An Electrifying Surprise

Rating: 10/10 (1 April 2019)

When first finding out about this little-known movie, I almost passed up a chance to check it out as a picture centered on Mixed Martial Arts was not ordinarily of any interest whatsoever to me. Then I saw the cast. If you see Joel Edgerton, Tom Hardy, and Nick Nolte in any cast, that is a clear sign that there is likely to be greatness in the production. These performers, and pretty much everyone else in this astonishing masterpiece are in pitch-perfect top form in a movie that, based on the number of "seen it all before" cliches, should not work; however, it is all so beautifully written, directed, photographed, edited, and scored that no serious movie buff should miss it. Beside the brilliantly pulse-pounding action highlights, the movie is loaded with deep, brilliantly drawn characters and their very human relationships, which make the outcome of the tale a matter of passionate concern for the viewer. Why this picture is not better known, and the recipient of many rewards and accolades, is a great mystery. See it on the biggest screen possible, with a good sound system, and you will be blown away. It has one of the most soul-stirring, cathartic finishes I have seen in many years. Director, Gavin O'Connor, who also co-wrote the script should be eternally proud of such a glorious accomplishment. You don't want to overlook "Warrior".