Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: ******* THE BEST MOVIE OF ANYTIME *****
Review: RUSSEL CROWE is WONDERFUL in this splendid story *****
THERE IS NOT ENOUGHT STARS FOR THIS MOVIE with OLIVER REED WHO WAS AN ANCIENT GLADIATOR THIS MOVIE IS THE BEST OF THE BESTS MOVIES ******************************

Rating:
Summary: The Gladiator
Review: This epic movie begins with Russell Crowe as General Maximus leading a battle, against the barbarians, into Germania -- the last stronghold standing in the way of Roman victory and the promise of peace throughout the Roman Empire. The whole riveting battle is watched by the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, played by Richard Harris. The Emperor, who knows that he is dying, and does not want his powers to pass on to his son, Commodus, asks Maximus to take his place as Emperor. Upon learning of his father's decision, Commodus kills his father and takes over the throne as Emperor of Rome. When Maximus refuses to acknowledge Commodus as Emperor, Commodus has Maximus' wife and son killed and orders Maximus to be executed. Maximus manages to escape and returns home, only to find his family dead. Weak and exhausted from his wounds, Maximus is captured by slave traders and sold to a former gladiator, Proximo. Maximus becomes a gladiator in Prosimo's gladiator school and ends up back in Rome to fulfill his vegeneance against the Emperor Commodus.

The movie, filled with political intrigue, is extremely emotional and filled with action. The audience is left feeling that they are a part of that time period and are as one with the Roman peoples as they watch the battle of the gladiators as Maximus fights the Emperor Commodus in a battle to the death.

Russell Crowe was exceptional in his portrayal of Maximus, as was Joanquin Phoenix in his portrayal of Commodus. You loved Maximus -- you hated Commodus.

"The Gladiator" would appeal to some, but not to others. I find myself in the middle, but am not sure why. There was a lot of "blood and guts," but I think the emotional impact is what has left me undecided; the same feeling I have come away with after watching "The Patriot," with Mel Gibson, and "Windwalker," with Nicolas Cage. Maybe it is because these movies are harsh realities of life we have to face -- realities we really don't want to face -- realities we know that we will always have to face.

Ridley Scott did an infamous job in directing the film. The acting was superb, the scenery glorius and overwhelming. "The Gladiator" is a movie I would recommend -- and let you decide.

Rating:
Summary: Mighty Maximus has sword-MAXIMUS MIGHTY ! AHHH !
Review: GENERUL MAXIMUS FIGHT BARBARIANS UND VICTORIOUS
CEESUR OF ROME COME UN TELL MAXIMUS NEW CEESUR IS HIM
MAXIMUS AFRAID TO BE ROME LEADUER. COMMODUS SON OF CEESUR COME UN ANGRRRY AN KILL FAZA QUIETLY UN TAKE CROWN OF ROME HIMSELF.

MAXIMUS ANGRY UN TAKEN AS SLAVE UN SOLD TO FIGHT AS WARRIOR UN GLADIATOR. MAXIMUS UN OZER GLADIATORS FIGHT IN ZE ARENA IN ROME UN SEE NEW CEESUR, COMMODUS.

COMMODUS EVIL UN WANT BABIES WIT SISTUR

LIKE FIGHTS WITH SWORDS- "SLISH-SLASH-CLANK-SLASH-CLANK-CLANK" UN CHOP HEADS UN GET INTO CHARIOT. LOTS ARROW UN BOWS -
VERY VIOLENCE - BLOOD LOTS, YELL LOTS, "AHHHHHHHHH!, AIEEEEEEEEEEE!" OR "MAXIMUS!"

RUSSUL CROW GOOD ACTOR UN AND JACK FENIX, SO IS ALL CAST

GLADIATOR I LOVE - GET MOVIE YOU LIKE - YOU BUY

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator
Review: There is quite a bit of violence in this movie, so it is not for the timid. but the themes of fate, honor, diginity and karma are strong. Crowe gives an outstanding performance. Quite violent but a good flick anyway. This is a well-done visual feast for the viewer and completely enjoyable. the characters are believable, the storyline is interesting and the emotional investment is large.

Rating:
Summary: This movie Wuz da bom
Review: This movie is my favorite action movie, although it is a little bit bloody and gory, and a few guys get their heads and arms chopped off. This movie really filled a special warm spot in my heart.

Rating:
Summary: Sheer spectacle makes it worth a look
Review: It has its flaws but "Gladiator" is a highly enjoyable film. The writing, albeit, wasn't grade A but that's not what this film is about. "Gladiator" is about spectacular (and bloody) fighting scenes and that why its so awesome. Lots of CGi effects are used to add to the dramatics but they blend in well and the fights have a realistic look. It may just be eye candy but sure is fun to watch. Unlike some other films which simply focus on the CGi (see Attack of the Clones, haha), this movie gives us some good acting. Russell Crowe was perfect in the role of Maximus and Joaquin Phoniex did well as Commodus. Ridley Scott did a good job directing too.

"Gladiator" has it errors but if your the type who simply loves action then this is a must-see. Even if your not a huge action fan, give it a try. But you'd better have a strong stomach!!

Rating:
Summary: the movie is ok, but what's the END?
Review: The production of the movie is fine, but I am not understanding what is this movie going to tell me. Two men die and the woman speaks a lot at the end of the movie, but that has nothing to do with the main theme.

Rating:
Summary: Infamia, to thrive for Centuries.
Review: Written in the classical fashion of the Hero's quest (the old way of Hero stories, for whom their fall from grace is the journey to revenge and redemption), Gladiator brings back the charm and violence of the so called Roman Empire, with its self indulgent blood thirst, and thankfully away from all the Christian topics (commonly surrounding the genre back in the old days), it is about the thrive for power and payback for the sins of thy beloved, even if it is your brother or sister, revenge conveys into the motif to kill for the masses, the most popular events in the Empire, played all over the realm, lasting for long centuries. The ones about to die salute, there for when applauding, you give then back their dignity and will to overcome the other Gladiator, the crowd decides their pardon or kill, and so the Arena is brought back to satisfied the need for such an entertainment, the mother of all blood sports, and the mob's red torn ideal of entertainment, Hail Caesar!
Gladiator was intended to be only an appealing summer movie for audiences all around the world, but it ended being much more. Honored with 5 Academy Awards (Including Best Picture), the film revive a genre that had been forgotten for more than two decades, and almost 40 years after the last gladiator movie (Spartacus, 1960), intrigue political, and huge action spectacle are again the Odeum of Dark Blood and deceive, towards the Emperor's son, to overcome the uncanny mighty thirst of manipulative will over the people, to be their father, and consume the sister's love, twisted and rising over an splendorous dry atmosphere of dust and red water.
Wisely choreographed, and visually breathtaking, Gladiator uses the camera and sound maximum to blend the action / adventure angle around factual characters (Marcus Arurelius and his son Commodus), but away from their factual life realities, Maximus is the favorite Son, and Commodus the unmoral blood, where the story is to much alike, or to much a coincidence with its predecessor, The Fall of the Roman Empire; Stolen or Homage?
Ever since Blade Runner, Ridley Scott hasn't been able to rise the directorial quality that made him initially a young promise in the film industry, with Gladiator he came close (not matching the excellence level of his first 3 films, Gladiator is his best movie since Thelma and Louise), Scott's direction is elegant and visually rich, along with a pace that allows the story develops without any hesitation, the result values by own merits, from Germania to Rome it self, the landscapes are enhanced and enlightened by a magnificent photography that brings all the beauty of the surroundings, (Gladiator loss Best Photography against Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon). The amazing visually effects made possible the breathtaking grandeur of Rome, specially in its beating hard, the Coliseum, shown as it had never been seen before, the 360 degrees shot of the Gladiators entering the Arena is the visual climax of the film. Massive fights against barbarians, or strategy to survive the recreation of the battle of Cartage, the choreography stands approaching with realism and sense. Russell Crowe brings freshness to the all to used classic Hero (who's unbreakable in his believes of moral and honor), wining the Academy Award for Best Actor (even though Crowe's performance is excellent, his character was the most simple of the nominees, there for, he didn't deserved the praise). The supporting cast shines also, Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus, also brings something fresh to the also all to used pusillanimous villain. A short appearance by the late Richard Harris (one of his last films), in the indispensable Marcus Aurelius role, gives elegance to the cast, the also late Oliver Reed, brings sharpness to his last role: Proximo. Connie Nielsen as Lucilla does an O.K. job.
Gladiator posses one of very best music scores made in the last 30 years, composed by the great Hans Zimmer and the legendary Lisa Gerrard, the score is an absolute masterpiece, fresh, strong, solid, and complicated, (unfortunately, Gladiator's score loss the Academy Award against Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, an score that is nothing more than nice).
The DVD edition comes in a great transferring, widescreen edition with DTS 5.1 surround sound, and the excellent DTS ES 6.1 surround sound. The extras are worthy of watching them several times (I love the Trailers), specially the great documentary made for this DVD, Gladiators; Roman Blood Sport, gives more data and insight about this fighting class. A whole combo is what this version is.
Maybe not the best film of 2000, Gladiator is a great visual experience, certainly one of the best films of its year, and a great come back for the genre.

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator - A true silver screen masterpiece!
Review: In all respects, "Gladiator" is the perfect movie that should and does appeal to both men and women. For the men there is no shortage of blood, guts and gore, from the opening battle sequence between the Roman Northern Army and the barbaric Germans to the exceptional scenes in the gladiator's arena. For the women, of course, there's Russell Crowe. For all, this exceptional epic silver screen masterpiece brings to life the intriguing story, filled with deception, deceit and heroic valor, of a Roman General who was on the precipice of becoming the Roman Emperor who then, by a twist of fate, became a slave and slave who became a gladiator and a gladiator who defied the Emperor himself.

Few movies, with the exception of "The Lord of the Rings™" can truly compare with the epic nature of this film that tells its tale with such intrigue and a truly compelling plot that will keep the viewer on the edge of their seat from the opening sequence to the end credits.

Russell Crowe deserves all of the praise and accolades he earned for this film. He truly became Maximus for this film, in every aspect. Joaquin Phoenix played the part of the mentally unstable Commodus to perfection and the ever beautiful Connie Nielsen as Lucilla performed brilliantly. Richard Harris' brief but poignant appearance as Emperor Markus Aurelius serves quite poignantly in showing what a brilliant actor he was and his talents will be and are sorely missed in the film industry.

Director Ridley Scott who has brought forth such huge films as "Alien™," "Black Hawk Down™" and "Blade Runner™," shows his talents as an exceptional director quite brilliantly in this film and he deserves every last accolade he earned for this stunning and memorable film. The score for the film matches perfectly with every scene, lending brilliantly to the mood and atmosphere.

The premise:

Russell Crowe is Maximus; the Roman Northern General who as the film opens up is leading his army to the end of almost five years worth of campaigning against the barbaric Germans. In a brilliant and exceptionally well choreographed epic battle scene, the Roman army defeats the Germans and the campaign is finally over. Emperor Markus Aurelius is there to witness the final battle and he's more or less taken Maximus under his wing and thinks of him as his own son.

As Emperor Markus Aurelius knows he's dying he also knows that his only heir to the thrown, Commodus, is not a "moral" man and he doesn't wish for his powers as Caesar to pass to him. He asks Maximus to take the thrown but Maximus has to think about it for all he's thought of during this long campaign is to returning home to his wife and son to be a farmer. When Emperor Markus Aurelius tells his son Commodus that he will not be emperor, Commodus murders his father in a psychotic display lacking any true emotion for his father and conveying a more despicable outrage that he wouldn't be Caesar.

As Commodus' reward to Maximus for his many years of faithful allegiance to his father and to the Roman Empire, he asks Maximus but once to acknowledge him as Emperor and Maximus refuses; Commodus orders Maximus' wife and son murdered. He then has Maximus led off by Praetorians to be executed. As is Maximus' "talent" he is able to free himself from the Praetorians and begins the long journey home, only to find that his wife and son are dead.

Here is where this compelling story takes its surprising turn after Maximus buries his wife and son, he collapses on their graves, exhausted and depleted by the wound given him from one of the Praetorians. He is picked up by slave traders and taken to the Middle East where he is sold to Proximo, played brilliantly by Oliver Reed in his final role. Proximo is a former gladiator who fought his way to freedom and now runs his own games.

What follows from there is nothing short of one of the most brilliant and compelling epic stories to have ever been brought to the silver screen and DVD, in which Maximus, Roman General, becomes a slave and then a gladiator and ultimately the gladiator who challenged the Roman Emperor himself.

I highly recommend this masterpiece to any and all fans of this genre and who love what movie making is all about because "Gladiator" is one the "definitive" films of all time. {ssintrepid}

Special Features:

- Director's commentary from Ridley Scott
- Deleted Scenes, complete with Director's commentary
- Treasure Chest: A unique montage of additional footage cut to the powerful score
- Interview with award winning composer Hans Zimmer on scoring the film
- 2 Extraordinary Behind the Scenes Featurettes
- One of a Kind production diary by young actor Spencer Treat Clark ("Lucius")
- Special slide show featuring concept art and storyboards
- Photo gallery from Behind the Scenes of the "Gladiator" set
- Theatrical trailer and TV spots
- In depth production notes and detailed cast and filmmaker biographies

Rating:
Summary: Mars Needs Better Movies
Review: A predictable "ride" as maximus, the big strong, chisel-jawed hero, climbs his way up the ladder of opposition and difficulty, defeats his enemy, and gets to see his wife, in slow-motion, to some cheesy music. The universally evil and reprehensible Emperor sure made a good villain. No reason to sympathise for him at all. The best scenes, in my opinion, were such simply because of the difficulty of the production. For example, the battle bewteen Germanic tribes and Roman Legionnaires. Amazing battle. The scene amazed me, simply because i have not witnessed anything of that nature.

If hollywood can't make something original, or believable, then it shouldn't make anything at all. there are plenty of fine films that have already been made.

Good set design and costume dosen't make a good movie. Case in point: Titanic. Oh, but it makes money, i forgot about capitalism.

The movie was so incredibly tedious, it's very very hard, to give it a second viewing without simply fast forwarding to the action sequences..... which would belabor the question "why did i pay for all the scenes i don't want to watch?"

Want to see a good movie with elabourate sets and costume? Barry Lyndon. Want to see a good 'journey of the hero' movie? see lawrence of arabia. Don't waste your money patronizing Ridley Scott. He's fallen very far and in the process ended up dumbing down his "art" so far that every single Macho Man enjoys it. Watch ALIEN or the APPLE 1984 commerical and do scott a favor.