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The Patriot (1986)

Directed by: Frank Harris
Starring: Gregg Henry (Ryder), Simone Griffeth (Sean), Stack Pierce (Atkins), Diane Stevenett (Maggie), Glenn Withrow (Pink), Larry Mintz (Bite), Leslie Nielson (Admiral Fraser), and others
Rated: R (coarse language etc)


Well. Where do we start? With the floating guns? The complete annihilation of military procedures? Or the "action" that takes place underwater ... or the moment that saves this entire movie?

I'm going to spoil this movie for you, so if you don't want to know the outcome, then don't read on. Actually, do read on.

We open with three bad guys (Atkins, Pink and Bite) breaking into a nuclear facility - Glenn actually has the first line in the film, but in a move that harkens me back to Beverly Hills Cop 2 - he's also wearing a mask. But hey, it's breaking into a nuclear facility, so have at it.

Speaking of said nuclear facility ... when I set up my security, I make sure it's full of rent-a-cops and guarded by only a chain link fence. Oh, and a buzzer alarm. Because if someone tries to break in, that buzzer will completely deter them.

Okay, so in the first few minutes, you get the sense that this is a movie where the words "suspension of disbelief" will be employed many times over. The music and the whole opening actually reminded me of an episode of The A-Team. Only ... well, that would have gone better. Our baddies break in, steal nuclear devices and then proceed to blast their way out with automatic weapons while our nuclear facility "guards" flail about from the impact of the many bullets they are riddled with. It would be nice if maybe they had a gun or something to shoot back with. I'm just saying.

Our bad guys are stealing these devices and using an oil pipeline to send them out to their crew on the oil rig. Also on the rig is diver Maggie, who thinks something is up and goes to her old friend Ryder, ex-Navy seal and current "bad boy waiting for opportunity to redeem himself through serving his country and thus overcoming personal demons." Ryder blows her off a bit at first, then comes onto the oil rig "undercover" to investigate. When Maggie dies suspiciously, Ryder is devastated. He is then reinstated in the Navy (by Admiral Leslie Nielson, playing straight, lest you think this is a comedy. Honestly, a little Buck Frobisher on the old Admiral wouldn't have hurt).

He then dines with the Admiral and old friend/love interest Sean. Let me stop here and say there is an essential person I suspect was missing from the crew on this movie - military consultant. Ryder enters the restaurant in his service blues and removes his cover. He then proceeds to sit down at the table with Lieutenant Sean who is wearing her cover in the restaurant! I'm Canadian and I know that US Navy (and all other branches of your fine military) do NOT wear their covers indoors! I know, picky detail, right? But little details are so important to authenticity. I whipped out my suspension of disbelief hat and threw it on. If she can wear hers indoors, so can I.

Sean's boyfriend seems none too thrilled when Ryder goes after her and they have the requisite discussion about how he shut down after Vietnam and how he used to be called "The Patriot" and wake up why don't you and fight for something blah blah blah. Simone Griffeth has a real 1940s starlet quality about her. Think Maureen O'Hara - she seems to have that style of delivery. It was a little over-the-top for me. She then goes home with Ryder and they sleep together. Unfortunately, this couple has all the warmth of two ice cubes sitting in a highball glass. Ryder then finds his way to the bad guys' lair (oh, the dancing ... Glenn!) and overhears that Sean's crazy ass boyfriend is part of the baddie scheme. Meanwhile, Atkins and his bad guy helpers go deliver the last nuclear bomb via the oil outflow and Atkins decides he doesn't need his lackeys anymore. This is the one moment that redeemed the movie for me - well, part of the movie.

Atkins shoots Bite (played by Larry Mintz, who occasionally teaches with Glenn and his wife Hallie Todd at In House Media). Then we get the awesome that is Glenn Withrow. I suspect the director must have seen how freaking amazing he is at conveying emotion, since the scene runs a little longer than it has to. Pink looks at his friend's dead body, then up at Atkins, realizing he'll be shot next. As Atkins levels the gun at Pink and he prepares to die, you can actually feel the sick anticipation. Now, I didn't notice on my first watch through (it goes by really fast), but I screencap frame by frame, and I noticed that he actually sheds a tear - for real. I replayed the scene a bunch of times - he is made of win and awesome. Can you imagine what he'd do with a script worthy of his talent? The gun goes off, and that is the end of Pink.

Unfortunately, it's not the end of the movie.

Long story short, Ryder saves the day, what with the gun fight on board the oil rig and so on and so forth. I noticed an automatic rifle floating in the ocean, which made me toss my suspension of disbelief hat out the window and start to cry.

So enjoy these screencaps. If you're interested in buying this movie, it's available on DVD from CDuniverse.com. It's worth it for the dancing alone. ;-)

Purchase Information

DVD - Available from CDuniverse.com and Amazon.com.
 

Pictures
(Click to enlarge)



Breaking into the nuclear facility. I can never get over his eyes, they just say so much.



Atkins forces Bite and Pink to de-mask.



Pink's a little reluctant to help with the nuclear bomb.



And really, who can blame him? It's nuclear.



Although he finally picks one to carry lol.



Pink tries hitting on Maggie at the country bar.



Pink and Bite are a little concerned about dropping the nuclear weapon.



Atkins asks what they plan to do when this is all over. They're going to Disneyworld! (I'm not joking)



Pink gets a little worried when Atkins takes out a gun



And then looks at what Atkins does with that gun - kills his best friend.



Woobie alert! Pink looks at Atkins and realizes what's next.



And he prepares for his death.



Bye, Pink.

Video Clips




Pink dies.