As stated in last week’s Monday Question I’m not a big fan of sports movies. I’m also not a fan of MMA fights as I think it’s a bit too brutal compared to something like the K-1 tournament. So you might be wondering why I even bothered watching this movie. There is basically one reason: Tom Hardy. After his amazing performance in Bronson he’s been on my radar and was interested to see more of him. Is Warrior one of those sports movies I actually enjoyed? Find out after the jump.
Tommy (Tom Hardy) suddenly shows at the doorstep of his father (Nick Nolte). It’s quickly obvious that the relationship isn’t a warm one as his father has had drinking problems. Tommy needs him though as he wants to train to be the best MMA fighter there is and knows his father is the right person to make sure he has the discipline to reach his goals. His brother Brendan (Joel Edgerton) severed ties with his father and although he has a regular job as a school teacher, he doesn’t make enough money to pay his mortgage. He also decides he can make more money doing MMA fights. Will they be able to reach the top?
The difficult relationship between the brothers and their broken relationship with their father add an extra layer to a movie which is fairly predictable. Nick Nolte is excellent in his role as a recovering alcoholic, who is desperately trying to restore his relationship with his sons. It makes you think about how to help an alcoholic in the family, as this movie shows how big an impact it can have. This movie belongs to Tom Hardy though, who manages to give a great performance. There is a scene on the beach where I felt like he was doing a combination of De Niro in Raging Bull and Sylvester Stallone in Rocky, great stuff.
When it comes to plot this movie really doesn’t have too many suprises and actually is quite predictable, but when you have to control yourself from jumping up to cheer for one of the guys (which I normally never do) you know that it has got you hooked. The fights are shot in such a great way and your in the middle of the action. To me Warrior is the most exciting movie I saw this year. It might not be the best, but it is one of my favorites.
Score: 8
I think I just realized how talented Tom Hardy is from this movie, and I do want to check out Bronson. This is one of the greatest movie this year. Never thought martial arts can be so emotional, I love the movie so much, although I agree it’s not the best. It is a bit predictable, but the process is great.
Yeah, I was surprised by how I cared so much about these characters as well and it’s one of the surprise movies of the year for me. I’m pretty sure it will end up in my top 10 of favorites.
See I wouldn’t have given the movie to Hardy. He is brilliant and amazing to watch. For me Nolte is the best performer. I really felt all of his pain.
Great review of a great film
Yeah, Nolte was good too! He did manage to show the feelings he was struggling extremely well. The pain was understandable, but at the same time you knew how it came into existence.
Thanks!
I totally agree with what you said- one of the best for me, too! Loved it!Thanks!
Nice to see that more people are loving this!
Great review Nostra. The cliches are there but Edgerton, Hardy, and Nolte rise this above being just than just Rocky with MMA. It’s a well-made and emotionally gripping story that brings out some real gut-wrenching moments as well as the great knock-outs.
Thanks a lot. I’m surprised this movie entered the IMDB top 250. It probably won’t be staying there, but it does mean a lot of people are liking it. Definitely a well-made movie.
Glad you liked this film that is normally not your genre-pick! Man, I loved this film and Hardy was great! But I have to give the biggest nod to Nolte when it comes to the acting! Man did you just feel for his character! Dan the Man (CMrok) said it best in his comment here!
Can’t wait for this to release next week on BD!!
It’s a movie I probably will want my friends to see as well 🙂
Terrific review, Nostra. I’m becoming quite the fan of Hardy, and am eagerly awaiting his role in next years Batman film, so will definitely check this one out when I can.
Thanks! I’ve seen him in a couple of movies now and he’s an amazing actor. Really interested to see what he’s like in the new Batman, because the bad guys really are the stars of the Batman movies…
I’m not a big sports movies fan either, Nostra, esp boxing. But I did enjoy The Fighter and I reckon I’d appreciate this one too, especially for the performances. Glad you enjoyed this one.
If you liked the Fighter, I’m pretty sure you will be able to enjoy this one too. Give it a chance (it currently even has a spot in the IMDB top 250)
I finally got round to seeing this lately,was on the edge of my seat like a big kid in the final cheering them on. It goes to show how much I got into it with that reaction, Hardy and Nolte were especially excellent in the film
I had the same feeling, so I’m not surprised. I’m with you on the actors. I really wouldn’t have minded if it were only Hardy and Nolte…it didn’t even need the storyline with the other brother….