The Patriot, weighing in at just over two and a half hours, features Mel Gibson (as Benjamin Martin) in this revolutionary war epic. Having lost his wife three years earlier, Benjamin is reluctant to go to war and leave his seven children without any parents. Against his father's wishes, Gabriel (Heath Ledger) enlists in the continental army and leaves father Benjamin home with the six remaining children.

The beauty of this film is not that it relies on fighting and explosions to move along the plot, but rather, on personal experiences. We watch as Benjamin's family grows up before our eyes (Benjamin too). We watch as their lives are changed forever and as they have to deal with the events that surround them. I can't really recall ever crying during a movie, but The Patriot almost moved me that much. This is the true beauty of this film. Yes, it has some great fighting scenes, and the ever-present Mel Gibson rallying the troops, but it goes much deeper than that, and that is what elevates this film beyond every other film in the genre.

The Patriot is able to blend together the story of the lives affected by the war along with the war itself in such a way that it's almost magical. Not once did I feel that the movie ran too long, because during every single moment something was happening - something other than a battle. The war is played out perfectly in front of us, but if you put the war aside, there's still a whole other movie waiting to be discovered. The acting from the whole family (and all involved) is spectacular, and we watch as the two youngest sons must grow up to rescue the older, we watch as his youngest daughter musters the courage to confront her dad, and we watch as Benjamin is able to put his past behind him and move on. This film is brilliantly directed and acted because really, there's two films here melded together into one.

Basically, you really have to see this film for yourself, see how it is all brought together, and how it's quite possibly the best film of the year so far. I've read reviews comparing this movie to Braveheart, but the fact is, while Mel does come in to rally the troops and turn the tide, there's not really much else to compare. The movie contains a great plot coupled with a superb sub-plot and all in all, it's just a great movie. You probably won't want to take your 8-year-old son to the movie because of the graphic gore and long running time, but for the movie-going adult, you can't go wrong with The Patriot

Genres: Action, Drama, War
Rated: R
Runtime: 164 minutes
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