Sons of Liberty, Part I: A Review
If the makers of Assassin's Creed ever produced a movie, it would look like the History Channel's Sons of Liberty miniseries. The show isn't high on historical accuracy and from inception was marketed as a fictional retelling of America's founding - so there's no point in scolding the show for its historical transgressions (I'd be here all day). If it serves as a jumping off point in inspiring people to learn more about the actual story of America's War of Independence, terrific; but please, don't take it as gospel.
Beginning in the opening scene, when Sam Adams (a dreamy Ben Barnes) parkours his way along the rooftops of colonial Boston to escape British troops, you know you're in store for a tall-tale. The series kicks off in 1765, as colonial fury over British taxation is heating up. What follows is two hours of rioting colonists, devious smugglers, and British soldiers wantonly trashing houses and rampaging around town searching for townsfolk to beat up - those bastards!
The plot centers around Sam Adams and his transition from drunken rabble rouser to full fledged revolutionary. Along the way, others will join him - like his cousin John Adams (Henry Thomas), Dr. Joseph Warren (Ryan Eggold), John Hancock (Rafe Spall) and Paul Revere (Michael Raymond-James).
As a popcorn flick I'll give it a middling review. The premiere episode was this past Sunday and it continues tonight and tomorrow. I'll stick around and see what happens - maybe we'll get to see George Washington choke slam King George III.