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Ever since Rocky burst on to cinema screens, kick started Sylvester Stallone’s and snatched glory at the Oscars, sports films, particularly those involving physical combat, have repeatedly used the same clichéd plucky underdog storyline. Warrior is one of these and thus one fears the same tedious scenes we have seen time and time again; or worse, enough cheesy sentimentalism to gas an entire town. Lacking even more respectability by being about mixed martial arts rather than boxing, the film, like its protagonists, has a lot to prove.
Other than featuring MMA, the inevitable twist in the underdog formula is the focus on two brothers who inevitably end up fighting in the huge SPARTA tournament. The result is something that inevitably feels rather contrived, yet so do most films of this type; even last year’s Oscar winner The Fighter did and that was a true story. Where that film and indeed this one triumph though is taking these roots and creating great characters and dramatic tension to fill the void and that is something Warrior does in spades. In its opening scene we see Tommy (Tom Hardy) meeting his formerly abusive and alcoholic father (Nick Nolte) for the first time in twelve years, and the undisclosed tensions and secrets bursting beneath the two men is fascinating and something that continues throughout. Angry and confused sons, a father desperate to attain some form of redemption - yes, we have seen it before but that does not stop it being done incredibly well here.
The performances throughout the film are exceptional. Tom Hardy gives another tough performance, in which he not only looks the part but is completely believable as we sense the inner weakness beneath the all consuming drive, and his at times rough violent exterior. Whilst Joel Edgerton plays his elder brother, a family man forced into the ring in a desperate attempt to stave off bankruptcy whilst trying like his brother and father to make sense of his past, is likewise excellent. Meaning in the end, we support both of them in their attempts to succeed. Of course the events that take them through the film do seem contrived but this does not prevent there being real emotional clout throughout the film, in their confrontations with each other and their father particularly. On a technical note the film also comes across very well; the fights are often brutal and believable with great choreography and skill clearly involved in them, whilst everywhere else the film remains well constructed and even features one of the best uses of Beethoven in a long time.
Speaking as someone who had never heard of MMA until I watched the film and came into it with misgivings about an inevitably clichéd plot, I must say this was very impressive indeed, establishing an intelligent and meaningful character piece with a lot of heart and passion. Yes it’s not very original, but rarely will you see it done this well, or with leads as electrifying as Joel Edgerton and Tom Hardy. In the end Warrior is, perhaps surprisingly, actually extremely good and might just surprise you.
See Warrior at York City Screen. Go to http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/York_Picturehouse/ for more information
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