Rating: Summary: One of the great epics of all time Review: From the opening scene, I knew that this was going to be an incredible movie. I wont't give away any plot twists, but the acting, directing, cinematography, and special effects were all top notch. it reminded me of Ben-Hur the most, and it's equally as good. Whether you own a dvd player or a vcr, this movie will look faboulous. I know all this has been said before, but I just wanted to get my piece in. I promise: at the very least, you will find this to be a rousing epic worth at least 2 trips to the rental store. Look for this at next year's Oscars/golden globes!
Rating: Summary: All emotions felt ! Wonderful. Review: As the true movie lover that I am, I can be very critical. This had everything for the above 18 crowd. I was impressed by Russell Crowe's proformance and Joaquin Phoenix pulled off an outstanding feat to make you both loathe and pity him at the same time. The story line is tried and true, and very effective. It made my heart race and my spirit soar.
Rating: Summary: "Do ya like gladiator movies?" Well, I sure do now. Review: Ridley Scott, long absent from the Halls of Great Film-making (his last great films were Blade Runner and Alien), at last returns to the fore with Gladiator, an epic tale of vengeance, betrayal, politics, and honor. Rife with battle, both inside and out of the Colosseum, Scott's film well explores the brute power and fickle sway of the mob mentality.Russell Crowe is the sternly essayed Maximus, a deposed general cast into the bloody world of the gladiator. He yearns to join his slain wife and child in the Elysian Fields of an idyllic afterlife, but when the opportunity emerges to avenge them upon he who commanded their slaughter, Maximus plays his part to abide in this world a little longer. In a bit of sardonic humour, he becomes a suicidal gladiator with a mission that requires him to live. Joaquin Phoenix struts and whines as the spoiled Commodus, Rome's latest incarnation of deity (for so the Roman emperors were declared to be). He seeks to win the favour of the masses, but his despotic habits would seem to intervene. In Maximus, he finds his greatest enemy and is constantly thwarted in his efforts to kill or disaffect the crowd's pleasure in the rugged gladiator. While establishing several currents, one of Gladiator's chief themes is the symbiotic relation between the Colosseum's mob and those who would seek its favour. It never becomes quite clear whether it is the masses who rule the gladiators or the gladiators who rule the masses. And more amazing is the fact that Scott's deft filmwork so immerses the audience into the flavor of the screen that the audience becomes in a very real sense, one with the mob. It feels the excitement when they do. It cringes when they do. It roots for its favorite just as they do. This disturbing reality so intrigued me that I could not help noticing similarities between the Colosseum and Hollywood itself: two dynamic monstrosities which both feed and are fed by their audiences' bottomless appetites. Technically, Gladiator is a wonder to behold. Frenetic camerawork and editing emphasize the surreal - though blistering - pace of battle. Strange filters and time-lapse photography during Maximus' afterlife-reveries are fantastic and recall similar practice in Joan of Arc's visions in Luc Besson's The Messenger and even in the whole unreal experience of David O. Russell's Three Kings. The use of computer-generated imaging is truly spectacular (and almost flawless) and this kind of movie couldn't have been accomplished without it. The acting comes in fine form (Crowe stands out especially) and the story itself (though a historical mockery) is taut and keeps a largely rapt audience for the duration.
Rating: Summary: cor blimey! Review: absolutely fantastic movie with very realistic war scenes and a good story. A bench mark in this type of period movie-Ridley Scott is a genius! and Russell Crowe - COR BLIMEY!
Rating: Summary: One Good Man Review: The movie "Gladiator" was a great movie it told a story about a man named Maximus who was giving the option to become the king of Rome. Before Maximas is able to make his decision Commodus the king son kills his farther, Maximas family, and tries to kill Maximas too. Maximas hides his identity by becoming a slave and a gladiator. At the end Maximas comes back to Rome and take revenge of the death of his family by killing Commodus. This was a great movie with tons of action and drama I would recommend this movie to everyone who wants to watch a heart pounding action movie. If I was you I would not only watch this movie but bye it too.
Rating: Summary: When in Rome... Review: Here it is, "Sparticus" brought current with state of the art film making technology. For a long time, I was resisting this film because I generally don't like movies that have gratituous and graphic violence. However, I am glad that I made the investment. I enjoyed this film because there is so much more here than the fights in the ring (though those said fights are well done, seem realistic, and are thrilling to watch.) Basically, this film is about the beginning of the end of Rome. The last of the benevolent Caesars (Marcus Aerilius (sp)) is murdered by his bloodthirsy son who cares more for bloody entertainment than governing his people. By this time, the Roman Senate is a figurehead. The plot centers on Maximus, the former general of the Caesar Marcus Aerilius, who becomes a slave gladiator after defying Commodus, and who vows revenge and later gets it. What makes the movie work is Crowe's excellent acting of this role, and the various subplots that provide a glimpse of how Rome may have been. The set design is fantastic as well, and this movie looks more like Rome than the other classic hollywood movies. They could have named this movie, "Sparticus Lite" for all of the elements of that film are there -- the training of the gladiators, (the training scenes are like Sparticus, including the winners being awarded with a woman for the evening.), brief allusions to the waning power of the Senate, the decadence of Rome, the basic theme itself of a gladiator inspiring the slaves to revolt (though this occurs in a more limited scale here in a plot to free Maximus towards the end of the film.) A big problem with this film is that its very nature seems to be a critique about taking pleasure from watching violence. (after all, in this world, people really died, unlike the movies where we know it's all smoke and mirrors. Watching these people die when you know that in the Roman world it was all for real, is a bit creepy.) Yet for a movie with this message the fight scenes are far too entertaining.
Rating: Summary: An original and good idea Review: Gladiator, starring Rusell Crowe is Rated R for the very realistic combat and war scences. When I went to see this movie I expected it to be violent(the titel says it all)but not as violent as it turned out to be. The story of a roman general who gets on the wrong side of the future emperor of rome, who has his son and wife killed as vengance and also tries to get Crowe(Maximus) killed, who escapes narrowly. And then comes to Romeas a Gladiator, to seek his vengance. I recommend you see this movie in the theatre because of some scense that need to be large. And also it is deffinetly rated R for a reason. In all, this is a good movie which could exellent if it hadn't been so very nasty at parts. If you don't care about seeing violence, and like suspensful action movies, I recommend Gladiator for ages 17 and up.
Rating: Summary: Wow ! What a Surprise! Review: My mother is the one who told me "You have GOT to see this film." And since I like historical films anyway, I thought okay, this will be like Sparticus or something. Well, it was phenomenal. Absolutely great! Not for the easily upset or squeamish mind you, and it does run a little long, so I look forward to it coming out on video/DVD, as running to the restroom is painful, as you don't want to leave this film for the 30 second dash to and from the restroom. Highly recommended for mature audiences only. This is too realistic for the little ones.
Rating: Summary: Hot [Darn!] Review: This is THE best film of 2000 period. This was the only true summer "blockbuster" (and MI2). And every movie I have seen since or before didn't have what Gladiator had. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix's performances were spell-binding and Connie Nielsen explodes into the big sreen in a break out role of a life time. The late Oliver Reed also turns in a wonderful performance as an ex-gladiator. Everything about this movie is wonderful. The acting, directing (Ridley Scott is a GENIUS!) the cinematography, the music, everything fits together perfectly to tell the story of Maxiums. I saw it twice and it was even better the second time (especially if you go to a theater with stadium seating and surround sound). The Academy had better not over look this epic (and clocking in at just under three hours, this is an epic) come february.
Rating: Summary: Gladiator kills all! Review: This 2 DVD special Edition set for release on 11/21 features DD 5.1 and DTS 6.1 audio, anamorphic widescreen, audio commentary with Ridley Scott, a number of making of featurettes, interview with composer Hans Zimmer, Visual EFX featurette, a tribute to the late Oliver Reed, deleted scenes with a Ridley Scott commentary, a 7 minute deleted scene montage with special score by Hans Zimmer, and more!
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