Whilst it's certainly not the first film to feature forms of Ultimate Fighting or MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), 'Warrior' is probably going to be the benchmark. Elliciting memories of what Rocky did for boxing movies is the best comparison to make, and while there is a lot in common between the two films I'm going try not to compare and contrast between the two, because, much like boxing and MMA, they are very different beasts.
That hasn't stopped some reviewers though. I'm sure some of you have seen the bus advert for 'Warrior', declaring it was like "All the Rocky movies rolled into one" (I can't remember the publication, but it's a terrible comparison.) If you are going in expecting that you will be getting talking love interest robots that talk, men in cut off shirts hugging in the sea, subplots about children's jewellery etc, you may be disappointed.
But anyway, 'Warrior' tells the story of two brothers, Tommy (Tom Hardy) and Brendan Conlon (Joel Edgerton), two men who haven't seen each other in years and have very little in common. Brendan is a school teacher who is married with kids, but facing steep bills and possible bankruptcy.
Little is known about Tommy, other than he was in the Marines and has showed back up in town, seemingly on a mission to get as far in the MMA world as possible. One thing the two brothers have in common is a fractured relationship with their estranged, alcoholic father Paddy (Nick Nolte) and their separate roads lead to a huge MMA tournement, where their paths inevitably cross.
While the story is a trifle cliched, it doesn't stop it being enthralling. And for the most part the tone of the film is very serious, particularly the relationship between the brothers and their father, that pulls no punches at all (no pun intended.) The only downside really is some of the subplots (namely one involving Brendan's students trying to watch him fight) almost seem like something from a different, cheesier film.
The performances throughout the film are superb, from Edgerton's subtle underdog family man to Hardy's slightly unhinged wrecking machine (damn it, just made an unintentional Rocky reference, apologies), but also brilliant is Nick Nolte. I know there's plenty of joke mileage to get out of it not taking a lot of effort for him to play an alcoholic, but it's a fantastic, heart breaking performance from a guy who should be in more films. Nolte always seems to have the small roles lately, it's great to see him given such a substantial character.
Also keep an eye out for former WWE superstar Kurt Angle as the feared Russian competitor Koba, who is odds on favourite to win the competition. Was quite amusing to see the very American athlete playing a Russian. I guess Dolph Lundgren was busy!
When we get to the tournement, we get to the fighting (although we get some smaller matches earlier), and these are superb. Obviously, I don't know much about MMA, but these were thrillingly shot, and brought out such a reaction from me at times, you'd think I was watching it live. Heart-poundingly good!
Without giving too much away (and this could be read as a positive rather than a negative), but at the end of the film I was desperate for it to continue. Things were left unanswered and unresolved, but anytime you want a 139 minute film (and it doesn't feel that long at all) to continue, the filmmakers must be doing something right.
****
Despite being a little corny in places, Warrior is a superb film, that whilst being more about the relationship between brothers and their father, still has plenty to please fight films. Great performances from the leads, and welcome back Nick Nolte. Highly recommended.
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