Hatchet job

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 2000)

Family, war, honor, love, revenge, hope; equals a shoe-in for a Best Picture Oscar nomination. Fans of Braveheart, Saving Private Ryan, Last of the Mohicans and Gladiator will appreciate the blood, sweat and tears poured into this solid, anti-war epic. This is the story of a fictional man, set during the American Revolution, NOT a purely fact-based, historical account. FACT: the majority of atrocities committed during the American Revolutionary War were by the Hessians not the Brits.

Yes, the music is emotionally manipulative and there are holes in the plot, but it's moving nonetheless. Mel is his usual self: handsome, droll, psychotic, honorable. Heath Ledger is HOT, HOT, HOT (did I forget to mention talented as well) Jason Isaacs is the perfect villain - you uncontrollably hiss whenever he's on screen. Well worth paying full-price admission.