Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: I am the Gladiator!
Review: This movie is wonderful and informative too! I do not see any where why the rating is R when there is sleezy sexual content being passes as PG-13. The worst in this movie could possibly by the fight with the tigers? I think that is a shame for trying to keep a true history away from the minors is a complete shame! I am a 15 year old and feel this is a great movie while being informative at the same time. Be sure to share this wonderful work with your child as my father did with me! I am sure your son or daughter would appreciate it.

Rating:
Summary: An Awesome Film
Review: I saw this film the day it opened and knew as soon as the credits rolled that I must and had to see it again.(which I did, 4 times in all) The costums, the music, the computer graphics in recreating ancient Rome were spectacular. The acting in it also was sensational. Aussie, Russel Crowe proved himself to be an outstanding actor, and Ridley Scott an amazing epic movie director. For anyone who has not seen this movie. YOU MUST. It should not be missed.

Rating:
Summary: 'Unleash Hell'
Review: This movie is nothing short of magnificent. It captures both 'the glory that was Rome' as well as the relationship between a fighting commander and his troops, both used to hardship and victory, and attempting to finish the job and go home.

This is also undoubtedly the best movie I have ever seen. It is reminiscent of the spectacles of the late 50s and early 60s, such as Ben Hur, El Cid, and 55 Days at Peking, but much more intense and certainly more realistic.

The characters are greater than life, such as Maximus (Russell Crowe), the Roman general who was like a son to the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (masterfully played by veteran Irish actor Richard Harris, whose facial expressions tell more than his diaglogue), and who was betrayed by Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Marcus' feckless son, who 'was not a moral man.'

Director Ridley Scott has captured many things in this film: the timeless relationship between veteran soldiers and their commanders, Rome in its last spurt of greatness, evil and corruption of the Roman upper classes, the seeming hopelessness of good being overcome by evil, innocence of the young, and the recurring theme that evil will fluorish if good men do nothing.

Lavishly filmed, and with better special effects than either Titanic or last year's Star Wars Episode One, it shows the Rome that may have been, with all the dirt, grit, and corruption that never showed up in the other epic films about Rome and its Empire.

Music is also superb, and undoubtedly brings out the violent action of the film, from rousing fighting in the Coliseum to savage combat on the Danube frontier between the indomitable Legions and the German barbarians.

Lastly, this was Oliver Reed's last film. Remembered for his portrayal of the one of the Three Musketeers in the mid-70s and in the film Oliver, he is superb here, dying of a heart attack while the movie was being filmed. The final product is a tribute both to him and his ability in front of the camera.

This is a film for the ages. It covers valor, cowardice, loyalty, love, hate, betrayal, and brings it in a story that is enthralling, exciting, and relevant to modern times. The Director and cast, and the rest that contributed are to be congratulated. If Scott, Crowe, the movie itself, cinematography and music are not awarded with Oscars by the Academy this year, it will be a great injustice. I saw it five times on the big screen and enjoyed it every time. Quite simply, it is superb.

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator is the ultimate chic flick!
Review: I reluctantly went to this movie (it was my husbands turn to pick) because it looked like a sweaty guy movie. Oh my! I have seen this movie in the theater 5 times without my husband, and will watch it in my home a thousand more times. Everything about it was captivating--from the cinematography to the music, to the story, to the acting--especially to Russell Crowe. Go ahead and order the movie. You and the women in your family will not be disappointed.

Rating:
Summary: G'day mates, I'm the Gladiator.
Review: This is going to be the first big hit of the spring/summer movie season. It has all the makings. Action, intrigue, romance, huge battle scenes, betrayal, vengence, and death.This was a good one. Had a great cast. Russel Crowe played Maximus. A general, turned prisoner, turned slave, turned gladiator, turned hero of the Roman Empire. Richard Harris played the Roman Empereor whom Maximus was a general under, and who was like the son, whom he wished his son was like. Joiquan Phoenix, played the Emperors son who killed his father when he found out his father was going to make Maximus Emperor instead of him, and then he orders Maximus killed.Maximus gets away, but not in time to save his wife and son from being murdered by the same men he had been in control of when he was General. He is sold into slavery, and becomes a Gladiator, and vows revevge on the new Emperor.Oliver Reed, in his final performance before his death, plays the owner of the Gladiators. He agrees to give Maximus his freedom, if he can get the crowds to love him and see him as a hero. This is how Maximus keeps the Emperor from killing him. The Emperor will not kill him since he is so loved, 'cause that would make Maximus a martyr, so he has to find a way for the people to either hate him, or have him die "fairly" in the Gladiator ring. That's all I'm going to tell about the story, because I don't want to give anything away. This is one you need to see in the theater. This picture is great.THE GOODThe acting, the sets, the cinemetography, the battle at the beginning was excellent, the fight scenes, the ending.THE BADNothing, though some people may not like the length. But as I have said before, you're getting more for your money.THE BOTTOM LINEGreat movie. Go see at least once if not more. And definitely see it at least once in the theater. The sets, and everything deserve to be watched on the big screen. This is one both men and women can enjoy. There are elements for both genders.I most definitely give this one an A+.

Rating:
Summary: "What we do in life, echoes an eternity"
Review: I've taken the time and gone through all the reviews of this film, and for the most part, their all great. But some are by far measures taken to be different. Now if you didn't like the film, than fine, that's your opinion. We're all entitled to that. But first know what your talking about before you verbally bash something unknown to the context of your mind.

My review of the film is simply this: an unmistaken masterpiece. Why? first off, the acting is worthy of the salaries paid, particularly Crowe, Pheniox, Richard Harris as Marcus Aurilius, and Connie Nielson as the troubled sister. The emotion between young Commodus and Maximus is completely different, as their characters are DIFFERENT! Hence, one will act different in given situations.

Second, Ridley Scott's direction is spot on perfect, balancing the importance of storytelling with eye-popping spectacle. Some people have forgotten that this is the man who brought us THELMA & LOUISE, and is only capable of ALIEN or BLADE RUNNER. This is not true. His use of visuals to convey an emotion put him in a category with Hollywood's greatest.

Third, John Mathieson's cinematography is near flawless for the effect intended. Some reviews attack he and Scott of 'stealing' from SAVING PRIVATE RYAN, because of the look of the battle scenes. Well, when a new form of sneaker comes onto the market, is it now safe to say that everyone who buys it 'steals' from the last. No. This system is called an Image Shaker, and it was also used in ANY GIVEN SUNDAY. And resetting the shutter speed on the camera has been used for years, just not to the great effect in PRIVATE RYAN.

Lastly, the storytelling may not be accurate, but who the hell cares? Really, does it bother you that much that someone has creatively changed the use of history? History is what it is, it's not going anywhere. Don't bash the historical accuracy of the film, if anything at all, bash the film itself. Does the film work with what it uses? Then let it be. The script is tight, and taught, and chock full of emotion, never confusing the moment.

Oliver Reed, a character actor from the 60's and 70's, who passed away while shooting, has done some of the best work of his career here. Yet nary a person mentions this, only daunting a film that deserves it's praise.

I could quote several catch phrases, but I'm not going to. Take what you will from this, I personally loved the film, and will buy it on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Good movie but no comparison to BRAVEHEART
Review: Good movie. Good fight scene but short and also changes angle so much that you really can't enjoy the fight scene. Second, the female characters in Braveheart is a class above the lame duck(s) in Gladiator. Why would an empeoror even want to bed his average looking sister when there's so many knockouts in Rome?

Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of 2000!
Review: I know it's a bold statement, but just watch Gladiator and try to disagree that this isn't the best movie of the year. I just hope that the Academy doesn't have their heads up their "you know where" when Oscar time comes around. The acting is top quality, the story is great, and the score is Hans Zimmer's best to date! Original and haunting at the same time. The tension and suspence are timed perfect with the pace of the film. And lets not forget the the visual aspect of this film. Amazing is a good description! Kudos to the Director of Photography. If you haven't seen this movie, then rent or buy the DVD and experience it the way it was intended.

Rating:
Summary: Amazing!
Review: This is the best movie I've ever seen. It's one of those three hour movies that seems like it's an hour long and you're disappointed that it has to end so soon. There is never a dull moment thanks to the outstanding direction of Ridley Scott. The cinematography is equally amazing as is the performance of Russell Crowe. The story is rivetting, thrilling, captivating - yet plausible. It has all the ingredients of the perfect guy movie: a villian that you develop a seething hatred for, and a hero with such courage, strength and conviction that you can't help but feel his every pain, share his every emotion, and admir... him. I was so impressed by the movie I had to go back in the theatre and watch the very next showing.

Rating:
Summary: Hail the greatest movie ever!
Review: Gladiator is certainly the greatest movie ever made. It is up there with Braveheart. In terms of blood, gore, decapitations and those things, Braveheart is better. But, Gladiator is a much better movie all around. It has a very strong story line and very talented actors. If you see only one movie in your lifetime, see GLADIATOR!