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Summary: Timeless values shine through in a modern epic
Review: This is probably one of the best movies I have seen lately. After seeing it, it lets you wondering, full of wishful thinking and wanting for more. Although "Gladiator" is a movie where no expenditure was cut short, the true heart of it is the way it projects the timeless values of the betrayed, incredibly charismatic hero who fights until the end to avenge the death of his loved ones, with a past, unforgotten love lurking around all the time. We get a taste of life in Ancient Rome as well, with its vices and abuses and, above all, its "grandeur". The animations of Rome are so accurate, one almost regrets having missed it for 1800 years. Russell Crowe in the role of Maximus gives an award winning performance for which he will be remembered forever as the "actor of Gladiator". He gets deep into the emotions of Maximus, his character, showing us not only his bravery but also - and this is very important - his vulnerability. Moreover he has the gift of a fantastic, deep voice, which adds to the drama of the story and wraps it up spectacularly with a soundtrack that is both glorious at times as well as morose.The scenes are shot with great care and realism. The one with the tigers is fantastic; but I find the one where Maximus' rage has no limits and kills everyone in the arena by himself the most intense. After Russell Crowe's marvel of a performance I second Oliver Reed's and Richard Harris'. Both masters of their task, they also give award winning performances; Reed as the wise ex-gladiator who helps Maximus with his tactics; and Harris as the last Great Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Sadly, Oliver Reed passed away close to the end of the movie and the last scene in which he appears is an animation of his character. I commend everyone in this film, especially the director, Ridley Scott, for giving us the opportunity to enjoy an epic of timeless values in our modern world, so much devoid of them.
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Summary: If you want to see Russell Crow in his best movie...
Review: this is surely russell crows best work. This movie very much moved me in ways i can not describe.
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Summary: Gladiator - A Study in Personalities
Review: Too often Hollywood presents charachters that we don't get to understand and if we do we wish that we didn't. While the last Gladiator spectacle (Spartacus)was released some forty years ago both movies share development of charachters that interest us and make us want to know more. Most of the roles in Gladiator are interesting and in every case we want to know more about these people. The Director allows us to learn the good and bad of people. It is easy to like Crowe's charachter as he stands for most of what we would like to think is right with people: noble, honest, loyal, etc. The characterization of Phoenix in the Commodus role is powerful as while he is clearly not a good person we can feel his pain and his need to be accepted by both his Father and his People. That he turns to such violence when he does not receive that love and approval makes and the manner of the performance by Phoenix all the more special. It is always easy to hate a "bad guy" but the depth of the emotions generated by him makes us pity him as we might a wounded animal. A superb movie at all levels which really breaks new ground in the epic genre. A special salute to Hans Zimmer for one of the most exciting and thought provoking musical scores in years. Also to Oliver Reed in his final role. This movie is destined to become a classic and should do quite well at the Golden Globes and Oscars in 2001.
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Summary: Ultimately Flawed
Review: Gladiator, a most anticipated viewing experience, turned out to be one of my most disappointing. The movie, directed by the talented Ridley Scott, whose craft and visual style is one to be looked at in awe, is sadly a waste of a good director's talents and good performer's time. The movie makes use of many grisley effects, most of which are overly blatant, and meaningless. Whenever the gladiators fight, the blood flys everywhere, and the photography is highly jumpy and aggravating--it is very hard to keep track of all the action. Some of the footage appears to have even been sped up, I presume in an attempt to make the action look more exciting,however it only proves to make it all the more confusing. I felt like I was watching a cheap music video set to the film's soundtrack. As far as the actors are concerned, I felt they performed well. Although the film is highly short on dialouge, what lines that are spoken are delivered very well. Russell Crowe is a terrific talent, and he plays the grief stricked, revenge hungry Maximus with a great quality. It was hard to take my eyes off of him. I only wish that there was more for him to say. The makers of this motion picture did a fabulous job of bringing ancient Rome to the screen. The visual depictions of all of the Roman landscape amazing, and breathtaking. The movie's photography is very beautiful indeed, until the fighting starts. The action cuts too quickly, and the violence is a step past the gratuitous line. By the time I finsished the movie I had little or no desire to even watch the special features, for I no longer cared what was left out of the film. If the makers felt it needed to be cut from what they finally ended up with, then it does not deserve my time or attention, for the what made it to the screen as "Gladiator" was giant box office draw with no meat, no character developement, and far too much blood. If you're going to give us a bloody movie, Ridley, at least do it with some taste. The makers of other historical epics have achieved the same, it is a shame that the makers of Gladiator could not.
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Summary: This movie is hot
Review: Maximus (Russell Crowe) is the man! He's a cutie too. After the death of his emperor he went from a general to a slave to a gladiator. The movie is a little sad but, it had some good action scenes. It's kind of like Braveheart. If you liked braveheart you'll like this too. It has two disk one for the movie and one for the special features.
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Summary: Astonishing, Breathtaking...what more can I say?
Review: I am a long time fan of Roman history, I spent my years in highschool writing report after report on ancient civilizations and Rome has always been my favorite. I have seen cheap rip off movies on Rome and other ancient civ's and I have high expectations. Thus, going out and purchasing this movie was something I was very critical of. I missed the opportunity of going to see it at the theatre (either that or I did not want to sit for 2.5hours in a uncomfortable chair :) Anyway, I was amazed at the quality of the DVD. I am even more impressed that it is better quality then the theatre version. They fixed the colours and what not. The story itself was simply astonishing, it followed true Roman history and even incorporated various historical battles such as the remaking of the battle of carthage, which I thought to be a nice touch. Overall I was very, and still am very, impressed by this movie. I will end this now so I can go watch a few chapters over again.
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Summary: The Best of 2000!
Review: I thought this movie was incredible! I especially thought Russell Crowe (Maximus) and Jaoquin Phoenix (Emperor Commodus) did a spectacular job. I am studying Roman history in college and i thought this movie did a pretty good job of portraying life in the greatest empire of the ancient times. The plot is easy to understand and is nonetheless interesting. The only problem is that the movie is a little slow at getting to the point of the whole "Gladiaor" theme. It is definitely worthy of my five-stars and makes a great addition to anyone's collection of dvd's. The extra dvd with the Bonus materials is worth taking a look at as well...full of good behind the scenes "stuff" and information.
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Summary: What we do in life, echoes in eternity
Review: ...One phrase I loved from this movie. Gladiator is being underrated from my point of view. This is one of the best movies I have ever seen, comes in my top - 10, along with Bravehart, LA Confidential, Life is Beautiful, 12 Monkeys and others (just to give you a glance at my taste). Russel Crowe is awesome, someone said something about his "unconvincing" acting (the oven guy), and I'd like to inform this guy about something called: "style". All actors have it, and Crowe's style is definitly good. The plot is so interesting that you actually get into the movie, it has everything an "antique times action dramas" should: Love, War, Traicion, met feelings between the actors, etc..(though one thing I did found sick was Commodus hitting on his sister). Defintly worthy of the oscar nommination that I'm sure it'll get. I don't think Russel Crowe should've died though, I think that was a drama element the story didn't need. Also remarkable the costumes, and, of course, the 3D re-building of the Roman Colliseum. I believe this is the best movie of this year (the patriot is also good, just not that good).
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Summary: Well worth it!
Review: Although this movie isn't exact to Roman history it is still worth getting your hands on. Russell Crowe proves he has what it takes to become bigger in Hollywood. This is one of those movies that is perfect for DVD and surround sound, it almost seems that there are horses running through your living room. For Crowe fans, his acting is excellent and shows that he is capable of playing roles other than a cop....There is something about this movie that will make you keep putting in your player over and over again.
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Summary: Money Well Wasted
Review: If eye-candy is what you want, than this movie will deliver. Astounding special effects, amazing battle sequences, and a sense of enormity make this movie worth viewing once. Unfortunately, once is enough. This movie has all the devices set to draw you into the plot, but the acting and direction do not set the hooks deep enough to envoke the feelings of revenge and glory that the film so desperately tries to instill. In addition, the movie is way too long. Films with compelling plots like Braveheart can get away with 2 and 1/2 plus runtimes, but Gladiator could have been cut down by at least 1/3. If you're into the guts and glory, I reccomend you steer clear of this film and get a copy of Conan the Barbarian.
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