What to say about The Last of the Mohicans that hasn't already been said?
The cinematography is absolutely stunning. The colors and scenery used are phenomenal. Just an absolutely beautifully shot movie. Likewise, the acting and directing are nearly perfect, and we all know the music is some of the best ever made.
It seems there is currently a trio of war/patriot movies out now. "The Last of the Mohicans", "Braveheart" and "The Patriot" make up this trio, and they all have amazing similarities. They all contain the brawny, long-haired pacifist drawn into the fighting when his loved ones are drawn into it. They all dog on the British pretty badly. And they all contain that last climactic scene between hero and archvillain.
But Last of the Mohicans breaks several of the stereotypes set by the movies that came after it. While the shortest of the three, Mohicans feels more like the epic, what with its cinematography and soaring score making the movie seem ethereal at times. And although it seems epic, it doesn't seem to run long enough. By the time you realize that inevitable climactic battle has happened, the movie is already ending. And that climactic fight is far shorter than say, The Patriot's.
Also, Mohicans has a more complex plot. Because Lewis' character is fighting not only to protect his girl, but also the families of the settlers, the rights of the colonists and the lives of his adoptive family. (As opposed to Mel Gibson's characters who fight for revenge and "FREEEEDOOOM!")
Needless to say, Last of the Mohicans is incredibly impressive. Some of the speeches (especially the argument between Madeleine Stowe's character and her father) are moving and believable, while the violence is done quite tastefully.
Unfortunately, the fight scenes are a bit hard to follow at times, but this seems to be the only part where the movie is even the slightest bit lacking.
Overall Last of the Mohicans is an excellent movie, just below The Patriot on the war/action/romance scale. It is truly stunning.
The cinematography is absolutely stunning. The colors and scenery used are phenomenal. Just an absolutely beautifully shot movie. Likewise, the acting and directing are nearly perfect, and we all know the music is some of the best ever made.
It seems there is currently a trio of war/patriot movies out now. "The Last of the Mohicans", "Braveheart" and "The Patriot" make up this trio, and they all have amazing similarities. They all contain the brawny, long-haired pacifist drawn into the fighting when his loved ones are drawn into it. They all dog on the British pretty badly. And they all contain that last climactic scene between hero and archvillain.
But Last of the Mohicans breaks several of the stereotypes set by the movies that came after it. While the shortest of the three, Mohicans feels more like the epic, what with its cinematography and soaring score making the movie seem ethereal at times. And although it seems epic, it doesn't seem to run long enough. By the time you realize that inevitable climactic battle has happened, the movie is already ending. And that climactic fight is far shorter than say, The Patriot's.
Also, Mohicans has a more complex plot. Because Lewis' character is fighting not only to protect his girl, but also the families of the settlers, the rights of the colonists and the lives of his adoptive family. (As opposed to Mel Gibson's characters who fight for revenge and "FREEEEDOOOM!")
Needless to say, Last of the Mohicans is incredibly impressive. Some of the speeches (especially the argument between Madeleine Stowe's character and her father) are moving and believable, while the violence is done quite tastefully.
Unfortunately, the fight scenes are a bit hard to follow at times, but this seems to be the only part where the movie is even the slightest bit lacking.
Overall Last of the Mohicans is an excellent movie, just below The Patriot on the war/action/romance scale. It is truly stunning.