Once Were Warriors
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VHS Movie Reviews of Once Were Warriors
Movie Review: great kiwi movie
Summary: 5 Stars
great movie... don't watch alone as this is a very power movie about a dysfunctional family in new zealandMovie Review: Absolutely powerful
Summary: 5 Stars
This is the most powerful movie that shows domestic violence and sexual assault that I or my associates have seen. It is remarkably well done and tasteful, but very powerful. I show it to domestic violence, anger management and sexual assault clients in my practice.Movie Review: Moving but disturbing story of a urban Maori family
Summary: 5 Stars
When I first watched Once Were Warriors I had no idea of what to except. From the jacket I knew it was drama that centered around the lives of a urban Maori family living in Aukland, New Zealand. Being that I am an American fasinated with American urban life I decided to give Once Were Warriors a try. I am gratified with the end result but also shocked by many of the depictions. Life for a Maori seems plagued with many of the ills that you find in urban areas in most metropolitan or even smaller towns and cities in America.
From my reserch I understand that Once Were Warriors was written by a Maori novelist that grew up in a neighboorhood similar in Wellington. I cannot judge on how realistic his depictions are but he definately does present a very engaging story.
The film made me feel the emotions of every single member of the Heike clan. Ultimately, I felt sympathy for all the characters including Jake. Jake was a tragic figure that was a loveable monster. Of all the characters, I felt the most sympathy for Grace who had an ambition to make it out of her surrounding a be more. I will not spoil the movie but say that what happens to Grace literally turned my stomach in disgust. Just for the initial reaction shows how power this film is and why exactly it deserves a 5 star rating.
Just a note: I would like to see more movies done about the Maori people that showcase also the indigenous culture and spirtual traditions of the Maori. Once Were Warriors was nice but I would like also some other kind of Maori films as well.
Movie Review: New Zealand Was Changed By This Movie
Summary: 4 Stars
I read about this movie in a travel guide after my wife refused to see it with me. Tatoos and native carved artwork became more popular because of this movie. The Aborigines of Australia were slightly less warlike but still battled exploring white people. One Maori chief was introduced to civilization and given gifts that he traded for rifles and led his people against his Maori enemies. This started an arms race of tribal extermination. What you see in the movie may be an improvement over their history.
I like movies that are not shot full of political correctness. I think that I will like this one. The more troubleing it is may make it more potent to induce change.
Movie Review: "You're still a slave Jake. To your fists. To the drink. To yourself."
Summary: 5 Stars
The best word to describe this film is..... Powerful. This film makes "Menace to Society" look benevolent in comparison.
"Once Were Warriors" is a film that you are instantly bound to watch, simply because it presents a world that most people are not familiar with. I believe most Americans (me included) and others around the world have heard of the Maori - the native peoples of New Zealand. But how many can say that they have an idea of what kind of lives these people lead or what the modern day culture looks like. As far as I know, Lee Tamahori is one of the first directors to show us this culture, which many Americans will instantly compare with south central L.A. gang life and the decay of Native American reservation life.
The film's opening scene is very clever. We are shown a beautiful N.Z. countryside of what most of New Zealand must have looked like before British colonization. Then the camera pulls back to reveal that it is just a billboard in the middle of the urban insanity that we are all too familiar with - concrete highways. We are then introduced to an urban ghetto where hip-hop culture looks as though it has latched on to Maori youth and bar brawling and 40 ounces are all that the rest seem to live for. Among the latter group is Jake Heke, a macho abusive drunk living with a wife to whom he shows no respect and five kids that he couldn't care less about. There are many qualities to this film and one being the characters. The local actors are superbly cast, their performances strong and complimentary. Rena Owen's performance in the film is one of the Best I have ever seen. She is powerfully convincing as the mother who strives to hold her family together. Her inner strength in the role makes the film so spellbinding. The film also boasts an infectious soundtrack of reggae-tinged pop/rock which effectively underscores the psychological tension throughout.
Lee Tamahori did a great job directing this. Viewers should be warned that there are disturbing scenes of violence against the female characters. However you should not avoid the film because of this. In the end, it can be seen as an inspirational story of how inner strength and love can overcome. Being that this film was also recommended to me, I highly recommend this film as well.