brilliant

Rating: 10/10 (12 October 2006)

When i saw this movie the first time i was truly touched at the remarkable portrayal of the lead character Benjamin Martin by the limitless talents of Mel Gibson. brave heart was still better in some ways but this film took the tops in a few ways of its own. forget about how totally accurate this movie may have been historically speaking because when it comes to an action movie, this film i believe more than makes a place for itself.
The most movings moments of the entire film above and beyond all the others for me were the moment where he is trying to save his oldest son, then his next oldest son Thomas tries to save his captured brother Gabriel. colonel William Tavington of the British army takes it upon himself to shoot his son. Mel Gibson falls to his knees and catches him before he falls. the next thing you see as his son dies in his arms is that when Mel Gibson looks up at the colonel and says he was a stupid boy. you can see by the look in the eyes of Mel Gibson "THIS IS WAR" he forgets all about his wanting to forget his past, trying to hide from what he knew he had done. but no longer.
he took two of his three remaining sons and using his knowledge of the area he beat the British to the spot where they would cross. he and his sons attacked without warning. they started shooting. but once he was out of bullets he charged in with a knife and a Cherokee tomahawk. this was the most moving moment of this film not because of the motives, or any reason other than when Mel Gibson is fighting hand to hand with trained, armed and dangerous men and slaughters them. his sons watch in horror that the peaceful and loving father they knew could be capable of such atrocities. all of them are dead but one who holds a knife to his son Gabriel's neck. Benjamin martin takes aim with his tomahawk, he sinks it into the mans forehead. suddenly out of the blue a British soldier tries to get up and run. Mel Gibson drops him by the creek by retrieving his tomahawk from the last victim. then when you think that most movies would stop so those week stomached people who complain even in war films that "theres too much violence." well i give my thanks and applause to the film makers and most of all to Mel Gibson for this moment of the film as well as the film in general. he unleashes his rage for the loss of his son and for them bringing him into the war from what he had tried to leave behind...that war hungry monster within. he chops away at the man who lies helpless in agony as he unleashes that fury, with each chop he is covered in blood. his children watch from afar and watch him fall part. and like most people would in real life while that rage takes place that softer side comes out and he breaks down. i have only a few times in my life seen acting of such skill, and of all those more than half of those incredible moments were performed by Mel Gibson.
the reason i take so much time to recall that moment is because i never took movies seriously for the most part because they never were taken serious in a lot of cases of what could have made them incredible movies. this is one exception of only a few that i call perfect. this film shows you a glimpse of life in the colonies, the battles our American people fought so hard to win. the start and end of the war. brilliant acting, war, friendship, leadership, inspiration, patriotism. this film brought all that and more to the screen. if i wore a hat any day i would tip my hat to the makers of this film, and those who made it happen. if more movies were taken to such an extent of acting regardless of historical acting i think a lot more movies would be better for it. one of Mel Gibson's finest moments. hands down 10/10 two thumbs up.