Braveheart
Braveheart is one of those completely misleading epic motion pictures. In fact, I could probably make this exact same film just from cutting pieces from other epic war/romance films and splicing them together. Beneath the romantic subplots and violent war scenes is practically nothing. There is no depth because the film follows a formulaic plot which we have seen done before, and better. After subsequent viewings, I have noticed how many cliches are used, and yet with all the noise and quick cuts, these cliches are buried, only to be uncovered after many more viewings.
Braveheart is directed by the talented Mel Gibson, who unfortunately proves himself a better director than actor. Gibson is one of those appealing actors whom you like almost immediately, and as a result, we never have a chance to realize that our emotions are being toyed with. It's a shame that with this expensive motion picture, which probably took an incredible amount of work to produce, writer Randall Wallace couldn't flesh out more realistic characters and a more interesting plot. Sure, if you watch this movie in a theater, you will probably be overwhelmed by the violence and gore and loudness, but on video, you can see the problems which make the film faulter and finally fizzle out. The plot is incredibly superficial, with nothing intriguing to keep my interest. Instead, I was forced to watch the impressive production values, which were almost enough to give the film a recommendation.
Gibson's Braveheart opens with the introduction of a young William Wallace who has recently lost his father to a battle. This loss of a father is pretty much your standard hero-developing characteristic. A mourning Wallace is comforted by Murron, a young girl who later becomes his love interest. The movie jumps ahead several years, and suddenly we find Wallace (Gibson) having a secret love affair with Murron (Catherine McCormack). Murron and Wallace eventually get married, secretly, as the Lord gets first rights with a newly married lady. Unfortunately,