Braveheart

Rating:
Summary: THE BEST EVER!!!!!!!
Review: For me, this is the best movie ever made. It has everything an excellent story, great acting, the best customs. And do not forget Horners' great soundtrack. The story about William Wallace and his battle for freedom will be in your thoughts forever. You can keep watching this movie again and again. But watch out, after the three hours you will be very depressed, and I'am not even Scottish. If you haven't seen this movie yet, don't waste your time anymore, buy it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Avoid the Agendas
Review: This was a great movie for reasons in previous reviews, but seems to get slammed from a select few who have agendas:

1. The British who claim it is 90% fiction 2. People who think Mel Gibson is homophobic 3. People who hate violence

It a Hollywood film - relax!

Rating:
Summary: Awsome
Review: This is one movie you shouldn't do without! There are currently 487 reviews(including this one) and it's rating is 4 1/2 stars! That says all you need to know, EVERYONE LIKES THIS MOVIE! Except, maybe the Brittish...

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Incredible
Review: Braveheart is simply the best movie ever made. Mel Gibson directed the movie of a lifetime. The beautiful love story and Wallace's fight out of revenge transform this epic into an eternal classic.

Gibson tried to mirror the success of Braveheart with last summer's release of The Patriot. And don't get me wrong, I loved that movie as well. However, there was one critical error in the production of that movie: the abscence of a score by James Horner. Horner's score from Braveheart creates feelings of despair, rage, and suprise that go beyond the story. The call for "freedom" at the end of the movie is incredibly intensified by the background music and there hasn't been a single time that I didn't get chills while watching that scene.

If you haven't seen this movie yet, do not waste one more second. Go to your closest video store and rent the DVD. Watch it on a big screen tv and grab some popcorn, a Coke, and a box of Kleenex. I wish I could go back and watch this movie for a first time. Have Fun!!

Rating:
Summary: One of my top 5 favorites
Review: My women friends have often been surprised and a few even shocked that I like this movie so much. Most disliked it because it was so violent. But the violence was historical and like it or not, in an era where way to many Americans think that freedom has been peaceful and easy it is nice in my opinion to see a movie that shows that Scotland like the United States, had to fight, spill blood and even die, to be free. It is a movie about William Wallace, a 13th-century Scottish commoner who sets out to unite the various clans against a cruel English King, Edward the Longshanks.

My Dads family is Scotish so I understand the clan element. Oddly I also appreciated the dankness of the Scotish highlands and the depiction of just how harsh the environment must have been. It is easy to sit in our clean clothes with well fed bodies and few worries and think that all is right with the world and always has been. It is equally "nice" I think for people to be exposed to a film that shows the complete opposite and that winning or freedom isn't something one gets in an hour, day, month or even a year.

That in fact it may well take years and even a generation for a goal to be met. And in an era when denial is common and where those who have never risked anything in quest of freedom real or threatened, I think it is wise that movies like this remind fools that freedom is hard work. And not for the weak.

Rating:
Summary: CRY HAVOC!
Review: Extremely popular and entertaining Oscar-winner features some of the best battle sequences ever put on film, and lively battles and swordplay are the main attractions of this handsomely mounted production. In perhaps his most famous role, Dennis Quaid plays a rogue knight who, with the help of a very noble dragon, (Sean Connery, seen-but-never-heard as the voice of the winged reptillian), fights to overthrow a wicked king, (David Thewlis, who bears an uncanny resemblance to The Monkees' Peter Tork). An absolute must for action fans, Braveheart is both a history lesson and a carnypark thrill-ride that will captivate all.

Rating:
Summary: Sons of Scotland! I am Devin Andolsen! and This is My Review
Review: Although described by critics as a historically inaccurate and profusely gory film, the writers of Braveheart have created a script that appeals to many sensibilities. Braveheart is a well rounded-film. The film caters to a wide variety of spectators through its depiction of love, patriotism, battle scenes and comedy. The film has the theme of love for all the people who are into the sappy stuff. William Wallace, the hero of the film, wants to find a wife and settle down in the lands of Scotland. He develops a love for a local woman. While attending the funeral of his father and brother, Wallace is given a flower by a darling little girl. Wallace goes away for an extended time where he grows to be a muscular, devilishly cunning, battle ready and incredibly handsome man. When he returns to his village after living with his uncle, he searches for the flower girl. He finds her at a local dance and begins to court her. He eventually shows her the flower and they fall in love. It wasn't quite that simple, but you get the point. The two decide to get married after a rather cheesy but romantic proposal made by Wallace. They have a great but short time together because this love story falls short when a local lord finds out about the marriage and spoils the fun for the love birds. Wallace's wife is slain leaving him with a broken heart. If the first love scene wasn't enough, we get to see him successfully court another woman who goes by the name of Princess....yes, Princess, Isabella. Throughout the movie Andolsen-2 Isabella hears of Wallace and grows fond of his success stories. She romanticizes his character and develops the urge to help Wallace in his campaign to free Scotland of the English. When the two meet up sparks fly. She reminds Wallace of his lost wife and she, having the hormones of a teenage boy laced with a rather overly romanticized ideal of Wallace, finds him unbearably attractive. In the defense of the Princess, Wallace did deliver to his reputation when they met. I mean, he knew three languages! and he was muscular and sweaty. What else could a Princess ask for? She sticks by his side all the way up unto his death. Now isn't that sweet? So I maintain that if a person can get passed the blood and guts, this is a great love story film. But it isn't just love that makes it great. The movie revolves around patriotism. Wallace is determined to rid Scotland of the ruthless English and their Kind Longshanks for the freedom of the Scotts. Wallace gives us a character to love. He devotes himself fully to his country. As Americans, who can ask for a better character? He throws out great lines and delivers devastatingly perfect speaches to rally the "Sons of Scotland" into battle. He leads attacks, defies kings, loves Princesses, waves around a huge sword a lot, and for what? His country! Well, it wasn't like that at first. He didn't really seem to care much about the country until his wife died. But after that he went full bore for Scotland, hey, everybody needs a start right? Aside from Wallace's minor set back, you really find out what devotion to ones country is like after viewing this film. Another aspect of the movie that made it as great as it is were the battle scenes. No matter how many times you see them, they never stop being the most awesome to Andolsen-3 have ever been captured on film. These scenes leave a lasting effect on anybody who watches them. I am not pro blood sports or anything, but this movie takes the cake when it comes to movies with battle scenes in it... well, ok, Saving Private Ryan had some good stuff too. There are two main battles, and one partial, that are shown throughout the movie, so its not overwhelming for the squeamish and other viewers. But their effect is defiantly felt for all those viewers who crave realistic battle scenes. All in all, you can't find much better than this. The movie is traumatic. Wallace loses his wife to savages which breaks his heart, and there are battles in which Wallace breaks other peoples hearts... literally. This can leave a viewer feeling a little grim. That's where the crazed Irishman comes into play. Not to say other characters didn't have their moments, but if you like to laugh, this guy can make you do it. He was funny and his timing was always perfect. Before the first battle he eases up the tension with some comic dialogue with Wallace. After he saves Wallace's life from an attempted assassination, he laughs it off and says how he didn't like the guy he killed anyway. This guy is sure to be a classic comic relief. To sum up, this film has it all. It is a movie that can be watched, and liked, by a variety of viewers. Braveheart does not cater to a single type of viewer but cumulates several different aspects to create a great movie. No matter what type of movie-goer you are, you will find something in this movie that you like. And if you don't, something is wrong with you. And on a closing note, don't listen to people who say the movie is or isn't historically accurate because its both! The only way to find out the truth is to do the research yourself.

Rating:
Summary: The best of medieval heroism.
Review: As I write this, Gladiator is still enjoying its shower of praise. I recall with notable fondness a similar film to snag the Oscar for Best Picture, Braveheart. This is the true masterpiece of the genre (which might be medieval action/adventure or something). What makes Braveheart special? In many movies like this (for instance, Gladiator), the protagonist is only a hero because he suffers. In Braveheart, William Wallace is a hero because he fights against suffering. It is that simple fundament that sets Braveheart up to be a great film.

Of course, there is more that makes Braveheart great. Mel Gibson's performance as Wallace is riveting, emotionally charged, and...real. He portrays his character with incredible conviction that makes the movie so much more powerful. His requisite hero speeches are inspiring yet plausible, and positively electric with passion. Sorry, Russell Crowe, but Gibson is the true medieval hero of contemporary cinema. Gibson also proves to be a fine director, with a keen eye for detail and a shrewd understanding of the emotional element of the story.

The battle scenes are fittingly gory, and do an excellent job portraying the chaos and brutality of the epoch's battlefield. But the emphasis here is not on the battles between the Scots and the English; this is an enduring story of love, ideals, and heroism. I've never cried watching a movie, but the heart-wrenching (and concurrently uplifting) finale brought me very close. Indeed, this movie sweeps you along for its epic story, and practically makes you another Scottish warrior. Along with the actors, you feel the soaring elation of victory and the profound anguish of defeat. Amazing.

One of my favorite movies of all time. I've used the designation idly before, but here it's certainly true.

Rating:
Summary: Mel Gibson grew up.
Review: Mel Gibson's excellent,powerful performance;yet only a small ingredient of a richly detailed modern epic.Takes you in right from the start,the character of Wallace,so convincing,you'll feel every emotion,loss,anger,and sense of true freedom,few films could ever achieve with such awe.An excellent transfer for this dvd adds up to a film that must surely be part of any collection.

Rating:
Summary: Worth the Oscars®, but don't learn your history from it
Review: How much you like this film will depend largely semantics. This historical drama is not very historical but it's an excellent drama. So choose your word and get your review.

If you like history, you're going to have problems with this movie. To be sure, pains were taken to evoke an accurate "feel" of the times. The way in which battles happened is generally more accurate and horrific than has been depicted in movies previously. But on occasion, license is taken with the strategy and conduct of particular historical battles. Indeed at times it's tempting to say this film was merely based on some rumors heard about William Wallace. Certainly, the most egregious sin is how Robert the Bruce is treated. Far from being accurately portrayed as the true savior of modern Scotland--and indeed the one individual most responsible for Scotland having never been conquered--he's seen as treacherous. It fails to account how Robert the Bruce eventually triumphed over William Wallace's chief rival: Edward Longshanks, and indeed his successor. Sadly, the movie never takes the time to explain William and Robert's twin importance; it just leaves us with the martyr and the snake. And it's not like Gibson didn't have time in the film to give more attention to the Bruce/Wallace relationship. This is a long film. No, he actively chose to make a movie which was so centered on Wallace that it went over the line of truth.

If, however, you're focusing more on the word "drama" than "historical", you'll have little to take exception to, here. It's a great bit of filmmaking on that score, fully deserving of its many accolades. Battle scenes have rarely been directed on Gibson's par, and the acting is consistently competent throughout. However this film might warp your history, it's a deftly powerful work that will stay in your mind long after you watch it.

[DVD NOTES: A fine director's commentary and making-of featurette bring this puppy up a star, for me. On its own, I'd tend to take off one star for its historical problems, but the Oscar-winner's commentary tips the scales in this edition's favor.]