Movie Review: The Patriot

Story: Okay - so I got suckered into the red, white and blue holiday hoopla. I did the tall ships (also known marketing wise as OpSail) and then went way out of my zip code to view the stupendous fireworks (10 LOBO HOWLS) so I thought The Patriot would wrap up my patriotic spin before I returned to my left-wing whiny self. But guess what? I was really entertained! Lobo liked the movie!

Mad Max is back. It is the buzz that Mel Gibson turned down the role of The Gladiator because he thought he was to old for that part. Mel's no fool -- he was already filming the part. Only this time he was wearing buckskin and fighting with a musket and hatchet. You know the story. It is 1776, South Carolina and the Revolutionary Army is being throttled by Cornwallis' Redcoats. There's a really bad Englishman (the English have already registered their strong protest) and some very reluctant South Carolina farmers, turned into heroes for the red, white and blue. Everyone is armed to protect farm and family, and we are still battling the 'right to have arms' mentality 225 years later (oh oh, I digress). There is not much historical content in the movie. It really could have been any hand to hand combat event but they chose this one (I guess for the timing of the holiday). Written by Robert Rodat (Saving Private Ryan) and directed by Roland Emmerich (Godzilla and Independence Day) the battle scenes are thrillingly bloody, partially digitalized and thoroughly entertaining. The non-battle scenes are very trying. The predictability level was off the charts. I endured much groaning and longed for better editing. There are embarrassing portrayals of blacks of the time period, a comic Frenchmen (who doesn't like to make fun of the French)? and some very syrupy children. Luckily the battle scenes were many and so terrific I was able to overlook the sappy factor. And the popcorn was delicious.

Acting: Mel Gibson is better as Mad Max. He seethes, he squints, he glistens and he gets revenge. He also looks good in slow motion with big music. Very stirring indeed! Jason Isaacs is textbook fabulous as the despicable child murdering Colonel Tavington. Chris Cooper (a John Sayles favorite and one of mine as well), is underutilized. I hope he made a lot of money for this role. Joely Richardson does a heaving chest and lots of longing stares at Mel. (She was probably thinking of husband Liam most of the time.) Another Aussie, Heath Ledger, as the oldest son and heart throb was adequate. And Tom Wilkinson as Cornwallis was good and looked liked he enjoyed his delicious part.

Pets: Two beautiful Great Danes and a gazillion horses.

Visual Art: Some period embroidery.

Soundtrack: Big and swelling

Theater Audience: The most crowded film I have been at in a long time. Mostly young men (sitting apart from one another and taking up most of the back of the theater), a few people who looked like they could have signed the Declaration of Independence and one crazy guy in the first row who came in carrying about 300 shopping bags.

Sappy, Schmaltzy, Syrupy Factor : 10

Tissue Usage: 1

Oscar Worthy: No

Length: Almost three hours - points deducted for this.

LOBO HOWLS: 6