Power-packed and skillfully told

Rating: 9/10 (14 July 2000)

It's not like we've never seen the whole vengeance angle before -- the first I recall was "The Outlaw Josey Wales" -- but I found myself swept up in the period of "The Patriot." I've no idea of the historical accuracy or likelihood of the situations or battle scenes, but the story was compelling, intense, and nerve-twisting for most (I say most) of its 3-hour duration. We've also seen the contorted, tormented face of Mel Gibson before, but it is nonetheless satisfying given the context and worthy of many a "huzzah." No Oscar material within, I'd say, and still the film often hits you like a cannonball to the forehead.