This is the sequel to the 1994 movie "Once were warriors", and once again follows the footsteps of pub brawler Jake 'the Muss' Heke.
So its 5 years after the original, whats changed? Well Beth (Rena Owen), Jakes once abused wife, has found herself a new home and a new love interest. Jake's still unemployed, at least at first, and begins the film much how we left him at the end of the last one. Jakes attitude starts to change however, when he looses one of his sons, Nig, to a gang fight. Jake starts to realise he will have to change the way he lives, and makes amends to rebuilt family relationships whilst bettering himself at the same time.
The primary relationship we see him trying to rebuild is which his other son, Sonny, who is not mentioned in OWW. Sonny wants to avenge his brothers death, so enters the dark and dangerous world of gang warfare in an attempt to target the man responsible. Sonny treats Jake with Hostility and contempt at first, which makes it harder for Jakes, who is genuinely sorry for the way he acted in the past. Anyone who hadn't seen OWW may feel sorry for Jake viewing this!! Whilst Once were Warriors displayed Jake as a drunken, selfish bully. Here we see a more sober, more remorseful, and most of all more responsible man, one that the audience can actually like instead of fear. It is Jake's path to redemption.
This film is a lot easier to watch than the bleak 'Once were Warriors'. The domestic abuse is kept to an absolute minimum, and we do not have to endure watching a family tear itself apart at the hands of a drunken thug. It is not as powerful or gripping as OWW, as it does not deal with the same themes and issues quite in such a direct fashion, but it does serve as a testament that Jake isn't what we thought he was. There is a HUMAN under there who cares about those he loves.
So its 5 years after the original, whats changed? Well Beth (Rena Owen), Jakes once abused wife, has found herself a new home and a new love interest. Jake's still unemployed, at least at first, and begins the film much how we left him at the end of the last one. Jakes attitude starts to change however, when he looses one of his sons, Nig, to a gang fight. Jake starts to realise he will have to change the way he lives, and makes amends to rebuilt family relationships whilst bettering himself at the same time.
The primary relationship we see him trying to rebuild is which his other son, Sonny, who is not mentioned in OWW. Sonny wants to avenge his brothers death, so enters the dark and dangerous world of gang warfare in an attempt to target the man responsible. Sonny treats Jake with Hostility and contempt at first, which makes it harder for Jakes, who is genuinely sorry for the way he acted in the past. Anyone who hadn't seen OWW may feel sorry for Jake viewing this!! Whilst Once were Warriors displayed Jake as a drunken, selfish bully. Here we see a more sober, more remorseful, and most of all more responsible man, one that the audience can actually like instead of fear. It is Jake's path to redemption.
This film is a lot easier to watch than the bleak 'Once were Warriors'. The domestic abuse is kept to an absolute minimum, and we do not have to endure watching a family tear itself apart at the hands of a drunken thug. It is not as powerful or gripping as OWW, as it does not deal with the same themes and issues quite in such a direct fashion, but it does serve as a testament that Jake isn't what we thought he was. There is a HUMAN under there who cares about those he loves.