Plot
After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi, a Maori chieftain's teenage son, must avenge his father's murder in order to bring peace and honor to the souls of his ... See full summary »
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 6.5/10 (797 voted)
Critic's Score: /100
Director: Toa Fraser
Stars: James Rolleston, Lawrence Makoare, Te Kohe Tuhaka
Storyline
After his tribe is slaughtered through an act of treachery, Hongi, a Maori chieftain's teenage son, must avenge his father's murder in order to bring peace and honor to the souls of his loved ones. Vastly outnumbered by a band of villains, Hongi's only hope is to pass through the feared and forbidden Dead Lands and forge an uneasy alliance with the mysterious Warrior, a ruthless fighter who has ruled the area for years.
Cast: James Rolleston -
Hongi
Lawrence Makoare -
The Warrior
Te Kohe Tuhaka -
Wirepa
Xavier Horan -
Rangi
Raukura Turei -
Mehe
George Henare -
Tane
Rena Owen -
Grandmother
Pana Hema Taylor -
Mana
Calvin Tuteao -
Ka
Jamus Webster -
Tahi
Bianca Hyslop -
Pipi
Isabella Rakete -
Keri
Matariki Whatarau -
Tama
Wairangi Koopu -
Raupatu
Jeff Ruha -
Mere
Trivia:
Official submission of New Zealand to the best foreign language film category of the 87th Academy Awards 2015. See more »
User Review
Author:
Rating: 8/10
This film delivers on the trailer's promise of an out of the box, skull
crushing, action epic. It begins as a basic fable, but gains complexity
as the story unfolds, all while hitting frequent action beats. The
warrior's character in particular is more than a typical anti-hero,
having far more of the "anti" than a Hollywood archetype.
I came for stylish brutality and badass fights, and this film delivers
on both counts. As a martial arts film fan, I found the use of
traditional Mauri weapons a fresh take on the genre. The choreography
also holds up to a Hong Kong standard, but with a unique and brutal
feel. All in all, it's a very memorable action epic. More than worth
your time.
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