Pure American Propaganda, DO NOT show on the history channel - but fun to watch...

Rating: 4/10 (4 July 2003)

Well... let me start with the bad stuff because this is really important. This movie is pure American propaganda. It is so over the top, so overly dramatic, so filled with chessey, cliche American SUPERIORITY to be almost humorous. This is one heck of an American feel-good, American ego stroking movie - so much so that it is almost shameful. But, the movie is set NOT in a fantasy world, but in a historical context. And that is what worries me the worst. I fear that many will watch this movie and take it for fact. Because this movie, like so many other movies, serves to portray Americans as noble, perfect, brave and GOOD (and everyone else as BAD) beyond belief. Bottom-line, I fear this movie promotes more American egotism, more "we are better than everyone else" when, frankly, it's not true. And in this case, it paints a very one-sided, black-and-white view of an important event in American history.
Not to say Americans are evil, just that they are like everyone else. Instead of American = good and English = evil, this movie should have portrayed English and Americans just both looking after their own interests, and shown individuals on both sides running the entire spectrum of good and evil. Superiority is a dangerous attitude for ANYONE to adopt.

But, as a movie, as an action flick, disregarding it's social impact or departure from history... what can I say, I enjoyed it. The idea that one man can make a difference; the idea of fighting for the freedom of ones country against an overwhelming, ruthless, uncaring enemy; the idea of the underdog winning; the idea of everyone getting whats coming to them. These are all ideals that I love to watch. I just wish that we would search history for the right story to tell instead of REWRITING history to suit our story. So, enjoy this movie for what it is...
*** FICTION!!! ***