A contemporary fighting triumph which places it among one of the biggest and possibly best David and Goliath dramas ever alleged, Warrior pounds the audience with blow by blow of physical and effusive wounds.
In Pittsburgh, Penn., drama erupts out of a dysfunctional family dynamic. Sweeping across a rustic view of Pittsburgh, old wounds are exacerbated between fathers, sons and brothers. Forced to pick sides when their parents split, Brendan and Tommy find themselves in a sibling rivalry.Tommy Conlon, played emotionally by Tom Hardy (Inception, Bronson), was an under-appreciated child who turned into a self-destructive, impulsive and hot-headed version of his father. After a mysterious reappearance from the Marine Corps., his only desire is to fight.
The father, Paddy Conlon, is dynamically slurred by Nick Nolte (The Thin Red Line). Nolte is a recovering alcoholic, unleashing an emotional diatribe to his estranged sons. Brendan Conlon, displayed by Joel Edgerton (King Arthur), is a family man worth fighting for; only he is the one doing the fighting. A full-time physics teacher, he returns to Mixed Martial Arts in order to help pay for his family’s mortgage and his daughter’s medical bills from her heart surgery.
All three are reunited when Tommy comes back into his father’s life, but only so Paddy can train him for Sparta, a $5 million grand prix MMA fight. However, the plot thickens when Brendan also enters the fight after getting suspended from his teaching job for fighting.
Now, brothers are destined to fight each other in a win-or-die cage match that doesn’t come around too often. Tommy has the build and strength, but Brendan is all heart. Besides the somewhat shoddy camera angles that require nausea medicine for extended viewing, the fighting and training sequences are amazing. They have a cringe-worthy effect that will send audiences into an uproar.
Along with spectacular fighting sequences, surprisingly witty dialogue breaks moments that could potentially suffer from over dramatization. Complimenting the wit are some well-earned, heart-wrenching realities and a few surprises that certainly qualify as stimulating twists in the plot. The presence of these surprises are introduced like a good CSI episode, with just a tiny morsel revealed to leave the audience wondering.
Only one brother can truly become the Warrior. You may find yourself rooting for one over the other in the tournament, but that is secondary. Both Tommy and Brendan are worthy of our cheers in their lives away from the ring.
Critic’s Review: 4/5
Seannon Nichols can be reached at snichols12392@yahoo.com.
han an awesome review that leaves the reader wanting more..and to see the movie of course! A very well written article with strong detail and a good plot summary.
who would of thunk you could write like that. Very proud. Keep it up!!!
Great job. Keep up the great work. You are already on your way to sitting in the theater full time.