Rating: 
Summary: Hardly the Best
Review: Okay, no. This is not the "greatest movie ever made", nor is it anywhere up there with a "movie of the year!" This was an average movie plagued with clichés and themes already covered by better films.
I loved the first battle scene. It was beautiful, despite the death and destruction taking place. However, once that scene is over, the movie takes a steady nose-dive through the rest of the film. From the death of his wife, the gladiator imprisonment and "Spartacus-esque" training sequences, the villains idiotic decision that taking on the most successful gladiator in Rome could be a good idea (not to mention he's got the jones for his sister), right down to the "I've seen that so many times before!" ending, there wasn't really an original idea in the whole picture. Top that off with what literally looks like dirt and dust the director forgot to wash off the film reel, and you get a ho-hum movie that's probably only worth watching for the fight scenes.
Rating: 
Summary: Good movie, but lacking...
Review: I gave this movie 3 stars; only because I reserve 4 & 5 stars for movies that really blow me away like American Beauty or The Matrix. Gladiator was a generally good movie that could have been better. I saw two major problems: Action filming style and number of sentimental moments. The action scenes were shot at two close a range and in most of the battle scenes used blurring affects that detracted from the viewers immersement; outweighing any artsy motivation. Toward the middle and end of the movie more of the action was seen from a distance; but often cut from one strike to another making it hard to realize the choreographing. About the sentimental moments; the acting was wonderful and did pull on those heartstrings. My complaint is that there were just too many of those "Powerful" moments instead of building to a few main moments. Quick note: Scenery and costumes were excellent and gave you an idea of the "Glory of Rome" might have looked like. All in all, I'm glad I saw it and enjoyed it - but wish I had rented it and not bought it first.
Rating: 
Summary: The best Roman era movie ever made
Review: Watching this movie in the theatre inspired me to take an impromptu trip to Rome, and seeing it again on DVD just reinforced what a tremendous movie it is. There are excellent performances by Russell Crowe, Oliver Reed and Richard Harris to compliment a strong screenplay and a beautiful score. The character of Maximus is surprisingly well developed in a subtle and very satisfying way; his relationship with his family and the grief he suffers over them is better developed in a few minutes than many movies manage in hours (The Patriot comes readily to mind). Every shot is beautiful, and the movie does a wonderful job of recreating the feel of the period, with wonderful recreations not just of Rome but of the Roman world. Throw in a jaw-dropping opening battle that stands as one of the great movie openings of all time (and is the first movie to accurately recreate a Roman fortified camp) and you have a fantastic movie. Evidently I'm not alone in thinking so, as when I was at the Colisseum, every tour guide I overheard was fielding questions about how accurate the scenes were in Gladiator. I can't think of any higher praise than that.
Rating:
Summary: Super movie, and great extra features
Review: The movie is great, but even better--only on DVD--are the extra features. You'll especially like the historical short, which draws on real scholarship (not just moviemaking) about gladiators and their life, and the commentaries. Outstanding!
Rating:
Summary: Destined to become an epic
Review: Russell Crowe, along with Joaquin Phoenix give an outstanding performance worthy of an Oscar nomination and destined to become one of the greatest epic depiction of one mans honor and strength versus the cowardly and deceptive self appointed emperor of Rome. Director Ridley Scott did a wonderful job of telling this fabulous story. The first battle scene of the movie, where Rome is ready to end it's long battle and defeat and concur Germania is absolutely beautiful. Mr. Scott leaves you is aw as the archers launch hundreds of flaming arrows through the sky on that cold winter dawn. It was one of the most beautiful scenes of this movie. The presence of leadership in Russell Crows character as well as his love for his family is definitely felt through out the entire film. Ridley Scotts' performance in selecting Hans Zimmer as the composer of the score for this film must be commended. Music is definitely one of the most important keys in the telling of any story. Hans Zimmer has composed for many films, but the music in this particular movie touches the audience and completes the task the director set out to do. The audience will absolutely loose them selves in this fantastic story. I rated this film with five stars for many reasons. The cinematography, the music, the story line, and the acting. I am completely satisfied. If you are a fan of Mel Gibsons "Brave Heart" you will not want to miss this movie. I truly believe that if after seeing a movie, if I posses a desire to learn more about actual events similar to those in the film, than the director has done an excellent job and deserves all the recognition in world. If you haven't seen this movie, take a chance, you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator: An excellent movie and a must get, but .......
Review: This movie has it all (strong characters, action, revenge, and cool computer animation)! I couldn't wait for this film to come out on DVD. When I finally received my copy I was disappointed when my DVD player couldn't play it! I have talked to other DVD owners and they have had some problems also with certain disks including this one. I wish everything will get rectified soon, because this movie is too good to miss out on.
Rating:
Summary: Did we watch the same movie?
Review: Five stars? I was greatly disappointed with "Gladiator". I'm an enthusiast of historical dramas and had heard that it was far better than the summer's other blockbuster, "The Patriot". I quite disagree. The most glaringly offensive part of this movie was the schizophrenic camera-work, shifting from regular-speed to slow-motion to un-naturally fast in the space of a few seconds, I suppose it was intended to create a moment of drama, but simply ended up looking ridiculous. Likewise many, many shots (particularly in the opening battle scene) were laughably apparent as blue-screens. It had the feel of a B action movie sloppily gilt in gold. Russell Crowe shows an astonishing lack of ability to act (and a horrifyingly hairy NECK?) Fortunately, everyone else in the film gathers up his slack, which is why I gave the three stars I did. There are a few beautiful scenes such as the fantasy/dream sequences, and the rain of flower petals into the center of the Coliseum. The costumes are stunningly beautiful and I hope they earn Oscar recognition; I have no idea if they are accurate or not. Why were there so many shots of Maximus's dog in the opening battle? Every first-year film student knows that you only give focus to scenes or objects of importance in the story; apparently this director forgot because it's not explained during the scene or anytime later on. Between scenes of Maximus single-handedly slaughtering dozens of armed men, we're dragged through a slow, boring story; although we are rewarded with an interesting (if wholly predictable) final scene. Yawn. I'll keep "The Patriot", thanks.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator's Maximus is Awesome-mus!
Review: Gladiator is an awesome movie. I saw it in the theatre first, and sat in the first row with my wife and we were completely overwhelmed by the action and plot. I bought the DVD, and the experience is similar at home with a good home theatre system. The movie doesn't fall into a typical category. I've read other reviews and editorials, and sure, it's a guy-flick. There is so much action it makes Braveheart look like a sensitive drama or documentary. And sure, it's a sandal-and-sword Roman gladiator movie. And sure, I've read the reviews saying the action is World Wrestling Federation-like...although I disagree with this characterization completely. But the movie doesn't fall neatly into any of these categories for me, and I'll tell you why --My wife like the movie, and action movies are not typically her style. Russel Crowe is good and bound for greatness. And the directing is spectacular. Everyone who asks me about movies I say "Have you seen Gladiator?". If they haven't, I tell them to go see it. If they have seen it, we chat about what a great movie it was and our favorite scenes, and then discuss other movies, but only after a good rave about Gladiator. I couldn't believe that this isn't considered the best movie of the year. If you missed it in the theater, you owe it to yourself to get the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: overrated
Review: I feel this movie is overrated. Sure the graphic and sound are good. However this movie has no story line. They spent too much money on the clothes and the set to make it look "realistic" that they over-do it. Perhaps that's why they didn't have any money left for a real plot. The actor isn't suck, but any other actor could have played the role the same. There's nothing great here about this guy's acting. See it for what it is: good fighting scenes.
Rating:
Summary: Big Budget Bomb
Review: I thought "Gladiator" was remarkably uncompelling. The much ado about its CGI effects only made everyone think virtually every scene was computer generated. The effects themselves look totally unreal and strangely prototypical, as if they hadn't quite figured it all out yet. And the DVD is reverently packaged like everyone involved was confident they'd made a masterpiece. They didn't. And the last shot of Russell Crowe walking toward his wife and son reminded me uncomfortably of that idiotic walk into the clouds at the end of another preposterous Roman epic,'The Robe.' Kubrick's 'Spartacus' is nearly 40 years old, but it's infinitely more advanced than 'Gladiator.'
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