The Patriot

Stars: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger.
Rated: R
Plot:  Mel Gibson and his family struggle through the Revolutionary War.
My Rating: 3 1/2 Stars. Definitely worth seeing, unless you can't stand a very bloody movie.

Review:
Mel Gibson has established himself as the king of historical action/war movies. And he deserves the title. His depth of character, the way he can portray both anger and sensitivity - often in the same scene - deserves high marks. It is Gibson's portrayal of Benjamin Martin, a father of a large family during the Revolutionary war, that takes this movie from being an average movie, to become well worth seeing. Heath Ledger also deserves a mention for doing a fine job as Gabriel Martin, Benjamin's headstrong son, who is quick to enlist in the revolutionary cause.

This movie follows Gibson and his family, from their debates about joining the war and their personal struggles with the British Army (and particularly with one Col. William Tavington (Jason Isaacs). There are plenty of personal victories and losses for this family to go through (as many as a lengthy 167 minutes will fit).

Gibson's character is certainly an interesting one. He is a man whose years have tamed him from a wild beast (with a sordid past, which is left as a mystery for most of the movie) to a single father who must leave that beast behind. On the other side is British General Cornwallis (Tom Wilkinson) who must struggle between the need to win a war, and his care for his honor as a British gentleman. Unfortunately, Wilkinson's character is not developed as much, as the British are most often represented by the one-dimensional evil of Col. Tavington.

As I am quick to mention in my one line summary, this is quiet the gory movie. It includes many scenes of violence (both in battle scenes and elsewhere). If you can't stomach that sort of stuff, avoid this movie. If you can stomach it, this movie is well worth the trouble.

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