Favorite Scene Fri(Saturday)day: So Long 2011, it’s Been Epic

                Some of you might be wondering why in the hell this post wasn’t up yesterday, well don’t fret, we did this on purpose so we could rightfully send 2011 out with a bang.  The scene that ties this all together is taken from the monumental 1995 Academy Award winning film:  Braveheart.  Or, that kick-ass movie from back when Mel Gibson was completely and utterly nutso, as I like to call it.  Racist and psycho or not, you’ve got to hand it to Mel – this is one hell of a picture and this final scene may be one of the best ending moments ever captured on film.  We pick up right after Mel’s devastating cry for “FREEDOM!!!!!!!!” just before he gets nixed and are taken right back to the(a) battlefield – basically back to the groundwork that made us love this movie in the first place – and are left with the weasel who “fucked it up” for Mel’s William Wallace in the first place.  If you haven’t seen it, William Wallace’s death is a direct result of the bastard, Robert the Bruce (Angus Macfadyen), undermining him.  Whether true or not, I’ll leave it to the historians, but it made for quite a compelling twist in what is a long, compelling film.  One that’s resonated with me ever since I took my friend’s word for it and sat down on the floor in front of the VCR and boob tube and actually gave Braveheart a chance.  I didn’t know anything about this movie before that summer afternoon.  In the scene, Robert the Bruce has determined that what he’s done to Wallace was wrong, so to make up for it, he decides to give a speech not nearly as atmospheric as Wallace’s speech earlier in the film.  Although a bit lame and a bit fascist, the speech riles up the Scots nonetheless.  Which leads us and me to the reason this scene makes 2011's final Favorite Scene:  watching the sword soar through the air while bagpipes, drums, flutes and other beautiful instruments blow, honk, and carry make us all want to run outside and beat the shit out of the closest oppressor we can find and at the dawn of the “year the world ends” I say ‘fuck that’ and rush those oppressing forces.  The soaring sword is a sign of life not yet lost.  A sign of freedom and wonder.  And a sign of what’s to come.  Happy New Year, Everyone, from all of us here at the Escape Hatch.  We’ve enjoyed and appreciated all the reads and comments and look forward to showing up with more bang for your buck in 2012 (and I promise, no scenes from that movie – I love ya, John Cusack, but no thanks).  Have a drink for us as we’ll have plenty for you.  Cheers!