An American action thriller; A story about a doctor and former immunologist who fights a local radical militia group which has released a deadly airborne virus. But for an insubstantial ending, this film would have had enough to justify its running time. The story idea of a rural bioengineered epidemic with rival groups trying to find an antitoxin in a race against time is quite interesting, and the supporting performances are good with notes of humour from the remote town residents. However, some scenes hang heavy because it is a hybrid story that doesn't compensate with enough action sequences. The cinematography, particularly of the Montana landscape is impressive. As an aside, the story's theme plays to a belief system and a cultural interest close to Steven Seagal's heart, that of civil rights of Native Americans in the United States, so it is an admirable effort to cover minority's customs, and also has a realistic note of compassion about a doctor for his community and an idea about protecting the status quo which is universal.
Review of The Patriot
