What better movie to go see on the Fourth Of July weekend than Mel Gibson's new movie The Patriot? I applaud just about all of Gibson's work and felt that I probably couldn't miss with this movie.
I was right.
The Patriot is based in 1776, South Carolina. The main character is Benjamin Martin, played by Mel Gibson. Benjamin is a retired war hero and widowed father of seven children. When the Colonies decide to assemble troops against English reign, Benjamin's oldest son, Gabriel, (played by Heath Ledger) decides to enlist with the Colonies against his fathers wishes. Benjamin is very worried and hurt by his sons decision, but chooses not to fight in order to stay home and protect his children.
During this horrifying time of war, a battle eventually, literally ends up on The Martins front lawn. Benjamin tries to stay neutral at this point, lending medical aid to both sides. This backfires when a power hungry Colonel of the Redcoats, (played by Jason Isaacs) uses The Martins home as an example. All they own is destroyed and one of the children are killed trying to defend another.
The grief, along with the yearning for revenge and freedom instills in Martin the desire and need to fight for and protect his land and family. He was once a Hero in the French-Indian War. He still carried guilt from what he felt to be war crimes and was hesitant to return to war. He never wanted to be the man he was then. Now he has no choice.
He becomes the leader of a militia army, and helps lead the new country to freedom from England's reign. Not an easy task. Many lives and all they have are lost along the way. Not only is Gibson's character the Patriot, but every man, woman and child that had a belief in a free, single, nation is also.
This makes for an excellent, thought provoking film. In all the hustle of the holiday, picnics, fireworks and camping, I had truly lost site of what our forefathers went through and lost in order to gain freedom for their families and all their future generations.
While this film has many expected bloody war scenes, it is essential for every American to remember that this is a sad fact of war and how passionate the soldiers who fought for their beliefs were. Added to the film is a love story for heart and nation, and even some moments of lightheartedness. It was a well-written entwining.
When I left this film, I felt I had a very good movie experience and also felt ashamed that I didn't have a flag displayed in honor of those who fought for and gained our freedom at all costs. This year before fireworks, we asked the children if they remembered what the Fourth Of July stood for, what fireworks represented and we sang the Star Spangled Banner together. I felt very good about that, it is essential for them to learn repeatedly and remember this part of America's history.
The Patriot is not the greatest movie ever made, but it is definitely a must see that is very worthwhile. Gibson improves with age and we meet Heath Ledger who seems to be a young actor who we will probably see more great acting from.
Enjoy and learn from the Patriot. It is a complete movie experience.
Mel Gibson stars as Benjamin Martin, a courageous and heroic South Carolina farmer who reluctantly joins the Revolutionary War to avenge a British col...More at HotMovieSale.com
The emotionally charged adventure The Patriot tells the story of Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson), a reluctant hero who is swept into the American Revolut...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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