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Warrior

Name: Warrior
Genre: Action, Drama
Released: September 9, 2011
Duration: 139 min
Rating: 71
Cast: Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy

2011

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critics

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 470 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	Your Score
8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 470 Ratings

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WARRIOR

Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: September 9, 2011 | PG-13

Starring: Joel Edgerton, Nick Nolte, Tom Hardy

Summary: An ex-Marine haunted by a tragic past, Tommy Riordan returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh and enlists his father, a recovered alcoholic and his former coach, to train him for an MMA tournament awarding the biggest purse in the history of the sport. As Tommy blazes a violent path towards the title prize, his brother, Brendan, a former MMAAn ex-Marine haunted by a tragic past, Tommy Riordan returns to his hometown of Pittsburgh and enlists his father, a recovered alcoholic and his former coach, to train him for an MMA tournament awarding the biggest purse in the history of the sport. As Tommy blazes a violent path towards the title prize, his brother, Brendan, a former MMA fighter unable to make ends meet as a public school teacher, returns to the amateur ring to provide for his family. Even though years have passed, recriminations and past betrayals keep Brendan bitterly estranged from both Tommy and his father. But when Brendan's unlikely rise as an underdog sets him on a collision course with Tommy, the two brothers must finally confront the forces that tore them apart, all the while waging the most intense, winner-takes-all battle of their lives. (Lionsgate)

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Director: Gavin O'Connor

Genre(s): Action, Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 139 min

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Awards & Rankings

55	#55 Most Discussed Movie of 2011
79	#79 Most Shared Movie of 2011

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Dan Jolin

Sep 3, 2011

It hardly rewrites the rulebook, but Warrior is a powerful, moving and brilliant sports-pic-cum-family drama. Like "The Fighter," but with kicking. Read full review

A.O. Scott

Sep 8, 2011

It is appropriately blunt, powerful and relentless, a study of male bodies in sweaty motion and masculine emotions in teary turmoil. Read full review

Andrea Gronvall

Sep 8, 2011

This high-powered sports melodrama benefits from its strong male leads, a sinewy narrative, and the maverick attitude of MMA. But for all the contemporary references, it's essentially a spin on the story of Cain and Abel, which may be the reason it feels timeless. Read full review

Rex Reed

Sep 6, 2011

It overcomes inescapable boxing and martial arts clichés and leaves you thoroughly sated, energized and wanting more. Read full review

Peter Travers

Sep 8, 2011

Warrior aspires to myth. It's Cain and Abel battling it out in the face of a decidedly ungodly father before humanity goes down for the count. Strong stuff. Read full review

Peter Rainer

Sep 10, 2011

Warrior becomes increasingly shameless until, by the end, with the big fights fought, we are clearly meant to rise as one and applaud the indomitability of the human spirit. But the only indomitable thing about Warrior are its clichés. Read full review

Kyle Smith

Sep 9, 2011

A cheap exploitation picture wrapped in miles and miles of stale would-be Oscar scenes. Read full review

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User Reviews

ydnar4

Mar 13, 2015

Warrior could be the best sports film I have ever seen and what makes it even cooler is that it is not based on a true story like most of the sport films of today. This movie was amazing after the first hour and a half. I would have given it a ten if it ended then but the last forty minutesWarrior could be the best sports film I have ever seen and what makes it even cooler is that it is not based on a true story like most of the sport films of today. This movie was amazing after the first hour and a half. I would have given it a ten if it ended then but the last forty minutes only supported my decision. One of the most emotional and original films I have ever seen. You really feel for all of the main cast in this film. I went into this film thinking I was going to be impressed by Tom Hardy but I feel that Joel Edgerton had the better performance. Nick Nolte was also amazing in this film, it was probably the best role I've seen him play. Warrior is not only one of the best sports films I've seen but one of the best films I've seen period.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Rainer

Dec 23, 2011

Best movie. Mens and boys who have brothers can truly understand the point of this movie. In the end of the movie even the hardest guys will cry some tears.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MRedzuan

Sep 24, 2011

Best movie of the year hands down. Very unique in that it does not have a clear antagonist. You're rooting for all of them each with their own promises to fulfill. Tom Hardy's Tommy is just outstanding, the level of intensity showcased is unbelievably scary. Joel Edgerton's Brendan who isBest movie of the year hands down. Very unique in that it does not have a clear antagonist. You're rooting for all of them each with their own promises to fulfill. Tom Hardy's Tommy is just outstanding, the level of intensity showcased is unbelievably scary. Joel Edgerton's Brendan who is trying to make ends meet as a school teacher moonlights as a fighter in parking lots after hours to provide for his family and Nick Nolte's heart-breaking performance as the willing-to-do-anything-to-make-it-right-again estranged father of his two distant sons. And that barely scratched the surface of their story, the depth of the characters is amazingly rich. The first half of the movie builds the foundation for the brothers, their present lives, their rough childhood and their own motivations to get back in the cage, it's as exciting and entertaining as the fighting scenes itself. There's about 4-5 climaxes in Warrior it's outstanding. Unlike a lot of sports/boxing movies we've seen you feel the high-octane scenes. You're really immersed in the fighting sequences, you feel every punch, every kick, every takedown and every headlock because you care about the characters, you know the journey of how they got where they are and you know all too well their hopes and promises to the people they care for.… Expand

10 of 13 users found this helpful103

B3ckett

Dec 21, 2011

"A brother's love is... a brother's love". A stupid sentence from "Gone in 60 seconds" comes in suprisingly well for this movie. It's a film that, based on it's premises, should be a complete cliche. And it is. But...but! It builds on it. What you expect to be a cliche, comes as a well"A brother's love is... a brother's love". A stupid sentence from "Gone in 60 seconds" comes in suprisingly well for this movie. It's a film that, based on it's premises, should be a complete cliche. And it is. But...but! It builds on it. What you expect to be a cliche, comes as a well served emotional moment.
From almost the start you know how it will end. And it does. And I don't mind it.
It's just like looking at a kitten at YT. You know it's probably gonna be cute and it bores you. But when you watch the clip you go "mom, please".
The same goes for this movie.

The actors excel, each and every one. You don't get to hear the whole story or see them do what you expect. The brother's meeting should be about "I had problems", "well, i have problems, too".
No. They don't say it. They define where they are now. They don't exchange problems. They keep 'em to themselves. While you know it well, the keep them to themselves. And that's what makes this film worth watching.

I kept my fists closed even if I knew what was going to happen. And that's a great thing for me, especially. This is the best movie I've seen this year.

Nick Nolte has established himself in my eyes as one of the best old generation actors now (above and beyond De Niro or Pacino, seriously!) and Hard on the newbies side. Joel Edgerton provides as well, while Jennifer Morrison is no longer irritation as in House M.D. Kudos for all the cast. And I mean ALL.

The whole thing is a bit long, but trust me... it's worth the investment.
Especially... when you have a brother...… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Mohammad_Ali_Y

Aug 6, 2015

for a movie like this, i can say the word "complete" and complete for it, is a rate between 8-9. drama & twists are good, actors acting good & even more! in fact every single piece of warrior is necessary for making it to "warrior"! recommended!

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Cyph0n

Dec 22, 2011

This movie is about two brothers and their inner and outer conflicts with each other and with the world around them. What makes this film special though is where and how they resolve their conflicts: a fight in a MMA tournament.

The build-up to that final moment is almost perfect: seamless,This movie is about two brothers and their inner and outer conflicts with each other and with the world around them. What makes this film special though is where and how they resolve their conflicts: a fight in a MMA tournament.

The build-up to that final moment is almost perfect: seamless, calm, yet not too boring all the same. Back stories and history of the two and what role their father plays is brought in gradually and in an interesting manner.

Yes, the first part of the film may be quite long, and may be boring in the minds of people who adore action, but once the film enters the second part, pure adrenaline-pumping suspense kicks its way onto the big screen. I've watched tons of movies, from nearly all genres, but never have I watched a film that captures true and gritty combat in such a realistic way. The fight choreography is superb. Add to that the fact that the fight scenes are captured using a wobbly camera, making the fights all the more realistic. Many may dislike this realistic touch, but I loved it, because it helps you to integrate your mindset with that of the characters, that is, it aids in reflecting the emotions and desires of the two characters. During some moments, I sincerely felt like I was the one taking hits. The camera angles, the shakiness, and the excellent fight choreography make this film a masterpiece in the realistic aspect of it all.

To top it all off, the two brothers are both "heroes", but it ultimately depends on personal preference when it comes to differentiating good from bad.

The best film of 2011? No, I don't believe it is, but Warrior surely deserves to be among the top 5 films of 2011. Watch it. Now.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

raporgi

Oct 5, 2014

stupid movie and an insult to knowledgable mma fans. A walk-in that just mauls resident fighters at an mma gym? Phucking ripping the doors off a tank and disappearing? What a load of sheeeet A highschool teachers with one of the squishiest guards in mma history makes it to the finals andstupid movie and an insult to knowledgable mma fans. A walk-in that just mauls resident fighters at an mma gym? Phucking ripping the doors off a tank and disappearing? What a load of sheeeet A highschool teachers with one of the squishiest guards in mma history makes it to the finals and defeats the undefeated Russian machine? This is just blatant flag waving crap!… Expand

2 of 7 users found this helpful25

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