SET IN ROMAN TIMES A BANISHED ROMAN GENERAL FIGHTS HIS WAY BACK AS A GLADIATOR. THE ONLY POWER STRONGER THAN THE EMPEROR IS THE GREATEST HERO IN ALL THE EMPIRE.A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say, Titanic, it’s an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you’re not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero. Gladiator‘s plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately “classical”), but it’s all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind–believe it or not–Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe’s nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he’s damning Maximus’s popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott’s visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it’s Crowe’s star power that will keep you in thrall–he’s a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! –Mark Englehart
Stills from Gladiator (Click for larger image)
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Buy “Gladiator “ For Only $9.75
March 8, 2006
#1
I thought this was the most boring movie I had ever seen. I fell asleep to it twice. It seemed to move at the pace of 2 miles per hour. I defintely do not recommend this film.
March 8, 2006
#2
Gladitar is my most hated movie. Especially the fact that it is over 3 hours long. The DVD features are good the movie isnt and even with the features it isnt worth the money avoid this one!
March 9, 2006
#3
I don’t understand why this won Oscars, or why people think this is good. It had one great scene: the chariot battle in the Colleseum. That’s really the only thing worth seeing in this entire film. Russel Crowe’s “character”, Maximus screams Braveheart in a Roman guise. It was overmelodramatic, the music was bad, and the cinematics was worse.
. If they changed the “acting” for Crowe, why not change the character into an Englishman, or something….calling him “The Spaniard” all the time made me laugh when I watched the movie.
Russel Crowe is no actor, he reminds me of Marlon Brando in Street Car Named Desire. All he does is bellow….yay. He was not even close to Heroic. Though, he’s a little bit better than Mel Gibson or Brando in those chosen films.
It really would have been Braveheart, had they forced Russel Crowe to speak Spanish….
This film reeked and I’m glad I never had the urge to buy the DVD, or see ANY Crowe’s movies; although I was forced to watch Master And Commander as rental…and it was all right, if you liked sea-faring movies with big special effects.
‘-20 on the Rating Scale of Pukedom.
March 9, 2006
#4
I just got to tell you that I was just bored to tears watching this long and stupid movie. This one doesn’t earn the rights for an Academy Award
March 9, 2006
#5
In one scene early in the movie, General Maximus (Russell Crowe) is a prisoner who is about to be executed. He is kneeling, with his hands securely bound. His executioner stands behind him with his sword-point on his neck, about to sever his spine. The next instant Crowe is on his feet, sword in-hand and with both hands free. What utter nonsense!!! The only reality in Hollywood today is that today’s movies have none. This movie, like most today, is annoyingly unrealistic. How can one possibly be “entertained” by such mindless garbage?
In another scene, the Emperor (Joaquin Phoenix) tells Maximus that before his soldiers murdered his wife they raped her repeatedly, and she begged them for more. Today’s Hollywood loves to wallow in such filth! I do not, and I sincerely hope you don’t either.
In short, this movie insulted my intelligence and assaulted my conscience, which is why I am giving it one star. Frankly, much of it doesn’t deserve that.
BTW, I fully expect the negative responses to this review to outnumber positive responses seven to one, which is yet another indication of the serious trouble our culture, and our country, are in today.