Warrior (Connor, 2011)

[fizz]

Warrior continues the age old sports movie trend of the fighting underdog but also builds on newly found fascination of introducing family complications into the mix. Like The Fighter the cheif concerns of the film take place outside the ring - between two brothers, but here they are set up by fate to take part in a no-holds barred, winner takes all MMA tournament for entirely different reasons. Tommy (Tom Hardy), a former Marine, is filled with rage for the life he had to endure after both him and his mother left their alcoholic father (Nolte - brilliant as the browbeaten, despised patriach). Brendan (Joel Edgerton), a struggling school teacher and ex-figher himself, is about to lose his house. Both find their salvation when they turn to the only thing that connects them to their father - their spirit for fighting. The performance of the 3 leads are uniformly excellent, but Tom Hardy, who remains an enigma in the film, is brooding and intense. His wounded Tommy is a man of a few words and the film uses this to its advantage tremendously.

Warrior is familiar and treads cliche territory more than once - how much can you tinker with a tried and tested formula afterall. But, and as improbable as it is, it becomes a first rate sports film during its last hour with non-stop ringside fights that build to one of the years most exhilirating, sensational climaxes.

Rating: Highly Recommended!

[animatedude]

from the trailer it looks like nothing we haven't seen before...with actors i don't really care about.

[shariqq]

This is one I missed seeing on the big screen here, and pos-DIFF, I should have been in line to catch it. Unfortuntely it's done its run here - gonna KFF this as soon as I can, especially after Fizz's words on it.

Man, 2011 was way better than I would have scored it end-November.

[ozzylogic]

This sounds like a must watch.

[kaytee]

Loved the shit out of this film. This is the year for sports films, Warrior, Undefeated and Moneyball.

Warrior belongs to its lead actors without which it would have fallen flat. The casting is pitch perfect and we all knew what Tom Hardy is capable of after the almost awesome Bronson, this movie reassures his acting capabilities. Joel Edgerton after the brilliant Animal Kingdom stands out as well as a beaten down but never out school teacher with major family issues. The MMA fights are skillfully shot though a little less camera movements would have helped. The final fight is obviously between the two brothers and I'm glad they didn't go the cliche way.

Highly Recommended

[fizz]

I think the ending, especially those unexpected, terrific last few minutes, really sealed the filmed for me. In retrospect, and without any exaggeration, this is the years most pleasant surprise, but also probably my favourite slice of commercial cinema to come out in 2011. It's a shame the film isn't getting its due. The comparisons to Rocky, as both the MMA version of the underdog tale but also a definite sports film, are for once, very, very apt.

[animatedude]

is it better than the overrated Million Dollar Baby or the underrated Cinderella Man?

[fizz]

Million Dollar Baby was a different breed altogether - more drama than sports film, so I wouldn't put it in the same category. I quite liked Cinderella Man, if nothing else then for Crowe's earnest performance. And Warrior is better than both.

[animatedude]

better than Raging Bull? 

[X.]

The problem with sports movies is that they are adrenaline rushes. And when the adrenaline wears off, so does the effect. Just like sports.

Well-crafted films such as THE FIGHTER and THE WARRIOR suffer from this "problem."

Then there are other sports movies, like MONEYBALL, which use sports as a basic starting point, an excuse, to deconstruct the way we live and function in the world as individuals inside a communal ecosystem; not just individuals with personal problems. (And the "game" is not the story, it's merely a gambit.) These films age better and are less likely to be defended by feelings of nostalgia.

[kaytee]

Then there are other sports movies, like MONEYBALL, which use sports as a basic starting point, an excuse, to deconstruct the way we live and function in the world as individuals inside a communal ecosystem; not just individuals with personal problems. (And the "game" is not the story, it's merely a gambit.) These films age better and are less likely to be defended by feelings of nostalgia.

Completely agree, i will definitely revisit Moneyball because it was more than just a sports movie. While Warrior maybe not, and that's not because it is a bad movie but coz there is nothing more to it than the adrenaline rush of watching a sports movie.

[animatedude]

me agrees too!