Coaching Duo Courts Controversy and Camaraderie

Read Time:3 Minute, 9 Second

SHORT FILM REVIEW
Warrior Strong
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Genre: Drama, Sport
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 1h 38m
Director(s): Shane Belcourt
Writer(s): Dan Gordon
Cast: Andrew Dice Clay, Jordan Johnson-Hinds, Rosa Blasi, Sarah Podemski
Where To Watch: in theaters and digital Friday, September 29, 2023

RAVING REVIEW: Amidst the bouncing basketballs and screeching sneakers, WARRIOR STRONG tackles a broad range of emotions, ideals, and redemption, resonating well beyond the echo of the game whistle. We step into the sneakers of Bilal Irving, portrayed by Jordan Johnson-Hinds, whose professional basketball voyage veers into a storm, eventually casting him ashore on the familiar grounds of his former high school. The tale unfolds as he assumes the mantle of a coach, steering young hoop dreams amidst the community, camaraderie, and old grievances.

A delightful twist in the tale emerges with the character of Avery Schmidt, a stern yet loveable figure of traditional coaching, brought to life by Andrew Dice Clay. The tension between the old-school Schmidt and the new-school Bilal morphs into a narrative all its own, spiraling beyond the tactical intricacies of basketball into a generational discourse.

Director Shane Belcourt covers more than just a sports drama but issues reflecting the evolving landscape of generational ideals as encapsulated in the basketball court. The term ‘warrior’ truly becomes the narrative, evolving with every dribble, pass, and shot, symbolizing the internal and external battles waged by the characters.

A perennial predicament, oft faced by sports dramas, nudges WARRIOR STRONG into the sphere of predictability. As we sprint towards the climax, the narrative seems to be dribbling around familiar tropes, particularly surrounding the undying underdog spirit. Despite an attempt to paint a broader picture by introducing a diverse cast, the execution felt like a loose ball on the court at times, barely scratching the surface of the characters’ backstories and, thus, mildly undermining the endeavor. Along with this, the casting seems a bit off for some of the remaining cast; these 20+ year-olds portraying high schoolers sometimes feel a little transparent.

Yet, amidst these minor hiccups, the charisma and conflict between Andrew Dice Clay and Jordan Johnson-Hinds capture the essence of WARRIOR STRONG. Their on-court confrontations and off-court hurdles are the crux that holds the narrative together, reflecting a beautiful contrast of emotions, aptly representing the age-old tussle between tradition and modernity.

WARRIOR STRONG nudges the heartstrings of anyone who has battled the odds, making it a tale of resilience and reconciliation. With a more intricate delve into its secondary characters and perhaps a sprinkle of unpredictability in its narrative arc, it could have soared from a comforting rebound to an exhilarating slam dunk in portraying life, legacy, and the love of basketball.

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[photo courtesy of QUIVER DISTRIBUTION]

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