Saturday's Warrior

Thi smight be the cheesiest movie in the history of ever.

While I can admit that this movie wouldn't appeal to many people outside the Latter-Day Saint community, I still feel it's a decent movie to watch...especially for children that are born and raised LDS. The plot can't be reduced to something simple--on the surface, it's the story of a family and some of their acquaintances before, during, and after mortal life. But the most important part, in my opinion, is the subtext--how do we really know what's the truth, or is what our parents/church have been telling us since we were small really the truth? Jimmy's struggles with that are what many people--no matter what religion--go through at some point in their life, and the movie does a good job at showing that internal battle. As I said, it's not the greatest movie in the world, but it does a good job where it counts.

This is a fun movie with a good score. The 1989 hair/clothes/etc. are fun to see for those of us who actually went to high school in the 80's. The themes/plots of this story are very specific to LDS theology, and probably wouldn't be appreciated by those outside the faith, as review by "jazzapostle" indicates. Jazzapostle had a hard time differentiating between the movie and LDS theology, and would probably be better off intelligently criticizing movies instead offensively criticizing other people's religions. It would also be helpful, if commenting on other people's beliefs, to get their facts straight. Thanks!

People who aren't members of the LDS church will most likely not like this movie. People who are members of the LDS will quite possibly not like this movie either. In fact, the only people I know who do like this movie (and this includes me) are those who grew up watching it on Sunday afternoons and for whom it triggers a trip down memory lane and possibly some enthusiastic sing-alongs.

For those who didn't grow up on this movie, Saturday's Warrior has little to offer: mediocre acting, low production values, and a somewhat skewed view of LDS doctrine. (I know I'm not the only LDS girl who spent a lot of early childhood thinking, because of this movie, that someday I would meet the man I was supposed to marry and promptly receive divine affirmation that we had known each other in the pre-existence. That, however, is what we call "false doctrine.") The movie does have a few things going for it, however, including a sincere (if cornily delivered) message about the importance of family and of the choices we make, and some surprisingly catchy and/or compelling musical numbers with strong vocal performances.

The bottom line: if you're LDS, it might be worth a viewing, just to see what everyone's talking about—but take it with a grain of salt. If you're not LDS . . . maybe a whole salt lick? But whoever you are, if you do watch it, invite me over so I can sing along.

This is a stage play that was video taped!

It takes a few liberties with Mormon beliefs and pokes fun at Mormon culture in a light-hearted way. Basically it is about a Mormon family and the issue of Mormon pre-existance, large families, and over-population. Some of the songs are nice, but Lex de Azevedo is a well known composer of LDS songs and usually does a good job.

This was fairly big in Utah in 1989-90. Erik Hickenlooper (who plays Jimmy)was a minor celebrity for a while.

If you're not Mormon, you probably won't enjoy it. And even if you are Mormon, you may find the plot a little corny. At BYU or in Utah it may be appreciated. I enjoyed some of the songs, and the parts about the Mormon missionaries.

But if you're looking for a story on Mormon missionaries or a little of the culture, rent "God's Army" or "The Other Side of Heaven" instead.

Mormon films are starting to make inroads, especially Richard Dutcher's stuff. But this one is really just a Mormon Ward play made into a video.

When I first saw it in Utah in 1989, I liked it, because I was part of the culture there, so I gave it a 7/10. But having been removed from Utah culture for a number of years, and looking back, I would give it a 5/10, because some of the song are still nice.