Rating: 
Summary: A Great Movie with Much Thought
Review: This movie was so good, I just had to have it. So I bought it and I love it. The acting is great, the research was wonderful, and the directing was awesome. I love American History, and this movie exceeded all my thoughts of what it would be. The storyline was so powerful and moving. In certain points of the movie, I had to stop and just cry my heart out for all our ancestors went through. I hadn't realized how horrible and cruel the British had been during the Revolutionary War, but once I saw this I did, and it moved me it was that powerful. Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger were awesome in this movie, and all of Benjamin Martin's children did a great job with the acting. I, at thirteen, believe that Heath Ledger was superb in this, considering he's so good looking! He alone is a reason to see this movie! I think this movie should have been nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, though I do believe I would have had a hard time trying to decide who to root for, this or Gladiator! (Another great movie to see!) A definite winner, for sure.
Rating:
Summary: Oh My Gosh!!!!!
Review: I know the title sounds a little funny, but thats exactly what went through my head. It was a great movie and I have to agree with my brother. He said that it showed how inportiant family and friends can be when you know you could die any time soon.
Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: I liked the movie. The music was great as well and added to the emotional effect one feels while watching the film. The movie takes place in South Carolina During the war and concentrated on one man's story who leads a militia to seek revenge and fight the war. All in all, it was a good motion picture.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutly Wonderful!!
Review: My husband and I love this movie. Mel Gibson & Heath Ledger did excellent work in this film. We think it should been up for an Acadamy Award for Best Picture (It's better than Gladiator!). You experience every kind of emotion possible while watching this movie.
Rating:
Summary: How a great movie gets terrible reviews
Review: I'm only 13 years old. I hate American History. However, I saw this movie, and it quickly became my favorite movie. Why? It had a great story, great acting, a great score, great visual effects, and all of my friends saw it with me and loved it too. Even so, critics have attacked the movie because of the liberal media who believe that our country and its history should not be the focus of entertainment. They like to downplay the honor and valor that contributes to the rugged individualism that makes this country what it is today. Ironicly, it's the characters in the movie that allows the media to say what they want because the characters gave the media certain freedoms, such as freedom of speech. (I'm aware that freedom of speech came with the first amendmant and the characters didn't specifically give them that right. However, they did give them freedom). To get right to the point, if you have thoughts about seeing this movie, do yourself a favor and go see it. It's really worth the money and, if a 13-year-old like me who has no interest in American History likes it, you will get the satasfaction that you paid for. I guarantee that, after you watch it, you will think "Hey, why didn't this film get nominated for Best Picture at the Academy Awards?"
Rating: 
Summary: Not a documentary
Review: This movie just recently was voted the best historical film of 2000 by viwers of the History Channel. To which all I can say is perhaps those who enjoy and know their history can just sit back and enjoy this movie. Many have been critical of the fact that the film is too focused on Mel Gibson's character and his desire for revenge.The barbs go on to say that the movie isn't about the American Revolution, just about him. Well good grief this is a story about Benjamin Martin, his family and their struggle to fight and survive a war. Why do so many feel that this one particular movie needs to provide a comprehensive overview of seven year war? Do audiences expect Gladiator to teach them about the state of the Roman Empire in the late 2nd century AD? As far as the political messages in the movie I say - good for Gibson and the other individuals connected to this movie. They took what is a unpopular stand in Hollywood, but I dare say resonates with a large magority of Americans. The fact that so many liberal democrats as well as Al Gore and Hillary Clinton expressed distaste about The Patriot should say much about it. This is an old - fashioned style epic with all the strengths and weaknesses associated with the genere. It's popular enertainment and I for one enjoyed it. It's sweeping, emotional, amusing and sad. I felt like it moved along briskly and never lagged. I did not expect a history lesson nor did I want one. It's a movie. Everyone needs to lighten up and I for one enjoyed seeing the Brits portrayed as the bad guys for once, instead of Americans.
Rating: 
Summary: "Happy slaves"? But it was entertaining....
Review: Yes, the movie kind of glanced over the whole slavery issue (the old "kindly slave master who treats his slaves as equals" routine) but I did enjoy the battle scenes and the overall look of the film (the sets and scenery). It is well worth a look.
Rating:
Summary: Godzilla vs. Braveheart, film at 11
Review: The Patriot (Roland Emmerich, 2000) I'm not sure why I'm mildly surpised this movie wasn't nearly as good as Braveheart. Afterall, Roland Emmerich was the brain behind such wondrous projects as Godzilla (1998) and Universal Soldier. Hoo boy. That said, it's quite amazing that the thing manages to come off as well as it does. The main reason it does is Jason Isaacs, who plays William Tavington, the sleazy British colonel who serves as Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson)'s nemesis. (Did Isaacs look familiar to you? He delivered the immortal "C minus" line in Armageddon-- one of the few lines in that movie that made it worth watching.) While this film is most certainly a Mel Gibson vehicle, he seems somewhat pale here, almsot as if he were bored with the thing for a good deal of the shooting. The minor characters, however, make up for that in many cases. Along with Isaacs, excellent performances are turned in by Heath Ledger, Gregory Smith, and the always-underrated Jay Arlen Jones (hey, I had to find a way to get a Night of the Creeps reference in here somewhere!). Still, it ain't Braveheart. For that matter, it ain't Lethal Weapon 2. It might not even be Gallipoli. In other words, if you need a Gibson fix, there are many ways to get it that don't involve various cast and crew members from awful remakes of movies featuring a guy in a green rubber suit. ** 1/2
Rating:
Summary: Good, but.....
Review: not very realistic and full of cliches. but of course, if i put all the good moments together, i would come out with probably the best revolutionary war film of the decade. It seems that since the release of saving private ryan, war films seem to have taken after the movie. The muted scenes and horrific battles raging on and on. Cliches dominate this movie. This movie entertains, but does not deserve any treatment as one of the best films ever made
Rating:
Summary: Mel Gibson brings on the action!
Review: Mel Gibson has always been a very powerful actor when he plays a father or a hero. In these types of movies, his characters always have just cause for revenge and extensive displays of either muted or expressed emotion. "Braveheart" allowed him to indulge in his leadership qualities, while playing a very emotional role. "Ransom" allows him to play the part of a caring and loving husband and father, which he does extremely well. "The Patriot," his latest movie, is yet another chance for him to show these character traits in fine form, matching his performance in "Braveheart." Gibson gives us an emotionally charged performance as the main character, proving his worth in Hollywood. And the movie itself isn't that bad, either. I have found that many historians and buffs have criticized the movie for its lack of authenticity, but if you don't have a clear knowledge of the events of the time period, or you can set aside your need for the true facts, then the movie works on the basis of its emotional and surprising plot. It's one of those feel-good movies where you know what is going to happen, and then the ending is completely different. It can be a bit trying at times, due to its length, and will test the patience of many viewers, but the material is solid and ends up pleasing us. Taking place during the Revolutionary War, the story begins in a day in the life of Benjamin Martin, who lives peacefully in his South Carolina home with his five sons and two daughters. As the battle between the statesman and the British becomes heated, Martin's son, Gabriel, takes up arms, despite his father's opposition to the war. Gibson, along with Heath Ledger, have a unique father/son chemistry onscreen that is believable and emotional, hitting home for those interested in this aspect of the plot. Their bond strengthens once Gabriel returns, soon followed by a brigade of British soldiers. Their home is burned, Gabriel is taken away, but not before his brother is killed in trying to save him. The movie takes on a bit of the "Braveheart" incentive for Gibson's character here, as Martin's son's death sparks him into action, leading him to victory over the soldiers holding Gabriel hostage. He and Gabriel soon begin forming a group of rebels in a Militia against the British soldiers, as the cunning and ruthless Colonel William Tavington closes in on "The Ghost" responsible for the dent in the King's Army. Martin and his men ride to many victories, keeping their honor and their dignity, but soon, Martin realizes that he will have to face the armies of the British head on in order to protect his family, now under the care of their Aunt Charlotte. The movie has the overall look and feel of a big, booming epic, and while it's not up to scale such as past films like "Braveheart" and "Titanic," it still is good, rousing entertainment for mass audiences. It has many elements which will appeal to many different demographics, one of which is two separate romances that build within the movie's plot. One involves Gabriel, who falls in love with and marries a girl from a small town. Their relationship also provides some comical relief, mostly in the parents, who react just like today's parents would if their daughter were in love (though I don't think too many people sew their daughter's boyfriends into straight-jackets). The other romance involves Benjamin and Charlotte, his deceased wife's sister. The relationship between these two characters may be taken as controversial to some; I mean, come on, what are the kids supposed to think? She's their aunt, but the movie never dives too heavily into this relationship, so we're never given enough time to really think about it. Another contributor to the movie's epic feel is the grand photography and cinematography, headed by photographer Caleb Deschanel, who brings lots of beauty and slow motion to the movie to bring us into the action as well as surrounding us with the unseen beauty of nature. By unseen, I mean that those involved in the battle never lament over nature's beauty, and it seems to close in on them at times, surrounding them with noises of crickets in the night, or green leaves of brush and trees. Lighting plays a key factor in certain scenes, most notably during the raid on Charlotte's house, adding a sense of heightened suspense to the moment. Slow motion strengthens the display of the horrors of war, which are vastly displayed in graphic shots, giving us all the brutality of the Revolutionary War. The story, while relying on some formulaic elements, also keeps the movie's epic appearance up, following the trials and tribulations of a man whose life is in danger every minute of the movie's most intense moments. Martin's story, while being fictional, is quite moving, powerful and emotional. Benjamin has his values, which makes him an admirable character, and his children are embodied with those values, which makes the bond between father and family very strengthened and moving. The historical aspect of the movie is going to be a factor of controversy among everyone who sees this movie that knows what really went on during the Revolutionary War. People will say that the historical aspect is authentic and makes sense to the movie, while others will say it is a cheap attempt to bring the war to life with a fictional story for its premise. I, myself, do not know off the top my head anything about the Revolutionary War, and that is why I enjoyed this movie as I did because I don't have to worry about criticizing it for its accuracy or inaccuracy. For me, everything else in this movie works, so I was able to find it satisfying. Just as Gibson gives his powerhouse performance, the rest of the cast also gives us stellar performances that add heart and feel to the movie. Heath Ledger, who starred in "10 Things I Hate About You," takes on a very adult role in this movie, and does so with ease. He never flinches, and his performance never falls short. Jason Isaacs plays Colonel William Tavington, who is pompous, arrogant and ruthless in his war tactics. He brings all of this and more to the role. Joely Richardson is Charlotte, strong and gentle, who cares for Benjamin's children and with whom she shares a strong chemistry, even if briefly. Other actors include Chris Cooper, Tcheky Karyo, Rene Auberjonois and Tom Wilkinson. While not the best epic ever made, "The Patriot" is by no means a failure, and its integrity, emotion, strength and intelligence all make it worthwhile in watching. The overall effect one feels after watching this movie is one of satisfaction, and that is more than most movies can account for. It dazzles the senses while keeping us intrigued by the story of one man's struggle to free his family from oppression.
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