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The Patriot Customer Reviews (34 - 36 of 119 Reviews)

Hollywood Not History !!!!
When I first watched the movie, I had a blast watching it. Though as time passed I plainly got bored with it, and got to the point of not watching it completely. Yes, I still watch it every once in awhile. From the very begging I could see that this was based on Hollywood and definitly not History. There are many flaws, and unforgiving mistakes in the movie. I know, that people are looking for an action movie .... not a History Channel... documentary, but still Ron Emmerich( the director) may have gotten to carried away.

First, of all I see that Emmerich added the old good vs. evil hollywood trick, which is of course very common. Really, the British people were and still aren't evil,.... gosh. If you look at the political matters I say that both the Colonists and British are at fault, with niether side being the good guy,at in fact only the British army offered freedom to slaves that served. George Washington, was a man of the era being a slave owner himself in fact, and I'm not saying he's a bad person either. Also the first American flag shown in the movie wasn't even created until, after the war. The French weren't helping us at all by the way; they in fact were using us so that they could gain an upper edge in the battle of the New World colonies. They also wanted their lands on the Frointer back too, that they lost in the French Indian War. THe French really never cared who one, as long as they got something out of the whole deal.

Since, I gave you a brief history I will explain some other flaws that really bugged me. For example, Emmerich didn't do his homework because, the colonists just didn't kill 700 red coats close range, more like 1000.... if you actually stayed awake during History class.... ok that was history related as well, but now I will put that whole history thing behind me. The setting just didn't feel realistic, and the acting in my opinion was plainly weak... with only Mel Gibson pulling through with a good performance. I don't really know why they picked Mel Gibson for the role, but he kinda impressed me. Heath Ledger put in a respectable performance, but he did better in "Knight's Tale"!!! It's in fact like "A Knight's Tale" being a great action movie, but is nothing special with a few flaws here and there. Both the movies are fun to watch but, are not masterpieces by any means.

There were though some nice visuals, and battles. There was still something missing. The battles were lacking, just compare the scenes of Lord of the Rings and this and you'll see what I mean. True there is no way you can actually compare the two. My point is that they sholud have made the battles more realistic and intense. You can tell alot of the stuff is computer animated. The movie did depict the milita in realistic way, but really it's just hard for me to picture Mel Gibson as the so called leader. Yet, this movie does give credit to the people who really helped us gain the upper edge the milita. The movie also did give you the idea of what the patriots gave for freedom and liberty. This movie you can say is historical fiction not propoganda Hollywood. Besides that this is still a pretty good action movie, but something you have to go buy.

The movie is just to bland and flawed for me to enjoy at times... yet it will be fun to watch at times. I myself wouldn't have bought this if I could do it all over again, but it's still something you should rent in the future, and maybe buy it if you like it. I say just go see something more innovative and something that hasn't been done before.

Overall, I will give this movie an 3/5,... pretty good historical fiction movie, but nothing impressive!!!

-Rogue Fox "rogue"
REVIEW MASTER

... want help or buying advice be free to check out my other reviews.

Braveheart redux: Mel kills some more evil Brits!
For a movie that is so blatantly flag-waving and American, that paints the British as pure evil, and which is more or less a fictional propaganda movie, it's pretty darn entertaining. Just don't expect a masterpiece.

Sons of Liberty
I've just finished watching this movie in U.S. History, and it was simply wonderful! It had a big impact on me, and gave me a deeper respect and understanding of the Revolutionary War. All off the characters and actors were incredible, and the scenery was spectacular. It doesn't seem too Hollywoodish to me. This story has some important messages for all us to learn, especially for those that have men & women fighting in our armed forces.

The story takes place in South Carolina in July 1775, where Benjamin Martin (Oscar-Award winner Mel Gibson, "Braveheart", "Pocahontas", "What Women Want", "Letal Weapon", "Forever Young") leads a quiet life on his plantation with his family after serving as captain during the French and Indian War. He doesn't like war after seeing all the souls being lost, and he certainly doesn't want his older sons, Gabriel (Heath Ledger, "A Knight's Tale", "The Brothers Grimm") & Thomas (Gregory Smith, "Everwood") to get involved with the Revolutionary War against England. Years earlier, Benjamin lost his wife, but is always remembered as the North Star. One day, they recieve a letter from the Charleston congress to come to a meeting to decide whether or not South Carolina should be involved in the war. They arrive in this big city, where they greet their aunt Charlotte (Joely Richardson, "101 Dalmatians [1996 version with Glenn Close]"). During the meeting, people from all across the state speak out their opinion, including Benjamin. He believes that war doesn't solve the answer, and believes that talking to the British would solve things a whole lot better than losing millions of lives in battle. (Amen!) But the votes of joining the war were higher than not joining the war-28-18, to be exact. Gabriel signs up to join the army against his father's wishes. A few months later, he returns wounded while carrying dispatches to the Patriots. Benjamin urges him to stay home while he heals. The next day, while the Martins are tending to the wounded Redcoats and Continentals, Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson, "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets") comes along and commands all of the Martins' African-American servants to fight for the British, as well as the house and plantation being burned down because they were aiding the enemy. (How unfair is that? Have they ever heard of good sportsmanship in war?) Also, they capture Gabriel and sentence him to death. While Benjamin couldn't do anything to stop the British, since they would kill all of his family members if he did, Thomas rushes out to stop the them from taking Gabriel, but is killed by Cornwallis. All this happens in front of the family's eyes. Hurt and angry, Benjamin grabs his guns, takes his two younger sons, Nathan (Trevor Morgan, "I'll Remember April") and Samuel (Bryan Chafin), and goes off and kills the Redcoats holding Gabriel captive. After all the blood and sweat is shed, they return home to take the children to live with Charlotte in her plantation not far from their own. Benjamin decide to join the war, in vegeance for what has happened. Through the course of this film, Benjamin, Gabriel, and his comrades will experience plenty of sadness, anger, victory, and losses in many of the battles fought.

You already know in the course of American history that the Americans win the war, but this is the inside story of the fighting that was over 200 years ago. The characters, scenes, costumes, and words said in this film are so real; it makes you feel like you're actually there, living and breathing every speck of history. As I said earlier, there are some lessons taught in this film. The biggest one probably being that war isn't worth it because of all of the innocent lives taken away in the course of war. But at the same time, we should be thankful for all of the men & women who fight for our country to keep freedom and equality alive for all people around the world.

There are plenty of scenes that are truly unforgettable, but also said, such as all of the Martins' closest family and friends and homes being destroyed by the British. Those scenes made me want to cry because it was so sad to lose people or things that are close to your heart.

Buy this film today. It'll make you be thankful to be an American.

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