After Braveheart, Gibson's crusade to destroy the British continues.

Scores points for accurately depicting the effects of a cannonball.

And that's about it.

A very engaging yet sprawling film about a pacifist who fights the American Revolution with his son as it features some outstanding performances from Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper, Jason Isaacs, and Tom Wilkinson as General Cornwallis.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Historically inaccurate and at times just plain ridiculous.

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

A very engaging yet sprawling film about a pacifist who fights the American Revolution with his son as it features some outstanding performances from Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper, Jason Isaacs, and Tom Wilkinson as General Cornwallis.

I've just been reading the IMDB forums on this film. They are great entertainment! Why is it whenever there is a film involving two nationalities or just war in general, there's a war starting between the two representatives. On this particular topic American Colonies vs British.
Everyone gets very patriotic and starts calling each other dumb asses and idiots and all other colourful phrases. Very funny.

Its a film. Based on history, something that happened a couple of centuries ago, it doesn't matter. The film itself is for people to enjoy and maybe spark some interest in its topic. Its not perfect or accurate, but still enjoyable and for that alone it has succeeded.

fun

To begin with, I fully recognise whatever historical inaccuracies this film possesses. Unless it completely takes me out of the experience, I couldn't care less. I only really care if a film succeeds in its aims. And judging by its execution and style of storytelling, I gather this is meant to be a sweeping, patriotic epic. I believe, through it all its flaws, it succeeds in those aims. It's very entertaining, with a likeable hero in Mel Gibson and a nasty sonofabitch villain in Jason Isaacs. Furthermore, there's plenty of spectacle and heart in the proceedings. The score, the direction, the writing, it's all there. Good, old fashioned fun.

"I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear."

This review reportedly contains spoilers. I can handle the truth.

This was a pretty solid action film, clearly in the vein of Braveheart. It was definitely much more brutal than I was expecting it to be, which is almost always a good thing.

Maybe the best Mel Gibson film ever? I only docked this near perfect film for that lame moment when the Racist man and the Black man, who have been feuding the whole film, basically forgive each other out of nowhere.

But Issacs is a terrific asshole. Most of the actors who follow Gibson to war are great. They all get moments to shine and some even get some good character arcs. Ledger is really good here.

The violence can be intense at times. War scenes can be brutal, but it also mixes in a lot of humor too. But when Gibson first goes crazy...woah!

And some really bad tear jerking scenes. When the little girl finally speaks or that church scene...rivers always sprout out of my eyes.