I enjoy watching movies. If you read my blog often you’ll know that I do a lot of movie reviews.
My favorite movie genres are horror and comedies. I even enjoy documentaries. I don’t often go for movies that I know will have a lot of fighting or violence in it. Once in a while a movie stands out for whatever reason and I am intrigued enough to want to see it, even if it seems like something I wouldn’t normally watch.
I read the description for the movie Warrior, by Lionsgate. I don’t know why but something about the movie stood out to me. I think it might have been the human element to it (the relationship between the characters).
Here is a brief synopsis;
The Warrior takes a dramatic and personal look at one family’s interpersonal and economic struggles, following estranged brothers Tommy and Brendan (played by Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton), and their father, Paddy (played by Nick Nolte), who are brought back into each others’ lives after many years of separation and hardship. With a deep story and characters that the audience can connect with, it’s all about the sibling relationship, father to son(s) relationship, relationship between husband and wife (played by Jennifer Morrison of ABC’s “Once Upon a Time”), and relationship between teacher and student.
This is a trailer for the movie.
I can honestly say that I was never into the Rocky movies (I’m sure many people just gasped when I said that). It’s true. Boxing movies just don’t appeal to me. I rather watch people chase after aliens then two people beat each other to a pulp.
I knew that there was going to be a lot of fighting in this movie, but putting that aside, the rest of the story line looked interesting.
THIS MOVIE WAS AMAZING!
I never heard of it until now. I don’t know if it was ever in the movie theaters but if it wasn’t it should have been.
From the beginning I found myself totally drawn into the characters, especially brothers Tommy and Brendan. They really made me feel for them. I felt their emotions, inner pain and turmoil. The actors did an incredible job making you get drawn up into their characters story lines.
Paddy (Nick Nolte) was an alcoholic who destroyed his family and is now trying to get his sons, Tommy and Brendan, to forgive him so he can rebuilt a relationship with them.
Tommy (Tom Hardy) is a former Marine whose best friend was killed. Tommy feels compelled to help provide for his fallen friend’s family.
Brendan (Joel Edgerton), a former MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fighter, now teacher, is facing financial hardships. He finds himself struggling to provide for his wife and children.
Both men end up fighting in the MMA in order to win the prize money. Each one has their own legitimate reasons for fighting that I’m sure many people can relate to. Many people struggle to provide for their families, and others know people touched by tragedy that they feel compelled to help out.
I don’t want to give away too much of the plot. Let’s just say if you are a sensitive person (like me) make sure to have a box of tissues handy.
There is enough fighting to keep most masculine men glued to the movie, but this movie is NOT about the fighting. It’s about the people. The fighting is a minor aspect to this movie. When they do show the MMA scenes they are really intense (I closed my eyes a few times).
After my husband and I watched the movie and it was over we just looked at each other and said “WOW” at the same time. The movie stays with you too. I found myself thinking about the movie at night when I was lying in bed. It really touched me.
This is not a movie I would typically watch (fighting), but I am SO GLAD that I took a chance watching this movie. I was totally absorbed into the emotional rollercoaster that this movie took you on.
Warrior is available on Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Download and on Movies on Demand.
On a scale of 1-10 I’d give Warrior a 8.5. It’s a good, solid film that was very well acted and has a well written story line.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener copy in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own.