L'âme des guerriers 2 - les âmes brisées

I remember seeing this film when it aired on TV in New Zealand. I was staying in a backpackers lodge and to my horror Jake the Muss drove his car down my street! I had to pinch myself, before I realised that I was in fact staying in one of the locations used in the film. For a moment I thought it was a security camera I was viewing outside! From what I remember the film doesn't carry the impact of Once Were Warriors, which people still mention here in London when I tell them I'm from New Zealand. None of them however have even heard of this sequel, which I think says it all. It wasn't a bad film, but definitely requires seeing the original for it to have any meaning.

(Some people have been confused by the film's title. It is in fact a lyric from a song which was very popular in New Zealand when I was a kid in the 80's. As the film picks up from the characters shattered lives in the first feature, it is quite appropriate. So just what become of the broken hearted? Watch the film and find out).

I've seen "Once Were Warriors" and must say I found myself quite taken by it. So it was a day of much rejoicence, when I found out, that a sequel had been made. I bought it, and have just seen it. And.

There's a certain nostalgic feel, to seeing Jake the Muss and co. again. As they are very interesting characters, I was naturally interested in seeing how they were doing. And I was happy for Jake, when I found out that maybe he was finally realizing his responsobility. It's good to see someone mending.

But what's with the title, ehh?? Can you tell me that?!? A title like "What becomes of the Broken Hearted?" makes me all soft inside of that dark, sinister evilminded spirit of mine (Took that last bit a little to far, didn't I?). But there's absolutely no answer to that question, as the film shifts from drama to action-movie featuring Jake the Muss, Snake-gangs and some bold guy with a lot of freakin' tattoos! It's not really fun to watch. It doesn't say much about anything or anyone, and it offers no answer to that question it raises. It just ends for no reason what so ever.

There's some dad-son stuff. Some repending. A little bit of anger, hate, love-stuff, but we've seen that stuff before, haven't we folks?

I'll give this one 7, becuase I'm just a sentimental, softhearted (rich, goodlooking (You never know what kinda chicks might read this stuff) kinda guy. If you haven't seen "Once Were Warriors" you're going to hate this one for sure.

One thing that was inevitable about this film -- it was never going to be able to have anywhere near the impact of what it is the sequel for -- Once Were Warriors.

This isn't bad, but at the same time it's not great. Morrison resurrects Jake Heke, who is now fighting to save his son from a gang lifestyle after another of his sons is killed in a gangland shootout.

An excellent performance in a supporting role from Rawiri Paratene is probably the highlight of this tale, but I must admit that, by the end, I was beginning to recall again just how much writer Alan Duff gets on my nerves.

I was impressed when I first saw this film. Once Were Warriors gave us here in Aotearoa (New Zealand) a new perspective into some of our peoples lifestyles. However it was a bitter pill, the violence overwhelming at times.

In this the second film, the main character Jake 'the muscles' Heke confronts his own demons and fights to reclaim his whanau (family). This film was a welcome addition for me, while it tied up all the lose ends a little too tidily I was grateful to see Jake's transition.

This contained very little of the originals dynamic appeal and will certainly not hold the appeal of the first to the people who actually enjoyed the violence in Once Were Warriors. For those of us who cared about the characters and hoped for their salvation this film is a must see.

Anyone expecting this film to be Once Were Warriors 2: The Continuing Misadventures of Jake the Muss will be disappointed. It stands as a great drama in its own right, and as a follow up to Once Were Warriors.

I think the reason it has come under heavy critical fire is because people were expecting it to be more of a sequel than a follow up, and were also expecting a similar emotional experience to Warriors, which is entirely different in this movie.

While Warriors wrenched your emotions back and forth, Broken Hearted barely has a scene without tension and sadness. There is no room to breath in this film, not even at the final reel, when we are suddenly confronted with the credits. A great film, and a great experience.