SOUND OFF
Sound Off: Gavin O'Connor's MMA Drama 'Warrior' - Your Thoughts?
by Alex Billington
September 9, 2011
Now that you've seen it, what did you think? Ready to go to war?! Arriving in theaters everywhere today is a film that I've loved since I first saw it in early April. It's a sports drama called Warrior about two MMA fighters and brothers who end up in the ring together. Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton, two of the most badass up-and-coming actors, star as the "warriors" we're rooting for, along with Nick Nolte as their estranged father. So is it as great as everyone is saying? Did it leave you in tears at the end? Did you love it? If you've already seen it, leave a comment below and tell us what you thought of Gavin O'Connor's Warrior.
I love this movie, hands down, I absolutely love it. As I mentioned originally in my review, not only do I think it's better than The Fighter, no question, but it's just a great film about brothers, about family, about what it means to be driven and passionate. And I think I connected with it especially because I have an older brother and have sometimes had a tumultuous relationship with him, and seeing the embrace at the end totally sums up, without any words, exactly how I feel about him. It's as triumphant and exciting to watch as Miracle, one of my other all-time favorite sports films, and it packs quite a few punches without drowning the audience in too much MMA. One of my favorite movies of the year that will definitely remain that way.
What did you think of Warrior? One of the best movies of 2011 or a boring, bland sports film? We will remove any comments that indicate you have not seen the movie, as this area is meant to discuss the film only once you have seen it and can talk about your thoughts. Please keep the comments civilized!
Reader Feedback - 38 Comments
1
I hope 'Warrior' launches Kurt Angle's movie career and he does more mainstream movies from now on such as 'The Expendables 2' and the next James Bond film.
Garrison on Sep 9, 2011
2
Are you serious?
Valvg on Sep 11, 2011
3
Kurt angle is a drunk & a junkie. He wont het roles because of that
Whatsxhisxname on Sep 11, 2011
4
Best movie I've seen in ten years.
Sisz1 on Sep 9, 2011
5
One of the year's best films. Oscars for all involved. It deserves to be No. 1 next week at the box office more than any other film. Random Star Trek connection - Shinzon (Tom Hardy) and Winona Kirk (Jennifer Morrison) together on screen.
Jill Marin on Sep 9, 2011
6
In my opinion the BEST movie of the fall so far. And I've seen 50/50 and Dolphin Tale already
Film Wizard on Sep 9, 2011
7
I love facetious comments like yours.... wait, it was facetious, right? In any event, I fully agree with Alex.
Lerryjee on Sep 9, 2011
8
lol dolphin tale
Anonymous on Sep 10, 2011
9
Best Movie I have seen in years! Oscars should be won. I saw the advanced screening. Never seen an audiece so captivated and get so emotional. Saw lots of guys trying to hide tears. Taking my parents to go see it on Saturday. So after seeing it twice I'm actually kind of sad I will have to wait so long to own the movie for myself.
HollyB48 on Sep 9, 2011
10
Loved it. Absolutely destroys any other MMA movie out there. One of the best of the year.
Tyler Bannock on Sep 10, 2011
11
I loved it. I was in Pittsburgh when they were filming it and happened to also be in it. I am so glad that if finally came out and it was worth the wait. Tom Hardy is gonna be an star, can't wait to see his ferocity in Bane. They cut a "beginning" scene that i was in, but it made complete sense and glad they did it. Amazing. Loved it.
Franklin Carpio on Sep 10, 2011
12
AMAZING! Seriously I knew it was going to be good but walking into the theater I didn't know it was going to be that good. The movie was, simply put, perfect. I wouldn't have changed one thing about it. I still have goosebumps when I think about it! I thought it was way better than The Fighter and hands down one of the best movies of 2011. I will definitely be seeing it again.
Anon on Sep 10, 2011
13
Great, touching, moving, and extremely powerful. The BEST film of the year for me so far. ...probably until Fincher's "dragon tattoo"
Luke M on Sep 10, 2011
14
It was ok. Predictable.
Griffin on Sep 10, 2011
15
The Wrestler was way better film
dean on Sep 10, 2011
16
indeed
GMA on Sep 10, 2011
17
The Wrestler was however a completely different kind of movie...
David Darida on Dec 15, 2011
18
I am not a big fan/follower of MMA but this movie was really, surprisingly good! It has a lot of heart and emotion which I thought was the main aspect of the movie rather than the MMA. I think everyone acted really well espcially Nick Nolte. Final verdit: Good movie! Go see it!
Ron on Sep 10, 2011
19
meeeeeh. too formulaic, sounds & looks like it 'hould pull on the right strings to elicit all the right emotions necessary for Oscar talk. just call it 'The Fighter; Round 2' and get it over with.
Nero on Sep 11, 2011
20
dangit! the ' is just too friggin close to the s. *should
Nero on Sep 11, 2011
21
great film. I was really fighting back tears in at least 3 scenes. Paddy and Tommy were such tragic characters. The last fight was beautifully choreographed and that choice of song was amazing. It fit so perfectly. And man, you wanted to bawl when Tommy was getting all his pain beaten out of him. Fuck, I just got choked up reviewing it all in my head.
Vitaliy on Sep 11, 2011
22
Brilliant film. It may be similar to a film like The fighter... because it has fighting? However, it was a touching piece. Tom Hardy was absolutely fantastic and Nick Noltey blew my mind in his role. I don't watch boxing or MMA... in fact I could care less about the sport... This film was much more than fighting. I loved the Fighter, but Warrior just topped The Figher for me.
Nick C on Sep 11, 2011
23
Great movie! Made me feel for all the main characters. At the end I wanted so badly for it not to be over!! Beautifully human and fantastic sports drama.
Earthbound on Sep 11, 2011
24
I have to admit, no tears dropped, but they were close. I'm a huge MMA fan and I feel like you don't have to be one to get into this film. I give a lot props to Mark Isham and the soundtrack; there are a few scenes that wouldn't have been as powerful without Ingram's skills. Overall, I give it a 7.9/10. If Tom Hardy doesn't get a nod for his performance, I'd be pretty disappointed. Nick Nolte was super solid. Finally a good MMA movie!
Markysri on Sep 11, 2011
25
alex, i was was reading the paper last week and on the add for warrior it had the quote "better then 'the figher' " - alex billington, nice to see some recognition for the site. I saw the movie last night and loved it.
ThatGuy on Sep 11, 2011
26
27
Nothing special. I would of rather spent the money on buying school supplies.
Jordyn on Sep 11, 2011
28
You're gonna love the 3rd grade...make sure your mom buys you the big box of crayons
Geoffrey Shauger on Sep 12, 2011
30
Best movie Ive seen in years too. Nuff said...
Ironmen on Sep 12, 2011
31
Easily the best movie since Iception. This movie got me choked up at least 10 times. Terrific film! My pick for the Best Picture Oscar.
Kickbusch on Sep 12, 2011
32
Inception*
Kickbusch on Sep 12, 2011
33
C'mon seriously? You all hyped this movie up way too much. It was an average movie about fighting, and aside from the fact that it involved fighting I don't even see the connection to the movie The Fighter which in my opinion had way superior acting and was an all around better film. Compare this to The Wrestler....and it's forgettable. I wouldn't be surprised if this film gets some Oscar hype, but I also won't be surprised if after the hype it doesn't win a single award. #1 film by the end of opening weekend? The over advertising killed it's chances. I barely saw any previews for Contagion, and it wasn't that great of a film itself....but The Warrior couldn't top it, or The Help, which isn't surprising to me. Historical chic lit will always beat a movie about a popular but obscure sport that is only popular with a small demographic of the population, because when it's time to go to the movies guys don't drag their girlfriends to a movie like this....girlfriends drag guys to movies like The Help (which also is surviving off of the very large Baby Boomer demographic that are flocking to one of the few films this summer that their generation can relate to). No offense because I love your site, and often relate to your perspective, but sometimes this side has a serious male nerd bias.
ImaginaryVisionary on Sep 12, 2011
34
TOTALLY awesome movie. Way better then the fighter. The only thing that was cheesy was the stupid principal scenes while hes watching one of the fights on tv from his home. Also the training montage was'nt very good either with the 4 split screens going on at one time.
Nick Mercer on Sep 12, 2011
35
I loved this movie, I probably jumped up out of my chair and cheered 3 times in the theater! The performances were outstanding, Nick Nolte was great. I agree this is way better than The Fighter, hands down. Probably my favorite movie of the year so far.
Anonymous on Sep 13, 2011
36
Worth the watch ,
Borgwolf on Nov 23, 2011
37
The movie of the year....for me
David Darida on Dec 15, 2011
38
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