Rating: 
Summary: THERE WAS A DREAM THAT WAS ROME
Review: SIMPLY ONE OF THE BEST FILMS EVER. I GROW TIRED OF CRITICS WHO PAN FILMS LIKE THIS BASED ON THEIR HISTORICAL ACCURACY. IT'S A MOVIE PEOPLE. ENJOY IT FOR WHAT IT IS. RUSSELL CROWE TURNS IN A SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE. EVERY GLANCE AND LOOK TELLS THE AUDIENCE THAT THIS IS AN ACTOR IN A PART THAT WAS MADE FOR HIM. WONDERFUL SOUNDTRACK FROM HANS ZIMMER AND BEAUTIFUL VOCALS BY THE SINGER OF THE DEAD CAN DANCE AND YOU HAVE A MOVIE THAT BEATS THE CRAP OUT OF LAUDED OSCAR CONTENDERS LIKE ERIN BROKOVITCH AND PAY IT FORWARD. LEADS IN ACTION MOVIES RARELY GET THE OSCAR NOD BUT CROWE SURELY DESERVES IT. ROMA VICTA!!!
Rating:
Summary: Monumental! A Truly Epic Achievement
Review: Gladiator is everything that a modern epic film should be. This film is a towering triumph that will not soon be forgotten. It features a very well-written script, amazing visuals, incredible moments of both action and drama, as well as absolutely stellar acting performances from the entire cast. Russell Crowe established himself as one of the best actors in the world today, with his commanding and emotionally powerful portrayal of Maximus, who is a hero in every sense of the term. Crowe deserves every accolade that he gets for his marvelous performance, which was by far one of the most commanding and heartfelt performances I have ever seen in a movie. Crowe's work in The Insider and L.A. Confidential made him a legitimate star, while his role in Gladiator cemented his position as one of the most prominent leading actors in Hollywood today. Crowe, an avid horseback rider, even did many of his own stunts in the movie. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a breakthrough performance as Commodus, the emotionally conflicted son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, played by veteran actor Richard Harris. Phoenix's performance demands sympathy as well as hatred from the viewer, with gripping emotions as well as an ever-present sense of jealousy and spite. The late, great Oliver Reed(who died shortly before filming wrapped), put the finishing touch on a storied career with his performance as Proximo, the slave ower who helps Maximus regain his freedom. Connie Nielsen, a relative newcomer, also delivers an excellent performance as Commodus' older and wiser sister, who has had previous involvement with Maximus. The visuals in this movie are absolutely stunning, as ancient Rome is brought to life like never before with some absolutely amazing computer-generated visuals, as well as painstakingly crafted sets. Scenes of battle in this movie are graphic but never overindulgent, and convey a sense of the brutality that must have existed during this time. This movie is grand in both story and scale, and visuals serve to reinforce the strong acting by providing an unbelievable backdrop for the story. Ridley Scott, who is a master of skillful character filming, does not disappoint in what many people consider his finest film to date, as his skillful camera work gives a deep insight into the emotions of every character in the film. Gladiator is truly an epic achievement. Dreamworks did an excellent job with the Gladiator DVD, with some of the cleanest audio and video transfers I have seen on the DVD format. This movie was meant to be watched on DVD as the enhanced picture and sound really serve to heighten the experience of watching this movie. The DVD also contains nearly 4 (yes, four) hours of bonus materials including 30 minutes of deleted scenes, an HBO first look special, several commentaries, as well as a 50 minute documentary from the Learning Channel called: Bloodsport of a Gladiator, which examines the lives of actual Gladiators in ancient Rome. The inclusion of a journal by young actor Spencer Treat Williams, (who plays Lucius, the eventual heir to the throne of Rome)is n especially welcome addition. The DVD actually devotes a second disc solely to the special features. The Bottom Line is this: Gladiator is a true modern epic, one of the best films ever made. It features incredible acting, a gripping storyline, and absolutlely stunning visuals. This movie is a must-have for any DVD collection. Movies just don't get much better than this.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie You Can See
Review: I saw Gladator is spring. This movie was not over-rated to the smallest bit. It had EXELLENT graphics, sound and good actors. Rome looks very real. The movie is violent, but it is also(in a way, i didnt cry) sad. The music went perfectly with the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Braveheart VS Gladiator, a dead heat..
Review: I never thought I'd see a movie as good as Braveheart. But Gladiator is just as good if not better. I bought the DVD today at Best Buy for $14.99 (los angeles). The first time I saw this movie was at the movie theatre. No other movie, especially one as long as Gladiator, has held my attention by the second. I sat on the edge of my seat throughout. My girlfriend liked the movie, however, not as much as me. Go figure, I don't picture this movie to be a "chick flick" anyway.This movie is well worth the price. I would have spent more if I had to.
Rating:
Summary: Worth it just for the 7 minute montage of missing scenes
Review: Well worth the money. There are 25 minutes of deleted scenes, but the best part is the 7 minutes set to music of unused footage. You'll see why. I don't want to spoil it for you.
Rating:
Summary: "What you do in life, echoes in eternity."
Review: Gladiator is my first ever DVD, and I can't think of a better way to start "DVDing". The soundtrack happens to be also my favorite CD, with memorable songs that complement perfectly the feel of the movie. The movie starts off in 180 A.D., in the finale of the wars in Germania. Russell Crowe is Maximus, the legendary General who wins the war for Rome and its caesar, Marcus Aurelius. Aurelius is old and has to choose a heir to the throne; but, instead of choosing his own son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix in an excellent performance) he decides to elect Maximus as his succesor. This isn't seen well, obviously, by Commodus, who kills his father before he's made his decision public (Maximus had made it clear that he would refuse, anyway) and proclaimes himself new Emperor of Rome. Maximus doesn't support this new Imperator, and Commodus orders him and his family to be killed. The attempt on Maximus fails (else we wouldn't have a story), but his family's killed, and he vows revenge. After burying his wife and son, he's so beaten that a group of slave traders easily captures him, converting him subsequently into a gladiator. His combat skills are so good, he soon becomes a superstar among gladiators and is sent back to Rome, to fight in the Coloseum. He's in Rome, so is the Emperor...you can imagine what comes next. Although the movie's a little too novelesque at times, its all done so well that you can't do anything but like this movie. The bonus features of this DVD will entertain you on their own, even without the movie itself. All in all, its a great buy.
Rating:
Summary: A little addition up on Crowe
Review: Gladiator was an excellent movie, definitely timeless. Crowe carries the show on square shoulders. The rise and fall of a powerful man, a man in his humility and a man set in his want of vengeance. I would like to point out that Crowe is at this point in more than 20 films (I read a review that said 4 or 5) though his first noteworthy in the US was in 92 with 'Romper Stomper'. The rest of the cast does quite well. Joaquin Phoenix does a great job as the loathesome Commodus, at times when I saw it in the theatre he actually had people booing him or calling him a 'wuss' out loud but it was by no means against his acting in the movie, it was playing his character to the hilt. The action scenes are done very well especially in the gladiatorial arenas. I felt the first war scene in the movie was a bit to choppy and moved around a bit too much. Still, I found myself tensed up and having to remember to relax, it is a movie after all. The computer visuals add to the great action. The dawns in Rome are magnificently done, the costumes well made and each 'gift' the movie, such as Maximus' gladiator armor, is delivered with a strong background to it. Sure to be an epic classic.
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Summary: No VHS Sale of Gladiator Betrays Its Own Values
Review: To be honest I was shocked and then disturbed when I read that the critically acclaimed Gladiator would be for sale on VHS for $111 dollars. Don't get me wrong. DVD is the newest trend in movie technology, and I support its amazingly low price for two very valuable discs. However, most of us can't afford DVD, let alone the cost of a full-priced movie. I paid full-price for Gladiator when it first was released because I was so impressed with the trailer. I continued watching the movie, though, at the dollar theaters because seven times seven dollars would equal a smaller checking account. Besides, one of Gladiator's themes is that everyone deserves fairness and dignity, whether slave or free, white or black, man or woman. The enormous video price for this film insults this value, allowing the few to enjoy this film just in time for Christmas. We can do better than this; Maximus died for a nobler cause than movie sales. This is a film which needs to be enjoyed by everyone, on both VHS and DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator Kicks!!!!!
Review: From the beginning to the end of Gladiator, it is a true masterpiece of cinematic genius. Ridley Scott has outdone himself again. If you're a big fan of Epic movies you will NOT be disappointed with this movie. The visuals are stunning and action sequences are awesome. There is actually a love story for the girlfriend and wives to stay glued to the screen. Russel Crowe is outstanding as Maximus, and the supporting cast is very good. The character development could have been deeper, but to squeeze as much as they did already into 3 hours was pretty spectacular. I'm looking forward to watching this movie over and over. I will buy an extra copy in case I burn a hole in DVD ;p
Rating:
Summary: An amazing movie!
Review: This movie was absolutely amazing. It has everything: eye-popping special-effects; a fast and exciting plot, interesting characters, and did I mention awesome special effects?
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