Braveheart A Film Review By Michael Redman Copyright 1996 By Michael Redman
***1/2 (out of ****)
Mel Gibson is William Wallace, the Scot commoner who started and lead the rebellion against the English and shamed Robert the Bruce into joining and finishing their fight for freedom. An epic film in all senses of the word, the movie is a spectacular feast for the senses.
In this story, Wallace goes on a killing spree when the occupying English troops kill his wife to draw him into battle. His search for revenge draws in their village and eventually the entire country.
The rebellion of sons and the fulfillment of their father's desire themes runs throughout the tale. Wallace is raised by an uncle when his father is killed and he is living his father's warrior legacy. The treacherous English King and his son have a strained relationship to put it mildly, as do Bruce and his Machiavellian father. Two of Wallace's most trusted warriors are a father-son team.
The battle scenes as the blue-painted `Woad Warrior' Gibson and his army of berserkers attack the invaders are impressive and convincing in their blood and gore. It makes sense that a war with hundreds of men armed with swords and battle axes would not be a pleasant sight, but viewers with an aversion to graphic violence are forewarned. Gaping wounds and decapitated bodies by the score surround the blood-splattered Scots.
There are a few cultural stereotypes – a hot-blooded French babe, a weak gay prince, a mad Irishman – that go against the grain of the current politically correct wave, but they're still intriguing, believable characters.
The film is long, but you won't want to miss a minute. Skip the 10-gallon Coke, you won't find a convenient time for that trip to the restroom.
[This appeared in the 5/30/96 "Bloomington Voice", Bloomington, Indiana. Michael Redman can be contacted at redman@bvoice.com]
-- mailto:redman@bvoice.com This week's film review at http://www.bvoice.com/ Film reviews archive at http://us.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Michael%20Redman
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