Rating: 
Summary: The most amazing movie of all time
Review: what can i say? this movie is so amazing I was left breathless by the end of it. This movie just blows away any competition which is hundreds of miles away at the best. Ben Her and "Fall of The Roman Empire" look like pathetic messes in comparison, and are also quite boring. To be fair though, i can see the directors vision in those movies but as far as it coming onto screen as something decent, those failures don't even do that. But gladiator on the other hand is a historical epic to top all historical epics. The acting is as fine in this movie than in any movie ever brought to the silver screen. The story is absolutely facinating. Russel Crow is the most uniqivically the best actor of alltime. I can't say enough about this movie, just go and buy it before you see it! You will be blown away.
Rating: 
Summary: It's good-- but not that good!
Review: Recognize the title of my review? It's a line from this film that sums it up in a nutshell-- good, but not that good.Now why is that so? It all depends on perspective. If you've never seen an epic from the classic era of Hollywood filmmaking, then this is probably the most innovative, breathtaking, and awesome film you have ever seen. And, indeed, Gladiator would deserve status as a great film *of all time* if it was the first film of its kind ever made. But guess what--? It isn't. And from one film lover to another, I'm telling you, if you were a lover of classic Roman/ biblical epics from the 50s and 60s and hope to immediately view this movie out of anticipation, you will be sorely disappointed like I was. This film is a retread of every single classic epic ever made. The opening scenes are straight out of "Fall of the Roman Empire," the sister/ brother subplot that everyone drooled and squealed over is *exactly* the same one taken from "El Cid" (as is the ending). The arena scenes are from the classic, still yet unmatched chariot scene from "Ben Hur." The plot of simpering, angry, crazed young son (Commodus) passed over for the throne for "blood brother" is the plot from "The Ten Commandments." The basic theme of "enslaved man forced against his will to fight his bretheren, disgusted by it all" is straight out of "Spartacus." Even the characters are the same. There's a wise bald African to befriend Maximus here, just as there was a wise, bald African man to befriend Spartacus. Jacobi's Graccus is basically the same as Laughton's character in "Spartacus." So there's nothing new here. In fact, if you have seen those movies and see this one for the first time, you will even know what will happen as the plot goes along; it's that derivative. Other problems-- the plot is not that sophisticated or compelling, and the characters lack depth. Also, unlike its predecessors, Gladiator is a film about nothing. By that I mean that all great film epics, in addition to the plot, had an underlying theme or message. So even though they were about a story, they were also about something extra. Spartacus was about maintaining hope in the face of adversity and the evils of slavery; El Cid and Ben Hur were about the futility of revenge and the importance of forgiveness; the Ten Commandments and The Robe were about Christian faith. But what is Gladiator about? Nothing. It's just a movie that goes from point A to B. And this is is why it should have points deducted from its rating and status as "great film." A good movie is a well developed film with good directing, script, and acting. This is what Gladiator is. But a great film is all of these and more-- a movie about a deep, universal theme that speaks to us all or makes us think about important issues. And it is precisely in this regard that Gladiator fails to become a *great* movie. Okay, lastly-- hated the CG and cinematography. It seems that Scott's over-reliance on CG'ing everything caused a bit of short-sightedness. Very few scenes were shot from a few feet away, so you never got a sense of "place" while watching the movie. In addition, the CG was not that good, if only because it didn't seamlessly blend with the live actors. In fact, there was a noticeable separation of "planes" between actors and the blue screens. So, in a way, what you got was a high tech version of the notorious rear projection special effect from the 50's. As for the cinematography, the hazy, blue-ish gray light throughout made this film feel like it was taking place during Medieval Europe in the 1100s rather than the Mediterranean. Now I seem to be saying that Gladiator is an atrocious film-- not by any means. It isn't. But it's also not a great film, especially for those who are fans of past epics and hope to buy it without having viewed it first. My opinion is to first rent, then buy if you like. As for others who enjoyed this film immensely, may I suggest the early classics along with your purchase of this DVD: Spartacus, The Robe, Ben Hur, El Cid. Three star review from me.
Rating: 
Summary: Connects at many levels
Review: This is a great movie for adults that are not squeamish. There are many threads that run through this tale. The one I identified with most was the loyal soldier/family man, who above all seeks to discharge his duties as a soldier and husband/father honorably. At the whim of his adversaries, all that is precious to him is taken away - except his desire to continue on honorably. In short, it is a collage of cliches, but it is not hard to watch because it manages to make sense all the way through. The acting of Russell Crowe is perfect for this role, but I could imagine many of Hwood's best doing a good job in such a well-constructed tale. The cinematography is exemplary and really propels a great tale to the next level. All in all, this is a must watch, if you don't mind a prodigious quantity of blood and death.
Rating:
Summary: Epic
Review: Russell Crowe brings something indescribable to this movie...I think it is a kind of tempered stoicism, a deep sadness to match the gladiatorial exterior. This is a story set in the grandeur of ancient Rome. The emperor does not think his son, Commodus, is fit for the throne, so he plans to make General Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, the next emperor. Commodus overhears, and kills his father, after which he attempts to kill Maximus, but fails. Maximus becomes a low slave, and, eventually, a gladiator. He is heartbroken, for his wife and son have been killed by Commodus. The ending of the movie is bittersweet. Maximus neither entirely triumphs or entirely fails. But this movie is definitely a great one.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This movie is outstanding. Russell Crowe, the Gladiator, examplifies that moral principles must never been abandoned nor compromised. The message of living for and following one's moral convitions by taking an honorable course of action is played out with phenominal courage. This movie is not for the faint hearted, however, it gives us a reconviction to stand up for what is morally correct and of value in life. Excellent!
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator the Movie
Review: I loved this movie. It was vey good. If you have a weak stomach I would not recomend this movie to you. The main caracter is Russel Crowe. He is sooooooooo cool.
Rating:
Summary: An epic that shall take your breath away
Review: "Gladiator" is a film about one man's fight to rekindle the flame of a great idea on the verge of being completely extinguished.
The great idea was Rome - one of Man's supreme efforts to realize the Ideal which mankind has ever striven to attain.
But this ideal is lost under the rubble of political corruption, injustice and immorality. A man of courage and honor - General Maximus makes a promise to a dying Emperor, Marcus Aurelius that he shall salvage this great idea before it is lost forever, lost irrevocably to mankind.
But before anything can be done, Maximus becomes a terrible victim of the socio-political system by which he has hitherto remained untouched, and at whose summit we behold a moral monster - Commodus - the son of Marcus Aurelius.
From the position of a renowned military leader, this system pulls him down to its dregs - Maximus becomes a slave and a gladiator. Can a mere gladiator - who faces the prospect of a violent death every moment of his life - rise against the mighty Roman power and rescue mankind's greatest and grandest dream from remaining a dream forever? This is what "Gladiator", a magnificent, dramatic and compelling epic is all about. "Gladiator" is unabashedly concerned with the projection of a positive hero whose stature remains undiluted to the very end.
The performance by every character in the film, particularly Russell Crowe, is wonderful. A film replete with thrilling action, blood and gore, violence and suspense, "Gladiator" is not just an action-for-the-sake-of-action film.
It has profoundly and undeniably important philosophical-metaphysical implications. This combination of a historic perspective with a definite political viewpoint; a metaphysical dimension with a grand sense of life; a truthful presentation of the eternal laws of human existence with the projection of moral values - integrated to a nail-biting,terrific and terrifying story - this superb combination makes "Gladiator" one of the best films of the recent times.
Rating:
Summary: Must Own
Review: To movie-lovers and casual viewers alike, this movie is a must-own. With a perfect balance of action, drama, and plot, it is no wonder that this movie was an Academy Award-Winner. Though this movie may be a bit violent for younger viewers, it is nothing over-the-top. Overall, if you own a DVD player, you must own this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Russell Make Me Crow
Review: I love Gladiator movie with Russell Crowe. He good. He act good. He make the good face. It make me swoon. I hope he make Gladiator 2. It be good movie too. I see Russell Crowe and his good face when my husband make the sex with me. I don't tell my husband that, though. You buy Gladiator movie. You like it.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie !!
Review: Awesome soundtrack, fights, storyline. What more can I say ?
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