Warrior Review
Warrior is a new martial arts-themed drama set in 1800s San Francisco and based on the writings of Bruce Lee.
This review is spoiler-free!
How to watch: Cinemax
# of episodes: 10
Language: English (subtitles available)
Starring: Andrew Koji, Jason Tobin, Olivia Cheng
Creator: Jonathan Tropper
Rating: TV-MA
Release Date: 04/05/2019(USA)
Style: Action, Martial Arts, Civil War Period
For more information, visit the show’s IMDB page.
In early March I opened my email to a surprise. HBO was reaching out to me to see if I wanted to interview Shannon Lee.
Let’s pause here for dramatic effect.
They talked about a new show she was producing based on a concept from her Father, Bruce Lee. As part of the promotional efforts, they were reaching out to a number of outlets and included me. Of course, I accepted, and I ultimately was able to interview Ms. Lee. (You can find the episode of whistlekick Martial Arts Radio with Shannon Lee.) Additionally, I was granted full access to Season 1 of Warrior, which began airing on Cinemax on April 5, 2019. The season hasn’t finished airing yet, but I’ve watched each episode.
This is where I should insert some sort of tongue-out emoji or gif. But I won’t.
As you can imagine, I am bombarded with books to read. I have a large stack of them I promise I will get to. I can’t even keep up on the movie releases from guests and friends, though I do a better job of that. And that’s why Warrior is worth noting. I didn’t have any trouble finding time to watch this show.
Why? Because it is, in a word, amazing.
I’ve talked about the importance of martial arts culture. Of TV shows like Into the Badlands and Iron Fist. About how we, as martial artists, need to get down off our high horses and welcome the efforts that Hollywood is making to appease us.
But, no. Iron Fist season 2 was criticized just as badly as the first. Into the Badlands aired it’s final episode last night. (And I blame many of you for not watching.)
Season 2 of Warrior has already been renewed, which says something about the way it’s been received. The show is both familiar and unique, with a quality that I’ve never seen before in a martial arts show.
Most martial arts shows and movies are hollow excuses to display fight scenes. The plot and characters matter little, and you might even find yourself fast forwarding to the good parts. Not this show.
Show Review: 8/10
Set in post Civil War San Francisco, the plot lines are as good as the fight scenes. Excellent character development, good writing, and a story that makes sense. Within a couple of episodes, you start to recognize the characters and remember what drives them. You see the actors embrace their roles in a way that I rarely see happen in martial arts productions. As I said, there’s something unique about this show.
Martial Arts Review: 8/10
They’re really good. Not in a fantastic way, like Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Nor an overly violent way like The Raid. Good in the way that you can see the skill of the actors and stunt doubles. In the way that you can appreciate the time the fight choreographer put in. And if you look quickly, you’ll be forgiven for thinking that star Andrew Koji is related to Bruce Lee. Not in look, but in the way he moves.
Overall Review: 8/10
When I spoke with Shannon Lee ahead of the airing of the show, she told me how important it was that production reflect her Father’s vision. And part of that was paying homage to the man who generated the idea. An idea which, according to Hollywood legend, was stolen from him and repackaged as Kung Fu.
Do yourself a favor and watch this show. Whether you watch as a fan of Bruce Lee, of martial arts, or period dramas, it’s an excellent show. I’m pleased HBO has renewed for Season 2 and I’m excited to see what unfolds.
Warrior
The Good
- Excellent plot lines
- Good character development
- Great choreography
The Bad
- Bloodiness may be too much for some
- Heavy cultural overtones
- Martial Journal Print Edition – Debut Issue - July 1, 2021
- Warrior: Season One Discussion (Spoiler Free) - May 15, 2019
- Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Movie Review - April 3, 2019
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