Gibson saves the film.

Rating: 8/10 (6 July 2000)

Some actors never sink with the ship. Fine actors such as Denzel Washington and James Woods have had their share of bad movies, but somehow they manage to rise above the mediocrity of the film. Mel Gibson has been a good actor as long as I can remember, but what I appreciate about him most is that he isn't satisfied with being good, as we can see improvements film by film. Here is a man that is dedicated to his job.
Now this is not to say that The Patriot is a sunken vessel. It is a well-cast, well-directed picture with focus and a duel energy. Not only are these characters fighting because their families are gone, but if they don't fight now they may lose their country. Many compare this movie to Braveheart, and that is justified. It's basically a retread: Mel Gibson's family is murdered so he starts his own militia to seek revenge, etc. It was better than Braveheart in that you felt the characters were more driven with their rage in The Patriot, they had more of a reason to be out for blood. Worse in the sense that The Patriot's romance scenes bordered on cheesy and some of the dialogue from it left something to be desired.
All in all it is a recommendable film. It seems accurate enough to be shown in a school history class. There was no sex and no language to speak of, although the violence might be what sends the junior high kid home with a permission slip to be signed by his parent or guardian. Those who trash the movie are missing the point, I think. It's not so much about a bloody war movie as it is a story about a man who knows he can't justify his actions and sins, but knows no other way to go about it.
*** (out of 4)