Warrior Pride [2018]
Film Review
by JannyC
Life imitates game time when it comes to the basketball court and as the head coach of the Michigan Warriors AAU basketball team, Dylan Baxter, finds himself at perpetual cross-roads as he strives to take his team to the national championship.
—Janaya Black
After a long hectic house move and a leg trapped in a brace, I finally found time to snuggle down with a movie. Warrior Pride had been on my to-watch list, so I settled in. While I know nothing about sports, I cannot say I have not watched a sports drama once or twice and found myself engrossed in it. This is what happened with Warrior Pride.
Warrior Pride, while pretty much containing your sports drama formula – you know, the underdog rising above to defeat an evil rival – the film totally takes you by surprise with a beautiful, inspirational story weaved within. Written and directed by Janaya Black, Warrior Pride puts a powerful dose of love, God, and humanity into a basketball film that makes it more than just a “basketball” film. So real and so raw, Black works it as a slice of life of our main character, Dylan Baxter, played by Rockey Black, which we get a sneak peek into.
The cast delivers powerful performances that will make even the Devil choke up and shed a tear. Our breakout star in this is Darren Washington playing Tywan. His phenomenal performance and presence (he is 6’8, folks) brought on the case of the “feels” for me, and I don’t get teary often. Washington and Black possess a chemistry that is sweet, real and touching.
Kate Fullerton also gives a heartfelt performance as Lora. Dez Cortez Crenshaw as David and Deshawndre Black as Mike, put forth some great acting displays as father and son, with the former giving a perfect portrayal of a father living vicariously through his son, desperately trying to hang on to his glory days. You can’t help but love to hate him.
Warrior Pride also features some famous cameos with rapper Young Buck playing himself, as well as college coaches Carl Thomas, Mike Garland, Bacari Alexander, Greg Kampe and Mike Faletti, all appearing as themselves.
Inspired by true events Warrior Pride delivers high production value, yet still has that indie film feel we all love. At the end credits, they do have an “In Loving Memory” tribute for two coaches who I assume are the inspiration for the story. Even though I am not familiar enough with basketball, let alone high school or college basketball, the sentiment was not lost on me.
Overall Warrior Pride brings a breath of fresh air into this genre, leaving the viewer filled with warmth and hope that almost any obstacle can be conquered.
My score: 7/10.
