Great Movie, Not So Great Critics

Rating: Null/10 (29 June 2000)

I recently saw `The Patriot' the other night and I thought it was a remarkable movie. True, it was not `Braveheart', but it was an exceptional work done by Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin (ID4, Godzilla). The only problem I saw in the movie lies within the critics and the people who choose to criticize this movie for all it's worth.
One review I read said that some of the scenes and parts in the story were `unnecessary'. (SPOILER) They claimed the scene in which Col. Tavington torched the church with people inside should not have been carried out, but merely threatened. We as people in these times forget that feelings and emotions in times of war, especially in the revolutionary times around 1776 were not and are not as fragile and forgiving as they were back then. Tavington would have probably given up his entire family for victory against the Continental Army. This man was pure evil and obviously had no remorse in killing anyone who dared to tread in his way; it was only a matter of time before he annihilated an entire community.
(SPOILER) Another scene in which Gabriel (Heath Ledger) met his demise was also controversial to some. People wonder why he was the one who dies in the end and not Gibson's character, Benjamin Martin. It would only be natural that youth would conquer and Gabriel would follow in the footsteps of his father Benjamin if he met his end, but this was not the case and here's why: Warfare in colonial times was not as tactful as it is today. Age, experience, and patience were about the only strengths one had engaging in battle. Gibson's character had all of that and then some. His son Gabriel was young, foolish, and naïve. He carried little experience with him and only acted upon his rage and impulses for revenge as he pursued Tavington that ultimately led to his death.
And yes, of course there are the historians out there who doubt its historical accuracy. We also forget that this is a movie and not a history lesson. I don't think the writers of this particular movie had the intentions of making this epic 100% accurate, either. This movie was about a man who was forced into the Revolutionary War because his family, community, and all that he lived for was being threatened. It's not supposed to be a `true story', but a story based among truth in that there were people like Benjamin Martin who fought because of the urgency and necessity that called upon them to fight for whatever they believed in because they had to, or they felt they had to. Some of us forget that movies are for entertainment purposes, and not intended to be mistaken for a history book.
I thought that this movie was great and not given enough credit than what it is due for by some critics and people. The direction, screenplay, and acting were excellent. I definitely intend on seeing it at least twice more. The casting and performances were great, all the way from Mel Gibson, to his youngest daughter in the film. Mel Gibson is on his way to being part of another great classic epic. I absolutely loved this movie and I highly recommend this movie to anyone who intends to see this movie with an open mind and not for `historical accuracy' or parts that are `necessary'. Every moment in this movie was necessary.