Director
Roland Emmerich
Cast
Mel Gibson….Benjamin Martin
Heath Ledger….Gabriel Martin
Joely Richardson….Charlotte Selton
Jason Isaacs….Col. William Tavington
Chris Cooper….Col. Harry Burwell
Tchéky Karyo….Jean Villeneuve
Rene Auberjonois….Reverend Oliver
Lisa Brenner….Anne Howard
Tom Wilkinson….Gen. Lord Charles Cornwallis
Donal Logue….Dan Scott
Leon Rippy….John Billings
Adam Baldwin….Capt. Wilkins
Jay Arlen Jones….Occam
Joey D. Vieira….Peter Howard
Gregory Smith….Thomas Martin
The Movie
The Patriot is a movie that has gotten a bad name for a couple of reasons: Braveheart was damn good and The Patriot is historically inaccurate. Here is what I think: I enjoy watching movies. If I want a history lesson I’ll look it up. Braveheart rocked. That doesn’t mean that The Patriot sucks. It’s not like it is a sequel. Ocean’s 12…now that sucked. Now, about The Patriot…
Benjamin Martin is a war hero from the French-Indian war. He is well known from that war for something that is revealed later in the movie that is brutal. The American Revolution rolls around and he does not want to fight. Against his wishes his son Gabriel signs up to kill some Redcoats. His son Thomas also wants to join but is too young. While Martin is not too enthused with his son in the army, friends higher up vow to protect Gabriel by sending him on errands and making sure he doesn’t fight.
This is all well and good until Gabriel stumbles home injured while delivering letters. Soon enough Colonel Tavington rides to the Martin home and captures Gabriel, sentencing him to be hanged. Thomas tries to free Gabriel and is killed by Tavington. Some people say that a lot of people have a switch in their head that is set off and leads them to do some crazy things. Benjamin Martins switch is turned on by the death of his son and he now leads a Militia to take down the British.
Overall the movie is awesome. The acting by all involved is fantastic. Additionally, there is the story of how Benjamin just wants to have his family and be at peace, which is acted out so well by Gibson that you can feel for the man. Ledger is golden as the rebellious son and Jason Isaacs will make you hate him.
Score: 9/10
The Video
2.35:1 – Transfer is awesome and captures everything that needs to be captured in the battle scenes.
The Audio
5.1 Dolby Surround – Sounds like a good movie.
The Extras
True Patriots – Feature that hones in on the apparel worn during the movie and its true to form nature in regards to history. This feature also focuses on the historical aspects of the film and whom the characters were loosely based on.
The Art of War – Feature that takes a look at making the war scenes realistic and some of the stunts involved. Also takes a look at how some special editing made the cannonball and its effects look great.
Visual Effects Interactive Featurette – Basically a walkthrough of using the computer effects with the scenes shot for a battle scene and cannonball scene. Mildly cool.
Conceptual Art to Film Comparisons – Storyboard to scene featurette. Neat.
Filmographies – The main players and the films they have done/been in.
Photo Galleries – Photos from the movie.
Score: 7/10
