Rating: 
Summary: even Mel was bored
Review: I am not normally good at identifying bad acting, and I'm a big Mel Gibson fan, but this movie was horrible. The acting was so bad I actually knew what people were talking about when they said the acting was terrible. Mel is normally a good actor, so he must not have been taking this seriously and who could blame him with such a bad script. Save your money, or get something like Braveheart or Last of the Mohicans (Not Mel, but a good film) instead.
Rating: 
Summary: Braveheart 1776
Review: Once again Mel Gibson plays a wronged hero in another good verses evil story. This time it's the turn of the American Revolution.Gibson plays a widower and former Indian French War soldier who hides a horrible secret and wishes to live a quiet life with his large family becuase of it. All is turned upside down when the State of Carolina breaks away from the crown and his defiant older son joins the Continental Army. With a young Heath Ledger playing older rebelious son, Gibson is suddenly confronted with the horrors of war when his home is over run by the British Army and the arrival of the film's villian played by Jasson Issacs, a cold hearted Dragoons Guard. In the first incounter, Gibson loses his second son to this monster and then the "fun" begins. As usual a romantic line to the story is involved with Gibson's character's sister in law played by the beautiful Jolie Richardson. A cat and mouse game soon insues and the movie rides along on the back of the continuing tension as Gibson and Issacs face off. With constant setbacks that leaves you thinking if the Good will triumph over Evil, all soon comes to a head in one final epic battle and it's bloody conclusion... The birth of The United States Of America. The DVD contains a surprisingly large amount of information including how they did that cannonball through the ranks scene. For Gibson fans and all, a worthy addition to your library.
Rating:
Summary: What a Patriot should be
Review: I enjoy this film each and every time I stick it into the player. It's essentially the story of one man's struggle with his faith during the American Revolution. Due to a shameful past during the French & Indian War, Benjamin Martin has no desire to go to war against England. Eventually, when his family is targeted by the ruthless Colonel Tavington, Benjamin joins up with the Colonial
Mel Gibson once again discharges the role of the reluctant hero who ultimately feels compelled to risk life and limb for his nation. A family is provided to move the plot along. The sons' commitment to the revolution places the Gibson character in an inescapable predicament. A loyal wife and adorable little girls tug at our heart strings. Tom Wilkerson as the British General Corwallis plays the part of a man who will abide by his strict military moral code even if it will hurt England's chance for victory. On the other hand, his underling performed by Jason Isaacs is the pure personification of evil. Isaacs is at his best when ordering the so called traitors burned alive in the church. The director Roland Emmerich knows how to film scenes guaranteed to glue viewers to their seats even though this movie is every long.
The Patriot" does not discount that there were many who were opposed to an armed conflict with the mightily superior and highly organized British army. Indeed, one of the strengths of this movie is that it illustrates how difficult the decision to defend and to extend their notion of freedom and liberty was, knowing that many families would be torn asunder, homes destroyed, and lives sacrificed.
Rating:
Summary: Remember it's just a movie
Review: I watched Braveheart, The Patriot and Gladiator back to back. I would rank them in that order 1,2 & 3 starting with Braveheart. I would rate the Patriot a 4. Better than Gladiator but not as good as Braveheart. No reason you shouldn't add this one to your DVD library.
Rating: 
Summary: The Revolution According to Mel
Review: Few films are made about the Revolution since WW II, the financiers on Wall Street must not be comfortable with the concept. The film begins by showing a meeting to discuss Independence, and the need for war. One man talks of "taxation without representation", but the Declaration of Independence lists all the grievances. (Do you remember them?) There is no mention of the 1765 Stamp Act and the ruinous taxation that followed. There is little said of the business of this planter. Isn't tobacco the equivalent of coca leafs or opium poppies? The film gives an example of the fighting of that time. The Carolinas suffered the most in the Revolution, even more than New Jersey, where many of the battles were fought (the land bridge connecting Philadelphia to New York). The after battle scene shows pistols and muskets used to kill wounded prisoners; they would have used gun butts, bayonets, or swords as in other massacres. The film is accurate in showing boys experienced with firearms, and the use of knives and tomahawks in close combat. Colonel Mel leads his militia into guerrilla attacks on British supply wagons. The militia was usually used to attack foraging troops. These losses tied down the British regulars and prevented their advance. No mention of the Loyalist militia here. The film shows the British setting a trap to ambush the ambushers! (How could this failure of intelligence occur? Just for dramatic effect?) The "Ghost" plays a trick on the General to get 18 prisoners released. Another failure of intelligence? Historians will object to some of the events created for dramatic effects. But popular entertainment isn't academic history. The celebration at the seashore seems designed for an intermission. The scene where the townspeople are locked in a church and then burned alive has been criticized as an invention. But it symbolizes the cruelty and horrors of war in the Carolinas. Afterwards Mel's men catch up to some of the troops. Could that experienced Colonel be surprised by not posting guards? The evil Colonel escapes by a ruse; would an experienced soldier be fooled? The final battle seems to be based on the battle of Cowpens, when the retreating militia led the charging British into the prepared trap and won the battle. There is a final confrontation between Mel and the evil Colonel. Cornwallis is forced to retreat to Yorktown, where the French fleet traps them and forces a surrender. The War of Independence was won! But you owe it to yourself to read a history book to learn more. Mike Wright's "What They Didn't Teach You About the American Revolution" is a good place to start.
Rating: 
Summary: This is a masterpiece of fiction...
Review: Okay, I don't know why all the negative criticism about this movie. First, let me tell folks that this is a movie you should look at without expecting it to totally change your life or your outlook on it. It is not a history lesson; it is based loosely on some facts, but basically it is fiction with the backdrop of the American Revolution, and how great that was, and so is this movie. Mel Gibson was excellent. There were other people in the movie who also played their roles superbly. It is a brutally real story of war in people's own backyards and towns, and focuses on one man's struggle to protect his family from the horrors of the war around them. Whoever says this movie blows has expected way too much from a movie like this, and expects a movie to just dramatically alter their feelings. Don't listen to the criticism; see the movie for yourselves, and then decide based on the storyline itself, not its historical inaccuracies. And all props go out to director Roland Emmerich!
Rating:
Summary: - An Historic Joke to Represent the Bush Presidency -
Review: Don't waste more than a dollar on this abomination. The American director and writer are the real villains in this flop, not the British officers. A great opportunity to make a Rev War battle flick that outdid the modest British-produced 'Revolution' and the flawed but spectacular 'Gettysburg' was lost by hackneyed reversion to Hollywood cliche, presumably to appeal to every segment of the woefully ignorant American family audience. Plot, character, behavior, score, costume design, art direction, etc. are almost all wrong. The Continental and Brit infantry extras (mostly re-enactors) do a decent job in the battle scenes which are otherwise ruined by absurdly incorrect artillery. Even the sets are wrong, being highly sanitized representations of very primitive Carolina living conditions. The infamous Tarleton and his British Legion are clothed not in their distinctive green jackets but in something better suited to a comic operetta. Too many failings in fact, dialogue, lifestyle, behavior, costume, arms, etc. to allow any but the ignorant to suspend disbelief. A mockery was made of American/British military history and cynically clothed in jingo-istic flag-waving - a fitting film to represent the hypocritical mis-representations and false 'patriotism' of the Bush administration. A reputable cast wasted on a bit of Hollywood trash - just listen to the listless delivery of Chris Cooper who must have lost all faith in the project. Even the hats are mis-cocked and worn incorrectly - just take a gander at the quasi-Napoleonic monstrosity the actor playing the French officer is made to wear!
Rating:
Summary: Finally the American South gets credit
Review: Regardless of the historical accuracy show in the film, Southerns will most likely sign that it is about time we recieved credit for helping to establish this republic.
On the whole the war fought up north was mostly political. Down south it was a bloodbath. We were fighting not political generals as up in the northern colonies but tought war veterans generals. The film serves as a reminder the the Southerns drove
the British troops upto Yorktown for the surrender.(The war up north was stalemated) AND THATS THE WAY IT WAS!
Rating:
Summary: Your typical Hollywood flick.
Review: This movie is a dud. It was a total Hollywood piece of junk. I strongly recommend avoiding this movie if you are a fan of great period movies such as Gettysburg & Barry Lyndon (for starters). The Patriot is more in lines with movies such as Titanic, Pirates of the Carribean, a Knights Tale and Pearl Harbor.... I wish Gibson would have directed it. He may have given it the same treatment that Braveheart & The Passion recieved.....For shame Mel! The American Revolution deserves better then this movie.
Rating:
Summary: WOW
Review: yeah "WOW" is the way i describe this movie. i saw this movie when it first came out. and it's just AWESOME. altho it's a patriotic film, it still include some funny scenes, which is really kool. i strongly recommend it
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