Customer Reviews

Peaceful Warrior

5 star:		(133)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

I saw this movie back in April and I can say it was truly awesome and very inspirational! According to previous reviews this movie has been out since last summer. I received free tickets to see this courtesy of blockbuster, otherwise I probably would have never came across this movie. Dan Millman is a gymnast who is a popular jock and seems to have it all. Dan has a great body, good looks, and has a charm that allows him to get almost any girl. All this seems to be great for Dan's ego, but deep down inside he is far from happy. He starts to have these violent dreams that keep him up late at night. One night when Dan can not sleep he wanders in to a service station and meets a mysterious man. This man who Dan calls "Socrates" will help take him on one of the most amazing journeys of his life. This journey will become one of the most important things when Dan has a motorcycle accident and shatters one of his legs along with his dreams of being in the Olympics. Peaceful Warrior is based on a book, and the movie is one of the most inspiring movies to come out in a very long time. I will not say any more because I don't want to ruin it for those who have not seen it. I will say this is one great movie and Im glad it is finally coming to DVD. I highly recommend this great movie!

Based on allegedly actual events chronicled in Dan Millman's book `Way of the Peaceful Warrior' the film `Peaceful Warrior' released in `05 takes the audience on a shamanic spiritual journey in the most unlikely of places, a twentieth century urban center, more precisely, Berkley, California.

Synopsis: Dan Millman is a top gymnast at U. C. Berkley yet despite his many successes he feels empty and incomplete inside. Plagued by dreams of failure Dan is unable to sleep and finds himself wandering the streets in the early hours of the morning. When he stops at an all night gas station and service mart he meets a man of unconventional wisdom who begins to instruct him on the process of clearing his mind of all the useless garbage it contains in order to view himself and the world around him in a brand new way.

`Peaceful Warrior' is one of those rare films that both entertains and teaches without sacrificing one for the other. The production values are high, the dialogue believable and the performances strong. Scott Mechlowicz was definitely the right choice to play the role of Berkley gymnast Dan Millman and Nick Nolte delivers one of his best performances in years as the mysterious Socrates, garage attendant and "New Age" Zen Master. Add to the mix Amy Smart as Dan's love interest Joy and you have a little romance as well. I did find the film to be slightly uneven here and there, the best moments taking place whenever Nick Nolte (Socrates) is on screen. However the message is so well presented and the actors so amiable any minor gliches are forgivable.

My Rating: 4 1/2 Stars.

This film is a wonderful experience worth watching several times to get the full impact. Let me preface this by saying I had not read the book prior to seeing the movie. Some people told me that they preferred the book (which is often true of book-to-film adaptations). I disagree- while I have since read the book and think it is great, I prefer the film. The film is about a young man's lessons in life--what works and what doesn't. Yes, the philosophy could be considered simple or basic, but it's also true and it doesn't hurt to be reminded of some of these "truths" once in awhile since most movies don't do that. The acting is excellent-- the characters are given some depth- particularly the lead role, Socrates, and the coach. Believable and honest. I think it has universal appeal-- but I particularly hope that a lot of adolescent boys see it-- it will give them something to ponder-- something which most "car crash" movies usually aimed at that demographic don't do. Parents- this is a movie for your teenagers (I don't think children under 13 would get it--plus there are some semi-violent images). When trying to convince friends and others to watch it, I often show chapter 8 from the disc (where Socrates teaches the athlete a lesson- won't spoil the surprise here)-- it definitely makes people want to see the film.

What an awesome film! This is the very kind of film that can transform our mad society into a more conscientious and peaceful place. In an era of extreme politics & religion, this film brings so many wonderful things together in an almost fantastical way that a lot of us wish we experienced. Without any politics, God or heavy religion guilt trips, it delivers a tremendous message of accountability, prosperity and hope.
This movie impacted me in the most fabulous way. Nick Nolte who has the reputation of one the wildest druggies, rebels and maniacs; in this film he plays "Socrates" the angel. I hope his life has truly changed and this film is a reflection of how his life is now. Highly recommended and hope that the film gets 30,000 viewings so it can make it to the Big Screen. Not just independent theaters.

Let me preface this by saying I had not read the book prior to seeing the movie. I'm told that those who have read the book might be disappointed in this film (but that's usually true, I think...). That said, this is an excellent film about a young man's lessons in life--what works and what doesn't. Yes, the philosophy is rather simple, but it's also true and it doesn't hurt to be reminded of some of these "truths" once in awhile since most movies don't do that. The acting is excellent-- the characters are given some depth- particularly the lead role, Socrates, and the coach. Believable and honest. I think it has universal appeal-- but I particularly hope that a lot of adolescent boys see it-- it will give them something to ponder-- something which most "car crash" movies usually aimed at that demographic don't do. Parents- this is a movie to take your adolescents to (I don't think children under 13 would get it--plus there are some semi-violent images) and have a good discussion over some ice cream afterward.

Here's one great movie which is headed; eventually, to become a cult classic like Star Wars, the Matrix and What the Bleep do we know??: A movie that will open up one's mind to ponder the mysteries of the divine universe and our relationship to and in it. What really impressed me about the movie is how it closely followed the sequence and events in the book. In addition to the scene where Socrates exemplified Jesus by giving away all of his and Dan's personal items in order to avoid physical conflict.

Whether you believe this or not, "synchronicity" brought you "here" and to my humble review and recommendation of this movie: This movie provides the navigation and road map for you to discover the "meta-purpose" of why you are "here" and how to learn to follow your own path through this 3D reality.

First of all, there are many complex meta-elements in this movie; such as, (1) the issues of violence against oneself, (2) the seeking of approval from others and the outside "world," (3) how the vast majority of people sleep-walk through life and don't exist, feel and live in the moment and experience real joy, (4) service to others is the ultimate purpose of one's existence, (5) developing non-attachment to trinkets (material stuff) and the drama of daily events, (6) realizing that what one experiences and learns along the journey is what's important and not the goal in itself, (7) clearing out the garbage within one's mind in order to sense, feel and experience everything which is happening around oneself, (8) the universe is a mirror and reflection of what's going on within your head ~ you create your reality, (9) there's a very big difference between knowledge and wisdom, and (10) the true answers to all of one's questions are centered and anchored within you already, which is where the kingdom of God and heaven is, and all you need to do is still your thoughts and monkey-mind to access them.

What also stands out in this movie are the contrasts between Dan Millman, who is an immature, arrogant, and self-absorbed college gymnast and Socrates whom is exemplified as the wise sage, mentor and teacher. As the movie progresses from beginning to end, I realized that this movie followed the path of what Joseph Campbell referred to as the "Journey of the Hero." The journey of the hero involves: (1) doubt, denial, anger & disbelief, (2) separation and isolation from the "world," (3) death to one's beliefs, experience & initiation, (4) understanding, resolution, acceptance, integration and the fusion of knowledge into wisdom, and (5) the "return" to reality and society in order to be of service to others. This concept is very similar to Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross's stages of Death and Dying and Eric Erickson's psychological levels of growth and development in which the highest level is self-actualization in which very few people ever achieve or reach.

Let me reiterate my following statement; "synchronicity brought you here to read everyone's reviews, and mine, of this highly recommended and spiritual movie." If you start knocking, doors (universes, answers and realities) will open up to you; if you ask the appropriate questions, answers will come to you; and if you sincerely seek, you will find that special mentor, teacher and resource(s) to guide you along your "hero's journey" in this 3D reality... May peace be with you, my friends!!!

There haven't been many movies that I've seen more than once in the theater and I've seen this 3 times. This movie is a wonderful story, a great complement to the book. And the presentation of some of the wisdom is downright joyous and funny at times. It is filled with things that you will be thinking about months and years later. I still am. The actors did a great job. Nick Nolte was a joy as Socrates. This will be in my library as soon as it comes out.

A beautiful film on Dan Millman's personal journey into a life beyond illusions... from a young ambitious and very ego-centric athlete soaking in pride to the humbling experience that gave him the courage to conquer his inner demons... this film is a brilliant portrayal of letting go of who we think we are (identity, ego, intellect, etc) so we can claim the bliss of the moment. In a world dominated by the vices of greed, anger, envy, and lust, etc ... the way of the Peaceful Warrior is like a modern-day rendition of the Buddha story... in the sense that it is all about conquering our demons and living our true selves in service to life.

Its hard for a movie to stay good to a book like the Peaceful Warrior, but this movie does! I want to see it again! It's a shame what people are missing because this is not 'a mainstream movie'.

No, it's not better than the book, nor is it less. The movie complements the book as perfectly as the book complements the movie. The question I had when I heard they were making The Way of the Peaceful Warrior into a movie was, "How do you capture the essence of this esoteric book on the big screen?" The answer is...just like this. With a brilliant screenplay, brilliant direction and brilliant acting, especially by Nick Nolte. Fans of the book and newcomers alike will be inspired!

If you enjoyed the book and the movie, I would also recommend Dan Millman's "prequel" book The Journeys of Socrates. It's a great story that provides background and insight into the life of Socrates, plus some surprises that I won't give away...