Rating: 
Summary: Achtung Achtung Another stunning film by Twyker
Review: This film in a gorgeously crafted film that teams Benno and Franke again(they starred together in the German thriller Anatomie). Der Krieger und die Kaiserin also hide a deeper meaning to this film that almost all Americans will miss. The backstory of the Austrian Kaiserin Sissi gives a profundity to the story that is both beautiful and disturbing.For those who enjoyed Run Lola Run, The Princess and the Warrior provides stunning performances from some of the same actors. After Lola Rent this film is a strong departure and truly another jem to German Cinema. I would strongly suggest it to anyone who can apreciate excellent cinema and prefers not to have their stories spoonfed. A haunting question is open for debate on this film, Who was Sissi's father? Some say Walter others say it was the character portrayed by Lars Rudolf. What do you think?
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Summary: Potente's Portentous Adventures
Review: Remember the scene in "True Romance", where James Gandolfini beats the (...) out of Patricia Arquette? She keeps coming back for more, and he keeps beating her down. When she finally manages to strike the fatal blow, you can hardly call it a victory, for she is a bloody, but unbowed, mess. Well, in "The Princess and the Warrior" dear Franka Potente gets pushed around and pummeled almost as much as Patricia did, only here it's spread out over the course of the whole movie. There's the fateful truck accident, true, but she is also constantly being pushed down, punched, choked, and generally beaten. The amazing thing, though, is that she also remains unbowed. Her force of will is so strong, or maybe her pigheadedness is so unyielding, that no matter what obstacle is put in her way, her search will not be stopped. Potente, more than any contemporary actress, is prodigious at playing these kinds of women. Or at least she is in her collaborations with writer/director Tom Tykwer. "Run Lola Run", their previous art-house hit, had her dashing around Berlin in a furious attempt to gather some quick cash. An enjoyable film, "Lola" was a fine meditation on fate, disguised as (as someone once said) "an exploded video game". "The Princess and the Warrior" is languid and contemplative where "Lola" was kinetic and visceral. Don't expect "Lola 2", or you'll be terribly disappointed. Still, it's a wonderful little film, full of casually elegant visuals, subdued camera trickery, and a perfectly integrated soundtrack. Tykwer has assembled another fine meditation on fate, but he also manages to examine the circuitous nature of our personal histories. How do the events of the past, or our actions within those events, affect our futures? They continually come back to haunt us. The most telling example is Sissi's (Potente) accident. She is saved by a mysterious stranger, Bodo (Benno Furmann). It's a powerful moment, gruesome in its details, full of gripping suspense and tangible human connections. Tykwer spares the audience nothing as Bodo must think on his feet in order to clear Sissi's windpipe. For her part, Sissi gazes with awe at Bodo (she is the princess, he is the warrior), fully aware that he is the only who can save her life. But she can't seem to hold on to him later as she is rushed through the hospital. The rest of the movie revolves around her attempts to reconnect with him, and of his pushing her away (figuratively and literally, violently at times). It also focuses on her trying to reconnect to her old, mundane life, working as a nurse in a psychiatric ward. The "Cuckoo's Nest" gallery of misfits she must work with provide the film with some of its funniest and most horrific moments, sometimes in the same scene. Sissi goes about her business with cold precision, tormented by the memory of the man who saved her life. The hospital also provides another backdrop against which the film's themes can be examined, for who are these patients really? How do they fit into the story, and into Sissi's life? Watch closely, for fate rears its ugly head again. Potente delivers another fine performance. She manages to have a blank but wonderfully expressive face (how does she do it?), showing both Sissi's repression and her passion at the same time. I get more enjoyment, however, watching her body movements. She is like an innocent little pixie, skipping along innocently when she runs (a far cry from her tank-like sprinting in "Lola"). And she is able to portray so many emotions just with her body posture. I am amazed by this woman's skills. Furmann, for his part, gets to play both strength and torment in equal measures, and is up to the task. He is less adept at showing the inherent humour in Bodo (at least in comparison with "Lola's" Moritz Bleibtreu, whose Manni was often amused by Lola, even during the tensest of moments), which is probably one of the reasons why "Princess" was a little too bleak at times. Breaking up those dark moments with a light joke could have pushed this film over the top. As it stands, it's an engrossing picture, at times overlong, but still very much worth seeing.
Rating:
Summary: The best Tykwer's picture!!
Review: And not even Tykwer's. I think it one of the best films ever made. It is so fascinating and beautiful. It's really interesting. Franka Potente is great actress. "P&W" is about life, destiny, love, madness... It's really worth watching.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible directing, incredible story, great musical score
Review: Well, I've heard a lot of people say that Tom Tykwer didn't make it quite as exciting and exhilerating as Run Lola Run. What they don't realize is that Run Lola Run was the different one. They haven't seen Winter Sleepers or Deadly Maria, Tykwer's other films. Princess and the Warrior had incredible directing, an incredible storyline, and a great musical score. The actors did a great job. See this movie. Though it may be hard to follow for the less intelegent ones
Rating:
Summary: teutonic trilogy
Review: Amazing how a movie with subtitles, plays like a movie done in my native tongue. Filmography, story line and musical track simply lull the brain into total delight. A wish came true this summer in the release of the movie The Princess and the Warrior. After the 1999 summer release of the movie Run Lola Run, work by director Tom Tykwer, responsible for both films, was just about the only thing that could get me back into the theater. Love is what drives this movie. Director Tykwer loves, in terms of professional collaboration, actress Franka Potente. The camera loves capturing the beauty of Potente's and her ability to act. Strong acting throughout and visually fresh, enjoying every minute of the film is easy. For a mood setting soundtrack to your own evening, pop in the available CD, and relax.
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Summary: One of the most interesting films of 2001.
Review: The first thing that catches you is the opening music, which is very simple yet melancholy enough in setting the mood appropriatly for the rest of the movie. Sissi immediatley comes across as a women who feels utterly trapped in life, without any hope of escape - just by her actions and the way she interacts with the patients. Finally due to fate, she meets the Warrior, Bodo, who though indirectly causes the accident, also ends up saving her from death. Bodo who happens to have a habit of robbing gas stations, possibly because his wife was killed at one, seems a reckless yet pationate man with dark issues underneath his strong exterior. His brother Walter, oddly has his name thrown in at the Gas station where his wife died, but maybe just another coincidence, was apparently in the Bundeswehr with him and is his mentor and guardian. Questions linger throughout the movie as to why Bodo has a problem crying which later get answered. Some other interesting things which one might have wondered were who was Sissi's father, what was the significance of the toaster being thrown into the water in relation to her mothers death, and was Steinni really insane or just a murderer who was hiding, very much like Bodo. The movie is definetly a film that needs to be watched more than once to catch some of the minor details. The characters are all very well played and the character of Bodo has the most striking eyes of anyone I've ever seen on film. I've never seen Run Lola Run, but this was a great movie to be introduced to the talent of Tom Tykwer. One last question. Why did they switch the Princess and the Warrior around from it's original German title? Is this American feminism in action?
Rating:
Summary: Lola Slows Down...
Review: ...but that does not stop this film from being very well done. America we have got to embrace Tom Tykwer! This man makes tantalizing motion pictures. The Princess and the Warrior is not like Run Lola Run so for viewers caught up in the hype of that film you may be disappointed, but you should not be. This film lives up to it's hype and is another beautiful puzzle from the world of Tykwer. Franka Potente plays a nurse working in a mental hospital when fate, and a horrific accident, brings Bodo into her life. He is a troubled man, who's anguish over his past has left him on the edge of insanity. Actually there is really no reason to say more. So many things in this film come full circle it is better to not dicuss them, but there are chases, guns, a bank robbery, love, and death. The simple twists give the movie depth and keep it engaging from start to finish. That and it is a visual masterpiece. There are shots in this movie I have never seen before. Additionally the transitions are innovative and, of course, the music is awesome. Potente and Benno Furmann are exceptional in the lead roles both giving layer upon layer to their complex characters. This movie was so well writen and directed by Tykwer. He just seems to make the impossible possible. If you liked Run Lola Run you should see this film and if you didn't see Lola you should. Then see this and also Winter Sleepers, another Tykwer film. All of them are unique pictures. Upon watching them people will understand why this guy is one of the most talented new filmmakers in the world.
Rating: 
Summary: VERY Creative, But Wanted It To Be Better
Review: Okay, first of all let me tell you that I saw "Lola" eight times, so I was VERY pumped to like this film a LOT. And I did like it -- it has many, many creative touches. Further, I doubt that I will EVER pass up a chance to see a movie with Franka Potente in it! (or a movie that was directed by Tom Tykwer). Many of the characters in this movie -- even the bit part "loonies" -- were truly exceptional, with several brilliant and touching scenes. I think my main complaint is that it was way too long. Two hours and 9 minutes, when an hour and 45 would probably have been about right. But, all of that said, SEE THIS MOVIE!! It's not Lola, but it's got a lot of things that Lola didn't have, too. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: amazing
Review: Tom Tykwer is my new hero. I know that some people are down on Princess because it's very different from Lola, but to me it's a real joy to go to the theater and see something so genuinely different from Tykwer's last film. He's a director who's willing to take risks and that's part of what makes his films so exciting to watch. This movie is amazing in a different way than Lola but some of the same elements are here: a fate-driven storyline, some breathtaking cinematography, spot on acting by Potente (her role here is so different from Lola, but still powerful--as if sleeping beauty could get up and walk around) and a soundtrack that's just RIGHT for the film in so many ways. The leisurely pace enhanced the movie, not only because it gave me time to appreciate some of the beautiful shots, but also because it made me feel the fate that was working in the film. Though Princess is longer than Lola, I was never bored. It kept my interest from start to finish. For me, that puts it head and shoulders above a lot of other things I've seen lately.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it
Review: I know that some were disappointed by the film, but I thought it was the best film I've seen in a long time. The city that the much of the story takes place in gives the film a great vibe, the actors all did such an amazing job, and the hospital Sissy works at really makes the story a touching piece. The only part that I didn't like came near the end, with a metaphorical "two-Bodos" thing. It seemed strange, and it didn't match the rest of the film. When you're watching the film, there will be times where you aren't really sure what Twyker is doing, why the characters are important, or you may just see how improbable a lot of stuff is. But just go with it!! The movie does require a bit of suspended disbelief.
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