For years filmmakers have attempted to recreate the hype, adrenaline and competitive underdog story that was Rocky. It has been nearly 35 years since that film hit theaters, taking the county by storm as director John G. Avildsen created a hero unlike any other. On September 9th a new style of fighting will take central stage as this generation finally gets their ring-hero.
Starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton as two estranged brothers who both enter into a take-all battle of guts and glory, Gavin O'Connor's Warrior is as much about the fighting as it is the characters. Background stories comprise much of the first hour and a half of this 141 minute movie, and I never once glanced at my watch. Jennifer Morrison and Nick Nolte provide solid support for our former Marine and physics teacher as they attempt to do the unexpected: overcome the odds and win an impressive $5 million purse. Without them the background stories are lost in the shuffle as they bring emotion and history into the story when it needs it most, making the film less about fighting and more about family.
The film constantly states that when it comes to MMA fighting anything can happen. In a nutshell, O'Connor proved that tenfold as he took a generic story and gave it heart, soul and unpredictability. Combined these qualities help anchor Warrior as one of the most powerful and thrilling films of the summer, and easily one of the biggest surprises of 2011.
