More jingoistic propagandized hogwash from my neighbours

Rating: 5/10 (26 July 2000)

I really don't know where to begin with this claptrap that many Americans on this site are calling a "great" film, a "masterpiece", some saying this is the best movie that they've ever seen. Well, my response is that 1)they don't see alot of movies, 2)their patriotism overshadows their aesthetic sensibilities or 3)they are simple-minded people who need characterizations, story-telling and acting drawn with the broadest of strokes so they aren't confused by such unnecesaries as historical accuracy. Now I'm from a former British colony just like you Americans, but we Canadians would never publicly display our hate-mongering on 2000 screens across the country and applaud it as a nation (at least I hope we wouldn't). Every non-American in this movie is seriously flawed, including those helping the Americans (the French), and every American, regardless of their actions is seen as a paragon of humanity and the same injustices that the "evil" British foist on the Americans, when duplicated by the Americans, is justified. I thought we were in a more enlightened era now but this trash brings scapegoating to a new high. I think the director, writer and producers should view Leni Riefenstahl's 'Olympia' as the pinnacle of propaganda (or perhaps they already did). On a positive side, John Williams' score was a bit less derivative then usual and I jumped during the infamous 'cannonball scene'.