Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: Hail Gladiators... Russell Crowe and Ridley Scott!
Review: Ridley Scott has directed-created cinema myth for years. Images conjured in ALIEN; BLADE RUNNER; LEGEND...less successful/ambitious efforts...SOMEONE TO WATCH OVER ME; THELMA & LOUISE; WHITE SQUALL, (critically "bombs away", 1 4 9 2)are archetypal and enthralling. In GLADIATOR, Scott's technical verve is matched by Russell Crowe's nuanced acting and physical presence to IMAGINE an epic hero's quest. Again, the grandeur of Rome...master of the world, yet in ceaseless conflict with itself, is evoked. General Maximus (Crowe)...incarnating what was best and just in a nation-empire of Caesar/citizen-farmer/soldiers...opposes decadence, perversity and will to self-homage incarnated in narcissist emperor, Commodus (played with epicene cruelty and cowardice by Joaquin Phoenix). Shakespearean master Derek Jacobi...of I,CLAUDIUS ...is superb as Senator Gracchus ( reincarnation of the Gracchi Brothers of Roman Republican legend, previously essayed by Charles Laughton in Stanley Kubrick's SPARTACUS) who perceives Commodus appeal as emperor of "bread & circuses", panderer to a culture of death.

The film's violence is brutal. But not, I submit, grotesque. One wonders how much irony Scott employed in his graphic battle and gladiatorial combat sequences to win us viewers, the "blood thirsty crowd"..as Proximo( former gladiator and mentor to Maximus)advises. Proximo is played by Oliver Reed in his last role ( some had to be digitally constructed because of his untimely death) with the dignity of a man who was once a hero but has reduced himself to "entertainer" Connie Nielson is fine as Commodus decent but Machiavelian sister who schemes against interests...both politcal and incestuous...of her Nero-like brother while attempting to rekindle the ardor of her once-beloved Maximus. Richard Harris is good in his important cameo as philosopher-Emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Some reviewers observe much good acting by the principals (and supporting actors, like David Hemmings of "Blow-Up" fame playing the obsequious role of a Petronius-like "minister of culture") is lost to the sweep of the film and its raw action. (The awesome opening battle between Roman Legions and Germanic tribes alone warrants a reviewing.) However, it is Russell Crowe who makes GLADIATOR a great movie. Maximus projects "strength and honor" of the just, good man. Director Scott has produced an epic adventure that rings with the rise of renewing myth. Critics may assert numerous historical innaccuracies. (In fact: Commodus was killed in gladiatorial combat when he forgot what Roman Emperor's had whispered in their ears whenever they rode in CEREMONIAL TRIUMPHS: you are only a man!) SPQR existed more than a 1000 years and was preeminent even in decline. Apparently many men (and women; the Roman matriarchs ruled families and Mother's Day was a festival of tribute to Matrons) never forgot. So heroism became possible. GLADIATOR is about heroism. Both mythical and real. We saw Crowe essay (reality) a similar role in THE INSIDER. Scott's film allows the HERO TO EMERGE. Some movie buffs profess to love films of the ilk of AMERICAN BEAUTY. I'll take...submit to you...GLADIATOR any time. Ave atque Vale!

Rating:
Summary: History? Humbug!
Review: Among the good qualities of the DVD are the following: 1) widescreen format, 2) very revealing "director's commentary" to play over the film's audio track, and 3) fine reproduction of the film's picture and soundtrack.

The glories of "Gladiator" are superficial, but the principal players do turn in fine thespian performances. No amount of good acting can conceal the limp plot structure and the basic sensationalism of the director's "artistic" vision. The premise of the film -- that a popular gladiator could become a contender for the throne of the Roman Empire -- is ludicrous and reveals a profound ignorance of reality. The director's commentary explains how Ridley Scott and his crew avoided dealing with authentic history in order to make this picture. To "experts" who point out that this or that never occurred, or could not have occurred owing to the nature of things in that era, the filmmaker's response is "how do you know? were you there?" So they used "logic" to recreate Rome "as it must necessarily have been." The logic here is that of the director, the script writer, the set designer... in two words, HOLLYWOOD LOGIC.

Where actual fact would interfere with the plot, the filmmakers chose to simply ignore the fact, as with the facts that Commodus ruled for over a decade, was not accused of murdering his father, had no erotic designs on his sister, fought in the arena over 700 times against men and wild beasts and styled himself "The Roman Hercules." All the film takes from this interesting history (much more interesting than the formula melodrama that is "Gladiator") is the fact that Commodus liked attending the gladiatorial games, and the rest is simply swept under the rug.

I enjoyed "Gladiator" in the theater and despite what annoys me about the movie I actually enjoy every minute of it. The story moves along rapidly, like a river breaking through a dam, and the sister of Commodus is unusually beautiful, i.e. not a cookie-cutter Hollywood bombshell. The fight scenes are suitably convincing, though edited so aggressively that it's hard to follow who's hitting who and where the fighters stand in relation to one another in the arena. The CGI work stands as a marvel of modern filmmaking.

The musical score is appropriate and really helps to energize the story.

Finally, the 2:30 running time is hardly noticeable; Scott & company must be doing something right to keep the film from seeming overly long.

If you want to learn something about Roman history, read some books (Edward Gibbon's "Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire" tells the story of Commodus -- it doesn't resemble "Gladiator" at all). If you want a gory, expensive-looking action film in which the good guys win, "Gladiator" isn't a bad way to kill an evening.

Rating:
Summary: Let's hope it sweeps the oscars!
Review: Gladiator is a movie I saw a couple months ago and it still holds up in my opinion. Russell Crowe does a great performance as Maximus, a roman general who becomes a slave. Joaquin Phoenix is an excellent villian who is so evil you just want to gouge out his eyes with your bare hands. Like alot of epic films that get nominated for Best Picture at the oscars, Gladiator is long and a bit boring. But spectacular battles at the roman colosseum and great acting will keep you riveted right to the end. This film however should not be viewed by the weakened heart, due to graphic violence. But anyone who has a big set, is interested in the roman empire or who just likes great movies should watch this cinematic masterpiece.

Rating:
Summary: **Fantastic!!**
Review: Turn off the lights, plop into an armchair, and don't forget that tub of popcorn! This super- charged, action packed movie with loads of heart and passion makes my cut for the top five movies of the year! There is a surprisingly low amount of crude blood & gore, and there is a detectable level of thought and emotion. *Gladiator* has tremendous appeal for all kinds of people, and is definitely worth seeing. Very entertaining, and highly recommended by me, make this movie your highlight of the evening!

Rating:
Summary: Two words: THE BEST!!!
Review: Russell Crowe jumps into the role of Maximus, a former Roman general, who's wife and son were murdered by the evil Comodus to keep Maximus from becoming ruler over Rome. After the murders, Maximus is sold into slavery and eventually ends up a gladiator. After numerus gory gladiator-against-gladiator fights, the group of fighters that Maximus is taveling with goes to the Colesium, and spectator arena in Rome for gladiator battles, maximus is chalenged to a duel by Comodus. I won't tell you the end, but you've gotto see this flick. Ranks in my top five with: Raiders of the Lost Ark/Gladiator(1); The Patriot(2); Goldfinger(3)Tomorrow Never Dies(4); and The Green Berets(5). All Great war/action/adventure flicks

Rating:
Summary: Best film of the year???
Review: Maybe. THis movie was a lot better then stupid crap like " ERin Brokovich" for sure.... This movie is great. Most of the time i cant deal with these historical epics cause most s***to be frank. There are exceptions i.e. Braveheart, Last of the MOhicans etc. and this movie. Ridley SCott did a brilliant job with this one. He is a genius. The visuals were great. But what propels the movie above other epics is Russell Crowe. He is amazing and keeps your attention. He is one bad mofo!! He will hopefully always be a big star. He deserves to be because of his raw talent. If u like him in this movie check out "LA CONFIDENTIAL" and "ROMPER STOMPER". Jaquien Pheonix also did a nice job here as the emperor. And by the way, the action scenes were amazing! They will blow u away. THE DVD IS GREAT!!

Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of the Year
Review: This movie Gladiator was my Titanic for the year. I absolutely loved it! The photography, acting and story line where just nothing short of magnificent. Russell Crowe was just wonderful as Maximus as was Joaquin Phoenix as the emperor. I have seen this movie about a dozen times now, and never tier of it, everytime I watch it, I see something new. I LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: Sillius Maximus - "Conan" on estrogen
Review: As reluctant as many people may be to admit it, this movie wouldn't have been made if it weren't for "Conan", not to mention Hollywood's earlier Roman extravaganzas "Ben-Hur", "Spartacus", and the others. The problem is that all the testosterone has been drained away: in our enlightened age, it won't do to have a man beat and hack the life out of another guy without getting the opportunity to show us his softer side.

As a "revenge" movie, it works on a pretty superficial level. There simply isn't enough background for the audience to identify all that deeply with Crowe's "Maximus" - his family dies off screen without us ever really seeing them, and frankly, I didn't think find him a sympathetic character anyway. The entire plot was contrived - I felt thoroughly manipulated: wind up Maximus and let him buzz through all those bad old gladiators on his way to his eventual (and totally inevitable, entirely predictable, and wholly inconsequental) fight with Commodus. Ho-hum. Top it all with a big Hollywood-style happy ending ("Rome the Republic"... ...It was over-the-top feel-goodism.

Crowe is pretty darned hammy, there's just no getting away from it. When he shouts to one audience, "Do I entertain you?", I wish they had shouted back "NO, you hambone, bring in Commodus!" But I guess he fills out a skirt nicely, so the ladies have something to look at. (There sure isn't anything for the guys, 'cause female lead Connie Nielsen, as Commodus' sister Lucilla, is draped chin-to-toe throughout, even when her brother is pawing at her.) Oliver Reed does well as the ex-gladiator running the team, but Richard Harris's Marcus was exhausted to the point of near incomprehensibility. And are we going to be stuck for the next decade with red-lipped, downy-cheeked little boys instead of kids who look like they actually play outside and skin their knees?

Digital tomfoolery. Feh. The opening scenes in Germania were simply awful. Totally inexcuseable. For crying out loud, when will the ninnies in Hollywood learn that only SNOW looks like SNOW? I guess it comes from never having seen the stuff themselves, but in this flick, you get feathers and down. That's right - feathers. It is SO obviously filmed through a blue filter on a bright sunny day with feathers drifting about that you wonder who's raiding the henhouse. (By the time the first 30 minutes was over, I wanted to take every filter in Ridley Scott's kit and make him eat them....) Look, at least TRY to film SOME stuff on location if you have a budget like that. But I forget - you're paying for auteur Scott and actors like Crowe and Reed and Phoenix and Harris, plus all the digital scenery - can't afford anything like realistic LOCATION shots. Hell, why bother - why not make it one big cartoon and leave ALL the real world behind? The rest (the Colosseum, Maximus' villa, Rome itself, etc.) - think "Perfect Storm". NOT convincing. You know, it would be preferable to have painted backdrops (which in effect is what we DO have, only digitally) with better shots of the actors than big screen-filling matte shots. Count me underwhelmed.

I didn't bother with all the extras. Go for it you want them - I just don't care enough when you have something SO self-important, over-hyped, and at it's heart hollow and shabby. No kidding - I think Ed Wood *cared* more about his movies than the folks associated with this bloated blintz.

SO - no sympathetic characters; hackneyed, trite, cliche-ridden plot; hokey digital effects; emotionally overwrought and JARRINGLY anachronistic soundtrack, plus a large dollop of 1990's-style political correctness, and you have the mediocre mush of "Gladiator". "Conan" without the cohones, "Spartacus" without the spirit, "Ben-Hur" without the....you get the idea. Pass.

Rating:
Summary: Must Have for any DVD owner
Review: The movie is good enough to merit a purchase, but the DVD's special features really bring it over the top. While not quite as spectacular special features as Seven or Fight Club, this movie includes 2 DVD's in a nice package. I think most people know the movie well enough so I don't have to explain it, but if you're a fan of action/drama or movies set in older times, this has everything. Joaquin Phoenix can be a little annoying at times but that's kind of the point of this character. Either way, this is a great dvd.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: This is another case of a well prepared advertisement campaign. Weeks before the film entered the cinemas the world was praising the film as something nobody else had ever seen before. Now, there lay exactly the problem. The 1964 version of "The Fall of the Roman Empire" (with Sophia Loren) tells more or less the same story but without all the sound effects available now. Take those Dolby Suround/THX effects and you will have a very dull story. That's why I insist watching The Fall of the Roman Empire might lack some technical quality but it beats The Gladiator in most parts. If you like battle scenes and man-to-man fights you get the right movie. Anything beyond that is an insult.