Finally a good Revolutionary War film!

Rating: Null/10 (5 July 2000)

For the Fourth of July spirit, there is a film out that will show on what the rebels of the United States had to go through to gain their freedom, the film is called THE PATRIOT. When I first heard about this film, I was very skeptic. First, I heard that Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin were working on this film, I said, "oh boy, another dud." I thought STARGATE was so-so, INDEPENDENCE DAY was silly, and GODZILLA was awful, so what would they do with the American Revolution? Then I saw that mel Gibson was involved, and not since FOREVER YOUNG, have I seen a bad Mel Gibson movie, then again, I forgot about LETHAL WEAPON 4. THE PATRIOT is set in the year 1776, in South Carolina. Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) a former soldier during the French/Indian War who is now a plantation owner, and a father of seven. He is a widower, his wife passed away a few years eariler, and he spends his time doing woodwork in his barn. It isn't until a town meeting is called that the other Americans decide on should they go into war to fight the English for their freedom or not. Martin, doesn't want to see anymore bloodshed, he would rather see more negotiations be made, until they come to an agreement. But Martin is outvoted, but what really upsets Martin is that his eldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) enlists in the military to fight the English soldiers. Martin, being a good soul, decides to take care of all of the wounded soldiers, no matter who's side they are on. Col. William Tavington (a very sadistic Jason Isaacs) arrives and orders the wounded redcoats to be taken to a English camp, kill the wounded rebels, arrest Gabriel and taken to camp to be hung, steal the black plantation workers who work for Martin to fight for the English, and burn down the Martin house. Talk about villainy! Martin then decides that enough is enough, with Gabriel and a group of miliants that he leds, they set out to fight the English to gain their freedom. But before you will yell, "BRAVEHEART!" there are some differences in this film. First, there is Gibson's character of Martin, who would rather see the differences come to a peaceful end without raising a rifle. And Martin goes to fight, it's not only for freedom, but for revenge. Second, unlike William Wallace, Martin is a father, and is caring more for his family, than for the country. And the battle scenes are different. They are not as bloody as BRAVEHEART, or as pumped up as SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, but they do stand on it's own. What GLORY did for the Civil War, SAVING PRIVATE RYAN did for World War II, and FULL METAL JACKET did for Vietnam, PATRIOT does for the Revolutionary War. The acting in this film is also very good. I did enjoy Heath Ledger who plays the rebellious son who wants to fight for freedom. And I also enjoyed Tcheky Karyo as the French officer and Tom Wilkinson as English General Cornwallis. But the best acting credit goes to three actors. First there's Chris Cooper, a actor that I always enjoy watching. Ever since LONE STAR, I've followed this actor's career. From A TIME TO KILL to THE HORSE WHISPERER to OCTOBER SKY and AMERICAN BEAUTY to the recent ME, MYSELF, & IRENE, Cooper has always make a film worthwhile. And in THE PATRIOT he gives a great performance as American Col. Harry Burwell, a fellow soldier who fought in the French/Indian War with Martin. Then there's Jason Isaacs, the most coldest villian since Doug Hutchinson's role of "Percy Wetmore" in THE GREEN MILE. You'll hate Isaacs character of Col. Tavington so much that you would like to kill him yourself. And for that, I applaud his performance, like Richard in RICHARD III, he is indeed cold-hearted and cruel. And Mel Gibson also does a very good performance of the father who cares for his children and is emotional throughout the bloody war that takes a toll on his neighbors and family. It's too bad that THE PATRIOT is very bloody, otherwise it would have been a great film to show for schools. I know it's not historical accurate, but with the environment, the setting, and the historical characters in the film, it does give a entertaining look at the war for America's independence. But if I was a father, I would rather take my child to THE PATRIOT than to ME, MYSELF, & IRENE, SHAFT, or THE MATRIX. PATRIOT is just as bloody or gross as those films, but it is historical and who said that war was pretty? But all and all, I recommend THE PATRIOT for a entertaining film. Yeah, it's not factual, but it does give a good idea on how the Revolutionary War was fought. It's rather ironic that the first director to make a good film on the American Revolution is a German. But as for Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin, I consider this thier best work to date. Keep up the good work guys, you're now on the right track! ****1/2 (out of five)