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Peaceful Warrior Review

Movies.com Critics

1.0

Dave White Profile

… ridiculous … Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    40

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times

    The sage-elder/wayward-charge saga Peaceful Warrior aims for inspirational highs but mostly feels like a self-help book read aloud by actors.

    Read Full Review

  • 40

    out of 100

    The New York Times

    For all its manifest corniness, this is an achingly sincere and supremely unembarrassed effort to transform an audience for the good. Its heart is very much in the right place - a place that movies all but ignore - but its mind is a mush.

    Read Full Review

  • 50

    out of 100

    Variety Robert Koehler

    Mere recitation of homilies for better living -- which is what Nick Nolte's gas station guru imparts to a struggling young gymnast -- and a half-baked account of the athlete's comeback are no substitutes for a complete movie.

    Read Full Review

  • 58

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Scott Brown

    In the ranks of improbable gymnastics coaches, Nick Nolte falls just below the cartoon version of Mr. T.

    Read Full Review

  • 63

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    Sometimes in an imperfect movie there is consolation simply in regarding the actors.

    Read Full Review

  • 70

    out of 100

    The Hollywood Reporter Sheri Linden

    Strong performances by Scott Mechlowicz as Millman and Nick Nolte as the mysterious mechanic who changes his life ground the film in effective drama.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Peaceful Warrior reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 12+

Like Karate Kid -- without the karate.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that although the content in this inspirational sports drama is fairly mild -- the hero parties a lot and sleeps with a string of women in the beginning but eventually transforms his life -- it won't be interesting to most kids and tweens. It's better suited to teens who are prone to thinking about self discovery and analysis. The somewhat-New Agey tale is based on a true story and deals with big issues like inner emptiness and the meaning of life -- not exactly light entertainment.

  • Families can talk about the goal of inspirational "mentor" tales. What do movies and TV shows that follow this kind of storyline have in common? Who are they trying to reach? Why do you think so many involve sports? Families can also discuss Socrates' sometimes-mixed messages about drinking, fighting, health and discipline, and being "in the moment." A lot of these points are alluded to in other martial-arts flicks, but they're often lost in a fog of kung-fu fighting. Do you think this film's non-violent approach is more effective?

The good stuff
  • message true3

    Messages: Through mentoring, Dan evolves from a cocky, disrespectful guy with an appetite for casual sex, junk food, and drink into a better person. Socrates demonstrates compassion for difficult people and even refuses to fight his way out of a robbery. (But some of Socrates' stunts -- like sitting in the rafters of a gym -- shouldn't be emulated.)

What to watch for
  • violence false0

    Violence: Dan suffers a leg fracture from a car accident in a clinical close up. He also gets a mild taste of Socrates' martial-arts skills, but the older man later refrains from using violence in an alley brawl and mugging.

  • sex false3

    Sex: Glimpses of the hero in bed with assorted girls (suggestive of his manly jock status on campus).

  • language false0

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false3

    Consumerism: A big plug for Texaco gas, and there's a natural tie-in with the books (and seminars) of author Dan Millman.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: Social drinking. To Dan's surprise, Socrates doesn't abstain (which one might expect of a mentor type).

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

© Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.535
Read all reviews Write a review at Fandango
5

Peaceful Warrior is a must see! by donak
I absolutely loved the movie. Saddest thing was I was in a theater with only 3 others watching. In today's world, EVERYONE needs to see this movie! The acting was credible and the story was inspiring. The crowds were watching the no meaning no inspiration crap in other theaters, I don't need to see turtles or death or car crashes... give me a life lesson for the price of a ticket and I've gotten a great bargain. I don't want to tell you anything about the film except go. Enjoy. And try to get more theaters to play it and get EVERYONE you know to go too. You'll be glad you did. Oh, and "professional critics"... get a life, let the lesson settle in to your brain. This is a great movie.

1

by webkinz rock

5

Great subject. by NYHoya
Better than the book. It would have been helpful having an actor with a better athletic build to make the gymnastics cuts realistic. Great story. OK for all ages.

5

by wildheart

4

by moviecraze13225

3

by ruthannewman

Read all Peaceful Warrior reviews at Fandango
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