The Patriot: Extended Cut, Blu-ray (2000)

by | Jul 12, 2007 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews | 0 comments

The Patriot: Extended Cut, Blu-ray (2000)

Starring: Mel Gibson, Heath Ledger, Joely Richardson, Jason Isaacs, Chris Cooper, Rene Auberjonois
Directed by: Roland Emmerich
Studio: Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Video: 2.40:1 widescreen enhanced for 16:9, 1080p HD
Audio: English 5.1 Uncompressed; English, French, Czech and Polish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
Subtitles: English SDH, English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Croatian, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Hungarian, Icelandic, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovene, Swedish, Turkish
Extras: Two featurettes (“The Art of War” and “The True Patriots”); preview trailer
Length: 174 minutes
Rating: ****

A former hero of the French and Indian War, Benjamin Martin (Mel Gibson) had renounced fighting in order that he may become a farmer and raise his family in peace.  However, when the British Redcoats arrive at his South Carolina residence and threaten his family’s security, Martin is once again forced into battle.  Alongside his idealistic son, Gabriel (Heath Ledger), Martin bravely fights for both his family and the freedom of his young nation in the American Revolutionary War. 

I can’t help but be reminded of “Braveheart” when I watch “The Patriot”.  The two films have strong similarities, including placing Mel Gibson in the lead role as a reluctant man who faces overwhelming odds in trying to defeat an enemy that has superior numbers.  Despite this common thread, I liked “The Patriot” on its own merit.  There are nice action sequences, a compelling storyline, and solid acting (particularly by Gibson and Isaacs who play the hero and villain, respectively).  “The Patriot” has repeat viewing quality and should be considered for purchase.  Recommended.  [British and Anglophile viewers may be upset by Gibson chopping up a British soldier with an ax, but then again this is Gibson, who likes things bloody…Ed.]                   

The high definition video quality of this DVD is excellent.  Images are razor-sharp and highly detailed.  Blacks are consistently dark but detailed throughout the movie.  Colors are striking and vibrant with fully saturated hues.  Picture defect mastering is near perfect with no major flaws or compression artifacts.  The overall audio quality is also excellent with the compressed English Dolby Digital 5.1 track serving as the basis for this review. [The uncompressed English PCM 5.1 track sounds perceptibly more transparent, need I say again…Ed.]).  The soundtrack aggressively incorporates all of the discrete channels into its mix.  Dialogue is crystal clear and firmly anchored in the center channel.  The surround channels are very active throughout the picture, used for both ambient sound effects and the music score.  The low frequency effects channel is deep and robust.     

– Calvin Harding Jr. 

 

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