The Sensei (2008)

Excellent but underrated film

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

Once in your life you come across a movie that you feel that was made just for you and no one else! That movie reaches out and grabs your soul and shakes it to its core. The Sensei is that movie for me. I have never experienced a movie that touches more chords in my life at one time than this movie. I too am an HIV+, openly gay, martial artist who struggles to attain his black belt and more importantly to find his way in not only the martial arts community but through life to find the happiness and peace the martial arts is supposed to help the practitioner attain. Even writing this review I become choked up thinking about the all that both characters have gone through with their families, communities, and themselves. I may be a bit prejudiced in favor of this movie but I believe that EVERY martial arts instructor should show this movie to their students. The martial arts action is also quite real in its movement and outcome as the main fight scene indicates. But it is not the physical battles that make this movie worth watching; it is the use of the martial arts to help the characters deal with and overcome their mental and spiritual struggles. One of the best movies ever written.

this martial arts film is also a film about about prejudice,hypocrisy,intolerance and violence.those are some weighty issues.and the film doesn't shy away from them.in fact,it wades right into them head-on.there is one scenes that depicts someone being savagely beaten.the worst of it isn't shown,but is is implied and you do hear it off camera.this is no fluff piece bu any stretch of the imagination.it's well done and doesn't sugar coat anything.but you get to see some touching moments as well.it would be wrong to compare this to The Karate Kid.they do both have similarities but this one has a much stronger message whereas in my opinion The karate Kid was more focused on the entertainment aspect.when you go into his film,expect to be jarred.for me,The Sensei is an 8/10

I had expectations for this film, as I went to see it with members of my dojo, including my Sensei. It explored and broke boundaries in film and in the martial arts. Dealing with AIDS not in a metropolitan area but in a small town, racial barriers, genders in the martial arts (an issue that is still very prevalent), and sexuality are all here. Though the film takes place in the 80's, it has a timeliness to what is happening in the US today. Problems aren't completely solved here. But The Sensei gives us an idea of where we can start to go without turning into a Lifetime movie. And it does look great. Made by people who give a damn about what they're doing, instead of worrying about the paycheck.

I highly recommend The Sensei. I was afraid at first that it would be a cheesy Karate Kid with a gay kid as the lead, but it was so much more than that. The movie dealt with many levels of prejudice, including sexual orientation, race, gender, religion, and HIV. It was touching while sending a powerful message. The depiction of the victimization endured by the lead character was realistic and horrific. Some parts of the film weren't quite as polished and smooth as a major production movie, but it is an independent film. For anyone who has dealt with any sort of prejudice or hatred, this is a movie that will make you feel strong and hopeful. For anyone who doesn't understand what GLBT youth have endured, be it 20 years ago or today, this is a movie that will open your eyes.