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The
Patriot |
| Rated
R |
| Runtime:
2hr 40min |
| Starring:
Mel Gibson , Heath Ledger , Tcheky Karyo , Jason Isaacs , Lisa
Brenner |
|
MFG
Rating: 5/5
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DVD
Features
Video:
Widescreen enhanced and truly spectacular. This is a very
big movie with big scenes and gorgeous cinematography, and
it's all captured on DVD perfectly.
Audio:
The Dolby Digital 5.1 track is in my opinion a reference
quality demonstration of how to properly do surround sound.
The approaching cannons and muskets in the distance and in
the middle of battle are beyond spectacular. This is the type
of movie to use to show your friends why you spent all that
money on your home theater.
Extras:
Trailers, special effects featurette, historical featurette,
director commentary, production notes, battlefield featurette,
photos and more.
|
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this DVD to your collection
Movies
For Guys' Original Review of the Theatrical Release
American
Braveheart. That's by far the quickest way to sum up this excellent
movie.
Mel
Gibson plays Benjamin Martin, a previous war hero with a reputation
he's not proud of. Benjamin abstains from getting involved in the
current conflict with the British as his countrymen fight for the
freedom of a nation. His reasoning is that his wife has recently
died, leaving him to care for their seven children. If he goes to
war, who will take care of his children? As he states to his fellow
men when questioned on his principles, "I'm a parent, I haven't
got the luxury of principles."
Fate
didn't see it that way however, and as given away in the previews,
Benjamin finds himself fighting a war against the British along
side his very patriotic son.
The
plot is actually pretty darn satisfying even if it is a wee bit
on the predictable side. Sure, the screenwriter used just about
every movie cliché you can think of when it comes to a war
movie, but when the lines are delivered with such excellent skill,
we just don't care.
Another
very strong point in favor of the movie is that is just looks so
darn good. The battle scenes are spectacular, with the moviegoer
really getting a feeling for how damn brutal hand to hand combat
can get, and how much damage a cannon ball can do when it comes
in contact with the human body.
The
movie isn't perfect though as there are two flaws that immediately
come to mind. First, this sucker is long and it feels quite
long as well. I found myself looking at my watch several times during
the movie, which usually isn't a good sign. Secondly, there's some
serious "chick-flick" elements in this film. Not enough
to demote it by a star, but enough to make me note it here. This
isn't all action, this is a serious drama as well.
The
movie is good enough to warrant a 5 star rating though, as it really
does deserve to be seen on the big screen. If you decide to wait
on the DVD you will be really sorry as the battle scenes will lose
a lot of their power when shrunk down to fit in your living room.
-
John
|
Gun Play
Some
really brutal battle scenes.
Blood & Gore
The
only reason it's rated R is due to the violence.
Car Chases
A
few fast horses...
T&A
Nary
a hint.
Chuckles
It's
a pretty darn serious movie, but they did sneak in some funny
moments. |
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