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DVD The Patriot (Superbit Deluxe Collection)
Aimed directly at a mainstream audience, The Patriot qualifies as respectable entertainment, but anyone expecting a definitive drama about the American Revolution should look elsewhere. Rising above the blatant crowd pleasing of Stargate, Independence Day, and Godzilla, director Roland Emmerich crafts a marvelous re-creation of South Carolina in the late 1770s (aided immeasurably by cinematographer Caleb Deschanel), and Robert Rodat's screenplay offers the same balance of epic scale and emotional urgency that elevated his earlier script for Saving Private Ryan. Unfortunately, Emmerich embraces clichés and hackneyed melodrama that a more gifted director would have avoided. Instead of attempting a truly great film about the most pivotal years of American history, Emmerich settles for a standard revenge plot with the Revolutionary War as an incidental backdrop.
On those terms, the film is engrossing and sufficiently intelligent, especially when militia leader Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) cagily negotiates with British General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) in one of the most rewarding scenes. For the most part, the story concerns Martin's anguished quest for revenge against ruthless redcoat Colonel Tavington (played with snide relish by Jason Isaacs), and the rise to manhood of Martin's eldest son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), whose battlefield honor exceeds even that of his brutally volatile father. At its best, The Patriot conveys the horror of war among innocent civilians, and the epic battle scenes, while by no means masterful, are graphically intense and impressive. And although Ledger's love interest (Lisa Brenner) is too bland to register much emotion, the focus on family (which frequently relegates the war to background history) provides a suitable vehicle for Gibson, who matches his achievement in Braveheart with an effectively brooding performance. --Jeff Shannon
Review(s): DVD The Patriot (Superbit Deluxe Collection)
another "independence day" for roland emmerich
The Patriot is torn betwen its desire to be a commerical blockbuster and to be a fair representation of the Revolutionary War. This can be glimpsed by comparing the previous credits of the film's writer Robert Rodat (saving private ryan)and director Roland Emmerich (Godzilla, Independence Day). The moral weightiness of the former meets the popcorn atmosphere of the latter and the result is a flawed, but not without merit, piece of cinema. Mel Gibson is perfectly cast as a gentle caring widower and father of six who convincingly resorts to bloodthirsty rebel ways (he had previously fought in the French-Indian War)when his family's safety is first jeopardized and later torn asunder. He doesn'twant to get involved in the war dammit, but when push comes to shove, he will take on a British squadron of nearly 20 singlehandedly. This bloodthirsty segment in the film's first 1/4 gave even me pause and though its rationale is understandable, the film carries the weight of the scene uneasily towards the expectedly rousing finish when Mel doesbattle with the evil personified of the British troops (acted with relish and zest by Jason Isaacs.) Heath Ledger makes his own bid for stardom as Mel's oldest son who defies his father's orders and joins the battle against the Brits. The production design is smashing and the period detail true. And even though it goes on for too long at 2 3/4 hours, the film actually uses that length to flesh out several of the supporting characters, a worthy endeavor in a film whose ultimate prize is the $100 million mark at the box office.
STIRRING AND MOVING
Once again, people crave for authenticity...the way it really happened....and once again, I say, "It's a movie. It's entertaining and moving....I didn't take my history book along to make sure it was totally accurate. I like escapism, and movies that move me." This movie did that. It's beautifully filmed by the respected Caleb Deschanel; the music by John Williams is moving, and the cast on a whole is exceptional. Mel Gibson has been labeled an okay actor, but if you look deep inside his performances, the man does his best in filling whatever shoes his role dictates. As the family-oriented and somewhat stubborn father, he evokes the pain he feels from his actions in an earlier battle with the French; he seems devastated by his youngest daughter's silence to him; and he loves his family. Joely Richardson is effectively cast as Mel's sister in law, who helps take care of his family during this crisis. Heath Ledger is all gungho and spirited as Gabriel, and plays well with the rest of his cast. Tom Wilkinson is superb as Cornwallis, a man steeped in tradition and British fanfare. His scene with Gibson in which the patriot negotiates for the release of his 18 prisoners is exceptional. Jason Isaacs is pure evil in his role as the heartless Haverton (or whatever), and shows that war to him is merely licensed murder. The rest of the supporting cast: Chris Cooper, Rene Auberjonois, Adam Baldwin, Gregory Smith, Mira Boorkem, and Donal Logue, in particular, are great additions. The movie is a manipulative film, of course...how else would it work, but it's to director Roland Emmerich's credit, that when the credits were over, I felt moved and touched. That's what films are meant to be in my opinion.
Complete and Utter Waste of Time
I am genuinely surprised at this movie's good rating! 1)The historical innaccuracy is horrible 2)It is a movie that glorifies the WRONG things about the American Revolution 3)The love story is nauseating 4)The characters are weak and underdeveloped. Mel Gibson is an ok (Just OK) actor. Most of the others are too, with some really really bad ones thrown in- just for kicks! 5)People say it was entertaining- really? I was writhing through the entire thing. Oh, and the war scenes really aren't that gruesome... maybe its because I saw Kill Bill a month ago?
I wish I didn't waste my time with this movie! Please, please watch something else! There are so many better (historical or otherwise) movies!
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