Metascore

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 31 Ratings

  • Starring: Amy Smart, Nick Nolte, Scott Mechlowicz
  • Summary: Dan Millman (Mechlowicz) is a talented college gymnast with Olympic dreams. He has it all: trophies, teammates, fast motorcycles, fast girls and wild parties. Then Dan's world is turned upside down when he meets a mysterious stranger he calls Socrates (Nolte), who holds the power to tap into new worlds of strength and understanding. After a serious injury, with the help of Socrates and an elusive young woman named Joy (Smart), Dan discovers that he has much to learn and even more to leave behind before he can become a peaceful warrior and find his destiny. This moving tale about the power of the human spirit is based on Dan Millman's best-selling autobiographical novel, Way of the Peaceful Warrior. (Lionsgate) Expand
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 23
  2. Negative: 9 out of 23
  1. Strong performances by Scott Mechlowicz as Millman and Nick Nolte as the mysterious mechanic who changes his life ground the film in effective drama.
  2. Cult-favorite director Victor Salva ("Jeepers Creepers" I & II) is a competent visual storyteller and the film believes in itself so strongly (and with such a straight face) that it's hard not to halfway enjoy it.
  3. In the ranks of improbable gymnastics coaches, Nick Nolte falls just below the cartoon version of Mr. T.
  4. Reviewed by: Michael Phillips
    38
    The cast is quite good. But Peaceful Warrior, which is basically "The Karate Kid" with a bigger kid and a bigger mentor, represents a journey of predictability, rather than a destination worth the trouble.

See all 23 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 18
  3. Negative: 3 out of 18
  1. SuzieG.
    10
    This is an amazing movie. It really changed my perspective of things.
  2. VeronicaE.
    8
    Enjoyable and inspirational. The Peaceful Warrior charged me up. I was relieved that the essence of the book was strong and that its message of transformation could be lively and fun. What a relief that movies can be an event that lifts us to greater perspectives. I noticed that the critics are so in their cyncal marketable heads. But how refreshing it is when we can hold possibility and even revel in it for two hours...so beyond the rush we get from violence and suspicion. Maybe we can create more and better movies that challenge us to experience our own potential. Expand
  3. TommyS.
    7
    Good move, but dragged a bit.
  4. KellyM.
    2
    This movie was so full of cliches. It was also way too long. Don't waste your time.

See all 18 User Reviews

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