Pathetic attempt at historical/action film.

Rating: Null/10 (12 May 2001)

I ordered The Patriot on pay-per-view and I want my money back! The Patriot is a joke from beginning to end. The first major action sequence shows a man and two little boys taking out about 20 British troops while they are transporting the mans other son to his execution. The hero shoots first and the British soldiers just stand there and allow the children and the hero to pick them off one at a time. Not one British soldier takes cover behind a tree or the wagon. By the time the first eight were picked off you would think they would have figured out that standing in a clearing while the enemy is hiding behind trees and rocks and killing your troops at will, is a bad idea. At the end of the battle one soldier tries to run and is quickly dispatched with a hatchet thrown into his back. I wanted to turn the TV off but I figured that if I paid for it, I'm going to watch it to the end.
The movie is loosely based on the American Revolution. I think it's just a lame attempt to put a new spin on the tired action genre. The movie has some nice special effects but they aren't worth the time. Seeing cannon balls bounce on the ground and rip legs off is silly. Another bad special effect is Mel Gibson's hair piece. He should lose it or get a better one. The acting is good but the story is old and tired. Don't waste your time.
Rayvyn