Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: Well, the chariot battle was good...
Review: Gladiator has somehow garnered adulation. It snagged the Oscar for Best Picture (no mean feat), made lots of money, and collected a reasonable share of critical acclaim. But even after watching it (twice), I steadfastly stick to my conclusion that Gladiator is not a great movie...not even a good one.

Gladiator holds promise for a heroic story with a liberal dosing of medieval battles. In the end, I am left with a feeling that the film is a blatant retread of Braveheart and other more successful varieties of the "hero fighting for freedom and revenge" plot. Our hero, Maximus, spouts several turgid speeches that sound as if they were ripped directly from Braveheart, and his lack of emotional power render his recitations tepid and uninspiring. Maximus' forgettable dearth of emotionalized feeling when his family is mercilessly slaughtered is nauseating. Crowe's entire role is too halfhearted (he won Best Actor!?!?), helped little by the mimetic script. Don't even get me started on the implicit affection between Maximus and the emperor's sister, which was retch-inducingly contrived.

The battle scenes are ambitious in their orchestration, but ultimately they are filmed poorly thanks to erratic camera movement that forsake clarity or the exhilarating involvement of, say, Saving Private Ryan. Admittedly, the chariot battle is stunning, with its breathless sense of urgency that the filmmakers captured here. But why didn't they do it for the rest of the movie? It doesn't help that the different battles seem like disparate events unforgivingly adhered to an existing story line to add violent physical conflict. What Maximus is fighting for becomes unclear amidst the series of battles, which lack fiery emotional intensity that SHOULD be present when someone is fighting for freedom and revenege. One area that deserves accolade is the incredible sound. All around, you can hear arrows whiz by, the cacophony of clashing steel, and anguished screams. Very impressive!

And then comes the big kick in the face: the woeful anticlimax. I won't go into detail, but prepare to be disappointed. Suffice to say, Maximus becomes a martyr, but what did he accomplish? Bad, regurgitated speeches? Passionless action? Great work!

Gladiator may have been a better movie if it had been thirty minutes shorter, cut out the sordid insinuations of romance, and had more chariot battles. But when you're making a big Hollywood blockbuster, you've gotta have reams of dross to guarantee it sells.

Rating:
Summary: Russel Crowe: Actor or large brick?
Review: I went into this film with and open mind and a sense of excitement. I left however, bored and baffeled. Bored because the plot of this movie was ridiculus and insulting, but above all dull and cliche. How many times am i going to see this movie? Correct me if i am wrong but "man of power runs into bully king, becomes slave, rises back to prominence via ancient athletics" is that not the plot of Ben Hur.That was a dull movie but more compelling due to Chuck "Gunrack on my golfcart" Heston's 4 facial expressions as oposed to Mr Crowe's 2. Yes I said two, along with his time tested "angry" face good old Rus dusted off his brand new (what I like to call) "Brooding" face. If a man doesn't deserve an Oscar for being slightly less expressive than Mr Potato Head, then I don't know what he'd have to do. Another problem with this movie is that nobody had a conversation. Every charactor belted out a series of monologues in an apearent attempt to be powerful and moving. I guess i am old fassioned but when i watch and epic I expect a moving story, great acting(or over the top acting from Chuck), and movie style dialoge not this Stoner Shakespere meets Sparticus Vs Ben Hur movie i was unwittingly subjected to. ps this movie wasn't very good

Rating:
Summary: The only other better DVD than this is Fight Club
Review: This has 2 discs, which usually means that it is a wonderful DVD. First off, the extras are spectacular. With these, you can actually see how this movie was made, and it'll take you at least 3 days to review all the stuff on this disc. This is also a very good movie, not great, but good.

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator; A Roman epic, a Loyal Roman¿s Odyssey.
Review: A Roman epic, a Loyal Roman's Odyssey, a movie that makes you cheer and cry for the good guy.

A great and respected General, Maximus (Russell Crowe) helps Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), the Roman Emperor, win another battle. This battle was against the last enemy "of the time" to oppose Rome. Marcus Aurelius, tired and old, is concerned for the future of Rome. He decides that Rome's future would be better of it were run by a Senate instead of an Emperor. He confides in Maximus and his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) that he is going to declare Maximus his successor to work with the Senate instead of making his heir apparent son, the Emperor. Commodus kills his father before the announcement and, when Maximus will not pledge his allegiance to Commodus, has Maximus executed. He also crucifies Maximus' wife and son, who Maximus loves dearly, but hasn't seen in almost three years. Maximus narrowly survives the attempt on his life, but ends up a slave to an ex gladiator (Oliver Reed). Commodus had admitted to his father that he is neither brave, respected, nor righteous, like Maximus, instead he exclaimed that he is ambitious, smart, and cunning. He knows his role as Emperor is tenuous at best, as many believe the senate should be the governing factor of Rome. The gladiators are brought to Rome by Commodus as a ploy to entertain and thus gain allegiance of the people. However Maximus the Gladiator "known as the Spaniard" gains the good will of all that watch the games. Once Commodus finds out who the Spaniard really is, Maximus needs to be saved by his one time love Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) Commodus' sister, and a loyal Roman Senator.

While the sound track will not be on the top ten hits list, it works well with the story line and helps build suspense and mood. The grandeur and reality of the landscape, especially the coliseum (albeit noticeably digitized) is noteworthy. The script makes the characters and plot believable. The acting of Crowe and Phoenix make it come to life with the help of director Ridley Scott (Hannibal, G.I Jane, Alien, Thelma and Louise, Blade Runner and Someone to Watch Over Me, to name a few). Crowe, after making numerous movies involving Australia where his acting, looks, masculinity and horsemanship where propelling him to bigger and better roles in more recent films, such as LA Confidential and last years film The Insider. Crowe leaves his suit coat and whistle blowing scientist role in The Insider to go back to the rugged look, which he can obviously play. Crowe shows us his macho side in this movie, much as he did in LA confidential where he played a police detective that takes on the mob and dirty cops. In contrast to his macho side is his sincere love for his wife and son, once you see him light the candles and hold the little wooden figurines of his family to help get through the time away from home, you can sympathize with him when they are killed.

While I am not a big fan of Phoenix, (The Yards, 8MM, Clay Pigeons, and To Die For) in this film he convinced me he was truly cruel and off of his rocker. Nielsen (Mission to Mars, Soldier, Devil's Advocate and Voyage) is beautiful, loyal, and convincingly sincere in her fear of her brother and in her love for Maximus. Reed, who died during the production, stars in his final role after over two dozen movies since the early 1960s. He played and looked the part of a retired Gladiator that shows the "Spaniard" how to win the crowd's favor.

When this movie came out I couldn't decide if I wanted to see it, so I asked someone who had. My secretary, I'll just say she is over 50 years of age, "said I loved it! Russell Crowe's eyes are to die for! You and your wife will both like it." I like action movies but my wife does not; yet we both enjoyed the movie very much. We felt the battles, scenery, and roles played by the actors were very realistic. This movie is not unlike Braveheart and The Patriot, both of which have there bloody scenes but they are offset by intensity and captivating roles of the characters. The Gladiator, rated "R" due to the fact that it also has graphic violence and bloodletting as the war between the Germanic tribes and the Romans comes to life. Of course the battles that the gladiators have also let a head or two roll. Don't let this bit of realism scare you off, much of the veracity is subdued by the grandeur and speed at which it happens. Beyond the blood, the acting is good, the scenery and the coliseum are beautiful, but can't be appreciated on TV like on the big screen. The politics involved with running Rome at the time is realistic, much like today where politicians play one group against another to get their way and/or where they want to be. The plot is well thought out, and the story moves along making the two and a half-hour movie seem much shorter. It gets five stars.

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: After winning an Oscar(c) for Best Picture, this movie is just perfect for that title. Even though Gladiator is not for the 'squelish' (battle scenes show much violence), this movie is certainly the best movie I have ever seen and anybody who watches will agree 100%.

Rating:
Summary: A rarity for the year 2000, and a welcome one.
Review: Alas, it is not the mercilessly bloody and cold story that you hear from prudish minds, but rather an engrossing and action-packed tale. Of coarse, the film is basically Russell Crowe-and he is magnificent. Some of the film's battle sequences (especially the first harrowing encounter with the gladiators inside of an arena) are stomach-churning, but they are increasingly operatic...and important in character revelation. A truly good movie, while not a five-star "masterpiece," that should be recommended (and enjoyed) by everyone.

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator destroys the competition
Review: Some people don't like this movie, they say it's an overbudget action film. Still, I loved it. It's an archetypal story of one man destroying an empire, similar to Braveheart. The uniqueness of the story comes with the Roman setting which is breathtaking and realistic. Russell Crowe leads a wonderful cast, including Joaquim Phoenix as his nemesis. The performances are strong, the plot is good, and the action is intense. The DVD serves the movie very well, with sharp picture and awesome sound that can shake the whole house. The extras are awesome including Discovery Channel documentaries on Gladiator, interviews, and cutscenes. Ridley Scott does his movie justice with this 2-Disc set, which is a necessity for any DVD collection.

Rating:
Summary: Return To Rome
Review: Gladiator is a return to the sandals and robes epics that were so prevalent in the 1950's. The film revolves around Russell Crowe's Maximus who was the emperor's favorite general and in fact was picked him to rule Rome upon his death instead of his own son, Commodus. Commodus finds out about this, kills his father, takes control of the empire and orders Maximus to death. Maximus escapes and ends up being sold as a slave. Maximus' new master sees him as a gladiator and he is forced to fight in the arenas. These fighting scenes are what make this movie so great. They beautifully choreographed and the action is filled at a breakneck speed. The fights are a bit gory and violent, but the violence is never gratuitous. The technical wizardry of the day allows director Ridley Scott to recreate the Roman Coliseum in stunning detail. Eventually Maximus and Commodus face each in the arena and the film comes to a surprising conclusion. Mr. Crowe is superb as Maximus. He has a commanding presence on the screen and he nicely balances the certain degree of pomposity and arrogance that the role requires with a subtly that make Maximus seem real. The late Oliver Reed is great as the slave owner and Richard Harris has a fine cameo as the emperor. As great as Mr. Crowe is, it is Joaquin Phoenix who steals the movie as Commodus. He is perfectly evil in the role and he eats up every scene he is in. The film recently won the 2000 Oscar as Best Picture and Mr. Crowe took home the Best Actor award.

Rating:
Summary: The best movie I've seen in a long time...
Review: This is simply a wonderful movie. From the effects, to the great acting, it definitely deserves the Oscar for best picture that it received and Russell Crowe definitely deserved the praise as the best actor. Buy this!!!

Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!
Review: Truely was an excellent film. The acting, the effects, the gore, it is just "The" film of the year and it deserved every oscar it got and more! If you haven't seen it, get ready and you don't know what you're missing. It wasn't better than Braveheart but I guess thats a biass opinion because I love Mel. But Crowe did an astonishing performance and I'm glad for him.