In the words of Hensing: `People don't care about the War, they care about Mel Gibson!!'

Rating: Null/10 (29 June 2000)

Unfortunately, those words are true. The acting was great but I didn't like the script. It was a typical, `let's try to get a patriotic movie out for the 4th of July' and another one of Hollywood's blockbuster's that spits good (Mel Gibson of course) verses evil (Jason Isaacs as the devil in carnet Colonel William Tavington) in a nearly three hour time span. At times the movie was poignant (SPOILER: the death of his son and the manner Mel Gibson goes for revenge) and the vivid luscious South Carolina scenery. The battle scenes were vivid and at times I cringed as the cannon balls rolled. When that wasn't catching my attention, I was restless and agitated as time went by. Personally, for nearly two hundred years American has been brainwashing ourselves into believing we broke away from Britain to avoid the tyranny of kings. Excuse me; if the colonists wanted to blame some body blame Parliament, if the blame should be on them at all. Yes, they were the one's levying the taxes but those taxes were paying for the cost of the French and Indian War defending the Americans under British protection. Americans, surprisingly enough did beat the British, but it was not because we used better tactics but because Britain was facing war with Europe as well as the Americans (When all of these countries helped us, why did we wait so long to help them) I often wonder what would have happened if Britain had been closer and been able to send more troops, and not had to worry about other countries interfering.
I think I could have really liked this movie if I didn't know the history behind it and wondering why can't Hollywood try and get it right for a change? Maybe my annoyance didn't come from Hollywood at all maybe it stems from the fact that historical inaccuracies in movies go unnoticed because people don't take the time to point them out. If it keeps the audience entertained, tells a good story who cares what we get wrong. Sorry, I don't think so.
Give me Last of the Mochicans over the Patriot any day.