The Patriot

With the 4th of July upon us, there are a number of films that come to mind, and being 2 days prior to the actual 4th I want to discuss the Epic film The Patriot.  I saw this in the theater and loved it, but the mentality of this event in our nations history when you're 18 as opposed to 29 is much different. As much as I liked the film, at 18 "Freedom" is just another word in the realm of our normal existence. Now at 29, with a brother in the military, recently back from Afghanistan it holds a slightly different perspective in my mind. Freedom is everything and The Patriot not only show our fight for freedom during the Revolutionary War, but it really focuses in on one man's struggle to raise his family alone in the midst of all the fighting. It is not about a lowly farmer who can't fight, so he feels helpless. Not that at all. Benjamin Martin (Gibson) is actually a war veteran and hero, known for his relentless hunting, killing, and ruthless scalping of the French army several years earlier during the French/Indian war. At this point in his life, he just wants to keep his 4 sons and 1 daughter safe from war. His eldest son has a different plan. Gabriel (Ledger) wants to fight for his country and enlists where he sent to the lines to fight. Benjamin knows he cannot stop him, but he can stop his other, younger sons and continue to protect them. When a ruthless British Colonel kills his second oldest son Thomas, he has no choice but to retaliate in the form of lending his war skills to the cause. The movie is brilliantly shot. The action, dialog, and directing are all top notch. When Benjamin goes after his recently captured son, this is where we see what he is capable of. I don't recall seeing so much blood in a single scene. When he whips out his Indian tomahawk, you better be on his side or you won't be happy when he is done. His new lot in life has nothing to do with winning the war, but more like winning the battle. I know it doesn't make sense, but all he sees is red, and all he wants is the scalp of the Colonel that turned his world upside down. The historically based revenge flick is the perfect 4th of July film. There is another one that competes for that honor which you probably know what it is, but will definitely know come Monday. 

NBM rates The Patriot - Phenomenal