Rating: 
Summary: Visual fluff plus swords
Review: The more I think about this movie, the more I think Ridley Scott deserves to be dope-slapped with a bloody sandal. OK, for the record, I have seen both the DVD and the cinema version and I agree with all the technical praise heaped on the movie. Like Blade Runner (a much better all-round movie), the Matrix and Brazil this is another great mood-piece.On the down side, this was a movie that had many many massive logical flaws in the plot, some of the dialog was dreck and the depiction of Roman society, Roman army weapons and tactics and Roman politics "Gladiator" offered was less accurate than Asterix the Gaul. Actually, that's an insult to Goscinny and Uderzo since they genuinely had affection for those times. The following are my pet peeves: Why does it only take Maximus a few days to get from Germany to Spain on one horse? Realistically it would have taken at least two weeks (no airbus in those days guys). Why do the slavers take him to Morocco (Another long land trip, a sea journey and valuable water resources on the walk through the desert?) Was that the only place in Ridley Scott's ancient world where you could sell an anonymous guy? The list of annoying inconsistencies goes on but I will only bore you with a deconstruction of the now-famous battle scene at the beginning of the movie. If you just wanted to watch a bunch of guys hack at each other in the mud, then the opening battle scene was great. As I said, it was beautifully filmed and produced, but why did the commander of the entire army place himself (with no staff, bodyguards or signallers) at the head of a cavalry unit which was supposed to outflank the enemy and attack downhill from the rear? Hello? can any one say "chain of command"? Why did the Germans obediently line up on the edge of the wood so the Romans could mow them down with arrow-fire? Germans were renowned for sneaking up on people through the woods and then ambushing the pursuit (e.g. the destruction of Quintillius Varus' three legions in Teutoberg Forest in 9 AD). Why did the Romans fire all those fire arrows and flaming siege-engine bolts at the Germans? There was nothing to set fire to (no houses, defensive works etc). Why did the Romans not follow standard battle practice and obliterate the first ranks of the Germans with their heavy javelins (pila) before the Germans closed? The answer to all these questions is the crux of my complaint against "Gladiator" and why I think it only deserves three stars: Historical accuracy and dramatic integrity were sacrificed at every turn so the movie would "look good". This is OK if you are doing fantasy, or a NIKE commercial, it's even OK for dramatic licence if it aids the story, but the needless underlining and heavy-handed plot structure(Roman Army general, good, evil emperor, bad) totally reduced Gladiator from what it could have been (a thoughtful look at power, war and charisma) to a simple-minded WWF spectacle in Roman Drag. Those "Nubian" charioteers were also extremely hokey and stupidly "exotic". Needless to say, this movie came nowhere near to being the Best Movie of 2000 in my humble opinion.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth All Of The Hype
Review: When Gladiator came out at the cinema i didnt go and see it at the pictures as there was too much hype and i didnt think that it would live up to its expectations. A friend recently bought it on dvd and talked me into watching it and i have to say that it knocked me for six. I wish that i had watched Gladiator on the big screen as its a fantastic film, with some excellent fight scenes. Russell Crow (Maximus) plays his part with unpresidented pride and makes the character come to life. Gladiator is a film that you should own(i do now) as its one you watch over and over again as the quality of it is so good and there are also loads of extras on the dvd.
Rating:
Summary: A beautifully visual epic
Review: This movie is awesome! My husband and I both loved it. Then we bought the DVD and it blew us away. They should do all DVDs like this one. The behind the scenes footage and commentary from Ridley Scott and Hans Zimmer etc are excellent. A lot of work went into this movie and the DVD. I appreciate the extra additions and enjoy the movie more because of the added features. Please do more like this movie and DVD additions!
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator Rocks!!!
Review: As a big movie and music fan fan, the movie Gladiator is a very action packed movie. This movie has Russell Crow starring, the story begins on a battlefield and Russell (the Gladiator) is the Colonel or Commander of the Roman Army. He is very much respected and trusted by the king. The King's daughter fall for the "Gladiator". Russell and the Princess both dislike her brothers greediness. And then the Next day the King is mysteriously dead and the prince says that Russell killed him. This is a very action packed movie and has a little romance. The movie Gladiator would be a very good movie to see for a Friday night or a date to watch. I suggest that children do not see this movie. This movie's sound effects and action are awesome. Sound is digitally mastered. This movie will blow you away.
Rating: 
Summary: Russell Crowe Reason for Oscar Win
Review: Russell Crowe is the reason this film won an academy award. His performance as Maximus blew me away; it was if I had never seen a movie actor before. He took a role which could have been one-or-two-dimensional and from the moment we meet him, he encompasses everything Maximus is supposed to be: a leader, a fighter, a farmer, a man who loves his family, a man of honor, and a spiritual man. It's so hard to actually put your finger on it, but his facial expressions and the way he delivers such lines as, "what we do in life echoes in eternity" and especially the speech where he states his name, "loyal servant to the true emporer, Marcus Aurelis, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife," -- I defy anyone that hears Russell deliver that speech to not feel something. The music swells up, the crowd is cheering, the gladiators yell "Maximus". A definite favorite movie moment for me. I do think Gladiator an average story and it is; but Russell, and Russell alone, takes a film with some great filmmaking and lifts it up to a point where we feel we've seen a great film. I really believe this would have been a summer blockbuster ignored by the Academy at the end of the year if it hadn't been for Russell Crowe. I do have a lot of respect for Tom Hanks and Ed Harris, but I must say I cheered when Russell took home the prize. Cudos to Ridley Scott and the opening battle sequence as well; but I challenge anyone to really watch this movie and not see that Russell was the soul. I have this on DVD with surround sound -- the only way to watch it!
Rating:
Summary: A Triumph of the Human Spirit
Review: Forget your notions of men in sandals running around swatting at each other. As a lover of history and the "real lives" of people, I was blown away. They definitely did their research with this movie, and turned out something that appeals to those who love romance, drama, action, adventure, history, and everything in between. Let's start with the acting. Oliver Reed and Derek Jacobi are two of my FAVORITE actors, and they're here in *supporting* roles! Richard Harris is the dying caesar who tries to make things right but is foiled by his power-hungry son. The characters are all completely believable, with their motivations and needs and drives. The scenery and cinematics are gorgeous. The computer work done is completely seamless with the reality you're presented with. They combine state of the art technology with good old fashioned make-thousands-of-bricks-the-authentic-way to bring you something that *feels* real. It doesn't feel like a period piece. It feels like something you could live in yourself, something you'd understand and empathize with. The action is breathtaking. They had permission to really burn down a forest, so they did so in true Roman style. The swordfights aren't faked - they're the results of weeks of choreography and practice. Battle scenes on this scale are rarely seen, and definitely not with the attention to detail this film puts in. Even the music is stellar! The amount of thought that went into the themes and the changes in atmosphere are astounding. One of the features of the DVD is that you get a TON of special features including interviews with just about everyone who worked on the project. Did you realize that the battle scenes are done to a *waltz* - showing the majestic professionalism and order of the Roman army? These weren't ruffians out to loot and destroy. This was a well oiled machine which had trained, studied and mastered the Art of War. I recommend this one enthusiastically to just about any adult. There's definitely something in it for anybody.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator
Review: I got the special 2 DVD release. Listening to Hans Zimmer explain how the music developed just adds to the whole movie experience. The film is fantastic, and I would only say that a directors cut including some of the items dropped for time saving would be one step better, although longer, and the film theme track to consume, time and time again. Now I have to go to Rome!
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie Since "The Green Mile."
Review: I usually don't bother writing movie reviews, as I find that there are plenty to go around in the first place. However, after seeing "Gladiator" last night, I have been unable to keep away from giving the world my opinion. From start to finish, "Gladiator" is a fantastic epic with a powerful storyline and awesome acting. Before seeing it, I was skeptical as to it winning the Academy Award. However, after seeing it I would put it up against any of the Best Picture nominations SINCE TITANIC. After watching it at my uncle's house, I am going out to buy it today. I urge you to do the same. 'Nuff said.
Rating:
Summary: BEST OF THE BEST
Review: one of the best movies I ever saw, excellent acting, amazing music, and tragedian end. this movie deserves more than 5 stars. I've watched the movie more than once, every time I see it I discover a new things amazing. bottom line this film deserves to be watched.
Rating:
Summary: Entertaining cheese.........but Best Movie?
Review: I did enjoy this movie. I also enjoyed Conan the Barbarian, Mad Max, Top Gun and many Saturday morning cartoons - all good entertainment providing a brain dead escape for a couple of hours [actually, there are a few Saturday morning cartoons that run a little deeper]. Come on folks, strip away the gloss and all you got is one supernatural general kickin a little ____. Oh yeah, there's the other standards: avenge his family's death, evil wimpy/insecure emperor, new side kick buddy, the invincible (supposed) combatant ..... What does our good General expect....I wonder how many thousands of orphans were created by Maximus in his many invasions? Director of movie: No No Noooo, let's not go there, we don't want to tax our audience. See it, enjoy it and shelve it...not worthy of veneration nor an Academy Award.
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