This is the first movie review I've done here, or at wotmania. Bear with me if it's a bit clunky or disjointed. I recently rewatched a movie that initially triggered quite an emotional response from me. I'm glad I did, because I think the movie is fantastic. I hope this review inspires some discussion, but even if it doesn't, I needed to get this off my chest.

I originally watched Once Were Warriors more than a decade ago. A younger man just recently having felt the sorrow of losing loved ones, this movie openned the floodgates. I remember breaking down watching this movie. That hasn't happenned very often for me, and I'm not one who seeks a 'good cry' from a movie. Sure I'll tear up at movies at times, but I'm not one to sob uncontrollably watching movies (notable exception being American History X, a discussion for another day ). I remember being glad I was alone when I watched this one for the first time; I was a wreck.

Naturally I avoided it for a while. But, I wanted to see it again when I was a bit more hardened to the world. So I watched it again the other day. I have to say that I was impressed. Dated now, this movie still packs a punch. It is raw, edgy, brutal, and beautiful. The acting is top notch, and the story is heartbreaking. I'm not going to put any spoilers in this review, but I'll be glad to include them if any discussion happens in this thread.

The major elements in the story involve domestic violence, alcoholism, child molestation, suicide, poverty, and prejudice. The presentation, while raw and brutal, refrains from being overly graphic. There is ugliness in the movie, but I don't think it was overdone. Underlying all of the above content is a portrayal of an ancient culture at odds with modern life. I'm no expert about Maori culture in modern New Zealand, but this movie depicts modern urban decay vs. the beauty of an ancient culture very well. Yet, the ideal of the ancient culture is shown to be flawed as well.

I rate this movie very high in quality (5 of 5 stars if I were to use that rating system). I understand that my extremely emotional initial reaction to it was influenced by what was going on in my life during my first viewing, but many years later it still struck a chord with me. Put it on your netflix list and save it or a rainy day. It is a 'must see' in my opinion.