decide whose battle is greater—and whose intentions are less self serving. Yes, it’s obvious from the beginning of the movie that these two will inevitably end up facing each other in the finals. But it shows the true merit of the overall story that you can know a lot about what’s going to happen, yet you are still eager to find out HOW it’s going to happen. And the way in which the entire family dynamic unfolds leaves you with an emotional attachment of sorts to each character. The cast in this film—which includes Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy, and Joel Edgerton --is surprisingly first rate, and I would be absolutely dumbfounded if this doesn’t at least end up being nominated for an Oscar. Yes, I believe it’s THAT good.
THE BAD: Normally, I find it relatively simple to find something—ANYTHING—in a movie that could have been improved on or changed altogether. I need to be completely honest and tell you that I have been writing this review for 3 days now, and I am coming up empty. I am literally at a loss. Yes, there are difficult emotional scenes, and no doubt the physical beatdowns can be hard to watch as well. But they all make up what is fantastic about this film. I wouldn’t change a single thing. And I would bet you’ll agree with me.
THE UGLY: Despite the rave review I am giving this film and it’s actors, it IS about fighting---so be prepared for some blood, bruises, and disturbingly in one scene--the sound of broken bones. And, let’s face it—there’s more than a handful of guys in this profession who aren’t going to win any beauty pageants, so there’s definitely THAT to contend with as well.
The Trophy Wife gives this movie 5 trophies.
Warrior is rated PG-13 for sequences of intense mixed martial arts fighting, some language and thematic material (F-word used once)
