Despite Excessive Violence, ‘Braveheart’ Well Done

Mel Gibson’s new picture, “Braveheart,” is more evidence proving that the Motion Picture Association of America is an immoral organization that is all but worthless.

The MPAA is what gives a movie its PG, R or whatever rating. It’s said this is based on the film’s content, but it is actually based on the film’s budget, studio and stars. This is why a bloody independent slapstick comedy like “Evil Dead 2” is denied an R rating, but a bloody and graphic action film like “Braveheart” receives an R.

“Braveheart” features hangings, stabbings, beheadings, impalings and bludgeonings. People are burned alive, have various limbs chopped off, have their throats cut, get shot in the face with arrows and are tortured.

If this were not a big “Hollywood” film, it would be deemed too violent for an R rating. I can see giving a film like this an R if it had much historical significance and tried to educate the viewers. But “Braveheart” is merely an action movie. And a violent one.

It tells the story of William Wallace (Gibson), a Scottish man who decides to fight back against the brutal English who control Scotland and its people. After they execute a close friend, he kills those responsible, and soon finds himself leading an army of Scots against the English.

In addition to his English enemies, he must also battle greedy Scottish politicians who will sell out to the English in a second.

Reminding us that this is just a movie is the picturesque love between William and the woman he courts, played by Catherine McCormick. The romantic scenes do well in illustrating their love, which is necessary for plot purposes, but ultimately slow the film.

The graphic battle scenes are exciting and well-directed (by Gibson). They are “big” in the sense that “Henry V” and “Last of the Mohicans” were; the amount of people engaged in life-or-death combat is overwhelming. And the quick editing and close-ups put the audience right there.

Gibson knows how to put together a slick movie, and as an actor, he fares well (this time). Although there are some moments where traces of his superstardom surface, Gibson is mostly believable in his role. His acting is most powerful in the final scenes, where he gives a look that is perhaps the high point of his career.

But the best performance in the film is by Sophia Morceau. She plays Isabel, a French princess married off to the prince next in line to England’s throne. She steals all of her scenes and is the most intriguing character in “Braveheart.”

The climax, while well done, is unnecessary and pointless. The action only reiterates a point that has already been made repeatedly, and it’s the final sick element that pushes the film’s violence into sadism.

Aside from the gratuitous bloodshed that would have pushed any independent low-budget film out of the R category, “Braveheart” is still entertaining. There are many small faults, but overall, “Braveheart” surprisingly overcomes them. After sitting through the threehour running time, your butt may hurt, but you may find it worth it.

Grade: B+