Based, as they say, on a compelling true story; and goosed with spectacular effects and topflight talent, "The Perfect Storm" still faces choppy box-office seas. That's because Mel Gibson's "The Patriot" plays "Storm" chaser this holiday weekend. Not only is this a rare case of colliding July 4 blockbusters, but "The Patriot" has three distinct advantages that may leave its competitor all wet: a Wednesday opening that should generate buzz going into opening weekend; more star wattage than the George Clooney vehicle; and an American Revolution plotline that dovetails quite nicely with traditional 4th of July festivities. The "Storm" troupers just have to hope their movie has sea legs, with strong word-of-mouth and critical acclaim helping it weather a tough opening and find smoother sailing in future weeks. The stirring tale of the Andrea Gail should keep bobbing along, but I'm with Reel.com's excellent columnist Jeffrey Wells, who predicts, "Mel Gibson is going to whup George Clooney's ass." Frank Sennett

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NONE TOO DEEP "The Perfect Storm"'s characters exist only as blue-collar ciphers, cardboard cutouts whose single purpose is to be soaked in brine WAVES OF FEAR "The Perfect Storm" wants to put salt water up your nose and maybe a tear in your eye PERFECTION "The Perfect Storm" is nearly a perfect film, from its bold and epic man-vs.-nature conflict to the breathless scripting, editing, acting and direction SURVIVAL INSTINCTS Wolfgang Petersen's cinematic re-creation of "the storm of the century" may not cause seasickness, but there is the distinct feeling of being trapped in a watery hell CAN "PATRIOT" & "STORM" SAVE SUMMER? Mel Gibson and George Clooney aren't just battling redcoats and nasty storms; they're also fighting a lagging summer box office HURRICANE GEORGE Clooney and company are out-acted by computer graphics in "The Perfect Storm" RIDERS ON THE STORM Unpretentious and awesomely confident, "The Perfect Storm" is easily Wolfgang Petersen's best film

MAN OVERBOARD A miscast George Clooney shackles the dramatic potential of "The Perfect Storm" BLOWOUT Take a deep breath before "The Perfect Storm" starts raging. You'll need it. SALT & SEASICKNESS Talking with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg about "The Perfect Storm" WATER WHIRL "The Perfect Storm" is a technical marvel swamped by a fishy script ALL HANDS ON DRECK "The Perfect Storm" blows RIDING THE STORM OUT Not since "Jaws" has a film caused viewers so much apprehension about taking their next dip in the ocean NOT SO PERFECT Enter "The Perfect Storm," a disastrous disaster movie, at your own risk GLUB, GLUB If "The Perfect Storm" proves anything, it's that, even with the best storm money can buy, ocean movies are really, really boring