Rating: 
Summary: "My name is Gladiator......" A must see film
Review: I'll be honest, at the cinemas I avoided watching this film when it was first released because I am not into historic epical films. But soon my friends talked me into watching the film. This film I would recommend to anyone, if like me you watch a lot of movies or even just casual movie goer you'd be stupid to miss this film. Russel Crowe in one of his best performances. I bet Mel Gibson and Arnold Shwarzeneger feel stupid for turning down the part of Russel Crowe (I heard they were offered the part). I was surprised at the less talk and more action in this film, a lot of edge of seat fights and great performances all round. It is my best film of the year 2000. The dvd will be a treat with 2 disc edition, which every dvd collector should have in their collection.
Rating:
Summary: An epic like no other
Review: I worked for the most well-known entertainment company in the world, so I'm very familiar with the "formula" used in epics such as "Gladiator." Yet even with the knowledge of how it would follow the peaks and valleys of a pre-determined storyline, it was still an amazing movie. I watched it 3 times in the first week of its release (in the theaters) and I bought several copies of the DVD for family and friends. Watch this movie uninterrupted, without distraction, and on the biggest screen you can access. Among the best movies of all time...
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Summary: Maximus, Maximus, Maximus....
Review: Simply phenomenal. I saw it 5 times in the theater (huge screen, great surround sound). Russell Crowe grabs you by the throat in the opening scene, and doesn't let go until Lucilla has him carried out of the coliseum. Phoenix is fabulous, Nielsen is beautiful, and a fine actress. I can't wait for the video.
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Summary: A Trimuphant Epic
Review: I saw this film on my 19th birthday, and felt a ticket to thisd movie was the best present my parents could've afforded to give me. The movie opens with a dramatic scene where the Romans are battling the Germanic tribes in a forest clearing. Right away, you get the feeling that this movie excels in every way. Maximus, played by Russel Crowe, turns out to be a powerful general played by a talented young actor. The dialogue in this movie is great, too. How much better can you get than "At my signal, unleash hell."? I thought so. Joaquin Phoenix plays an evil, yet arrogant wuss of an empire. It was interesting to see the villain be a wimp rather then some alpha male. The battle scenes were nicely done, and the cinematography throughout the film was brilliantly executed. When you see the gladiators in all their armored glory, you'll wonder why this movie didn't have an action figure license. This is a great film for fans of Rome. Also, take a look at the British drama, "I, Claudius." That gem of a miniseries provides good entertainment as well. Derek Jacobi, who I think played Gracchus or something in Gladiator plays the title role in "I, Claudius."
Rating: 
Summary: Connie Neilson steals every scene
Review: Danish actress Connie Neilson steals virtually every scene she appears in, yet rarely makes the lead credits for this high-impact film. With some re-write, this film could have become a blockbuster like Titanic which appealed to both men and women.
Rating:
Summary: Notable... Especially thanks to the talented Mr. Crowe
Review: I saw this movie not knowing what to expect... A remake of a classic is almost always a disappointment. I was pleasantly surprised to see that this Gladiator stands on its own two feet quite well. Russell Crowe is appropriately meloncholy, and you can really cheer for his battle to regain the dignity taken from him.This movie may seem long by minutes, but the time flies. You'll be at the edge of your seat wondering how the players will resolve their conflicts until the last bittersweet moment. Definitely one of the best written movies of the year. ONE NOTE: There are some scenes during the gladiator matches that may make some squeamish, thought the director and editor have kept the gore to a minimum.
Rating: 
Summary: The epic that wasn't
Review: The popularity of Gladiator forces one to consider the sanity of the population. Very depressing. There is nothing in Gladiator, nothing in this sadly overrated film that inspires, engages, or excites. It's as if the writers merely trasported Braveheart to Rome, but left the passion behind. The dialogue, by three writers (David Franzoni, John Logan, and William Nicholson) and God knows how many other uncredited script doctors, seems to have been stolen from all the worst parts of a couple of hundred recent movies. It is dull, utterly dull. Which well describes Russell Crowe's performance. He is too brooding, too restrained to invoke anger or sympathy. Big mistake. Where's William Wallace when you need him? The battles? Terrible. They are edited too quickly, and remove you from the battlefield; the blows are never felt. Even the Roman military tactics are false (calvary charge through a forest??). Emperor Commodus (Joaquine Phoenix) is never a threat. There is no presense nor power in his performance. Big Mistake. [Director] Scott scores high marks for the films beautiful photography, sets and costumes. But these do not determine a films worth. Even the end is laughably dishonest: instead of having Crowe suffer a glorious execution, he is made to fight the emperor himself. You have got to be kidding. And worse, the foolish writers imply that the greatness of Rome shall return. HA! HA! God, I hate this film.
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Summary: Father to a murdered son...husband to a murdered wife...
Review: I'm so glad Hollywood is moving towards releasing DVDs so soon after the movie is released. In fact, you could probably still catch this movie at your local 24 screen theater (It's currently November 14th, 2000), and it's worth the theatrical experience. At any rate, although the movie is fairly long, you'll be on the edge of your seat for the vast majority of the movie. Crowe does a great job of looking mean, hurt, and angry whenever he has to. True, it's a little graphic, but you've got to expect that. Buy this movie, then if it's not too late, go watch it in the theaters.
Rating:
Summary: I Came, I Saw, It Conquered
Review: This epic film starring Russell Crowe is a powerful and emotional experience. Though the film is quite long, you lose track of time while watching and it passes like seconds, leaving you wanting more. Not only is the film interesting, it is also beautiful. The director uses images like Maximus' (Crowe) hand running over stalks of golden wheat and red flower petals falling from above in the arena to create a deeper meaning in scenes. Though it never really recieved a lot of attention, it deserves acclaim. You certainly can't go wrong with a film that combines heroism, survival, blood, and beauty. A must see film!
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Summary: Woohoo!
Review: I could not wait for Gladiator to come out, being a HUGE fan of Russell Crowe since I saw L.A. Confidential. I dragged a friend of mine with me to watch it because she had never seen one of his movies. Neither of us were dissappointed. The movie captivated me from the beginning action sequence. From there the movie just got better and better. This movie is definatley a movie for both sexes too: for the men you have the obvious action, and for the women you have well, Russell Crowe. Ridley Scott does a fantastic job directing this movie, bring ancient Rome back, forever immortalizing it. Joaquin Pheonix is great in this movie, playing the perfect bad guy. I hated his character just as much as Maximus does. The graphics of this movie are awesome, i can just see the Collisseum in all it glory and feel the awe the citiznes must have felt just looking at the city. As a person who took Latin and study Roman history, and watching tons of movies about this time period, I can honestly say that this by far teh best of out of all of them.
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