Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator: The Best Movie
Review: This is the best movie. When i sat down to watch it, i excpected a gory,bloody movie with no plot line and bad actors(but good action.) When i finished i had loved it. It does have GREAT action but, the reason it is so good is this: Usuauly movies either have good action and bad actors + plot, or good actors + plot and bad action. This, had very good action, but it also had an enthralling plotline and GREAT actors. When i got out of the movie theaters, i relized that it was DEFINATly tied for my favorite movie(my other favorite one being dragon heart-cuz i have sentimentle value attached to that). But, this was an OUTSTANDING move and well worth the money. WELL WORTH THE MONEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So, if you are hesitating to buy it, hesitate no longer. Would you rather have that piece of paper with a number and a dead president on it, or an amazing, fun,action-packed movie? Ask yourself that question.

Rating:
Summary: A rare gem of a Historical movie..
Review: Finally a historical movie where American accents are no-where to be seen!

A visual treat and wonderful acting by all characters. The wonderfully evil Commodus, and the troubled but vengeful Maximus contrast beautifully.

Without doubt the star of this movie was the Costume and Set designers. Rome is re-created with Jaw-dropping spledor in the computer-generated fly-overs, the Imperial palace is luxurious and splendid, and the colosseum is incredible.

A tad too long perhaps, but a film worth seeing no doubt.

Rating:
Summary: Great Action Film
Review: "Gladiator" is a film that should suit all tastes. It is an expertly mounted and eye-filling event; the blood and gore, delivered in split-second imagery (allowing your head to fill in the rest) should satisfy the most blood-thirsty movie goer; and the story is a superb tale of good vs. evil, power vs. honor, and "Might for Right". I was reminded of "Camelot" many times during this film, especially by the almost unrecognizable appearance of Richard Harris as the wise and noble Marcus Aurelis. Joaquin Phoenix gives a bone-chilling performance as the evil and cowardly Commodus, who inherits the title of emperor upon his father's death. But the sole weight of this overwhelming piece rests on the shoulders of the magnificent Russell Crowe. If one doesn't believe in him, then one doesn't believe in this epic costume drama. Kudos to the rest of the cast as well, and hand over heart for the late Oliver Reed. But back to Crowe--he is an actor to contend with. His work in "Gladiator" is a tour de force performance; he very nearly sprays testosterone from the screen. It's what was exactly demanded from him in this role, and he exceeds expectations in that regard.

Rating:
Summary: A true masterpiece
Review: This movie has me grabbing tightly on the arm rest for over 2 hours. Its riveting storyline, exquisite acting by Russell Crowe and Joaqim Phoenix, and spectacular re-creation of Rome has made this movie a true masterpiece and be remembered as one for many years to come. If you like this movie, you will love ths Bonus DVD that comes with the package. It has the making, documentary on ancient gladiators, and much more.

I am very glad this movie has the won the truely deserved Best Motion Picture award at the recent Golden Globe Awards. Good Luck at the Academy Awards!

Rating:
Summary: Best Movie of 2000
Review: You name it, this picture's got it: action, adventure, romance, music, visual affects and scenes. From a happy, loving father who only wants to return to his son and wife, to a gladiator bent on getting his just revenge. Seeing a general who has just one a huge battle cry at the burned bodies of his wife and son is particularly jolting. How can any sentimental person not like him after seeing him cry? From the actions scenes with sword and tigers to the visual affects of the coliseum to Russell in a skirt, this movie is pure eye candy. One of my favorite details is the use of rose petals throughout the movie. Far better acting than Tom Hanks in Castaway (he doesn't even talk for an hour of the movie!) and definately deserves Best Actor awards.

Rating:
Summary: Excitement Personified
Review: Action! Action! Action! That sums up this thrilling movie.

The opening battle scene sets the stage for this intense film. It grabs your interest and keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire film.

Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a once-wronged soldier now fighting for justice. Ancient Rome was nicely replicated in this film, as I truly felt like I was one of the townspeople during the movie. The background setting and props used were fantastic, and they all added to the overall feel of the movie.

Crowe was exceptional. Not only did he look the part, but his acting was wonderful in this role. Joaquin Phoenix was downright scary in his excellent role. His evil, incest-loving character was portrayed perfectly, and frankly he made me hate him, so he did his job well. You could feel the intensity between the two every time that they were on the screen together.

The plot was a little shaky at parts, but it flowed rather nicely during the the long film. Throw in an amazing musical score by Hans Zimmer, and you have one complete film. The fighting scenes alone are worth the price of the video. These exciting scenes are tremendous and you won't be able to stop yourself from cheering Maximus along.

This film is exciting, action-packed, and yes, it is quite graphic. However, the thrill more than makes up for the gory details. Gladiatior will not disappoint.

Rating:
Summary: The Best Picture of 2000
Review: Gladiator is simply spectacular. Russell Crowe never even comes close to breaking character, while Joaquim Phoenix is fantastic as the scheming Commodus. SEE IT!

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Action Epic.
Review: I have to say that this is one of my favorite movies of all times. I was blown away when I saw it at the theatre. I now have the DVD and it is great. Lots of extras on the 2nd disc and the movie just gets better everytime I watch it. Ridley Scott wasted no time getting to the meat of the subject and left absolutely no lulls in this film. It is intense edge of your seat action from literally the first 5 minutes until the very end. I am a huge fan of Epic type films like this, The Ten Commandments, Ben Hur, etc. I hope to see more movies like this made in the future. AWESOME.

Rating:
Summary: "The Battles of Maximus"
Review: The recent dramatic epic "Gladiator" has already won two golden globe awards for it's stellar impact on the public. The idea of the plot seems to be an age-old one: a rags to riches biographical look at an innocent civilian who wakes up every day feeling very grateful to have that day. Named Maximus, he is nothing but one of the hundred slaves being held captive in a dome in Rome, forced to face bloodthirsty ravenous beasts topped off by tyrants swinging massive, sharp "spikeballs"(?), with only a common, everyday sword and shield supplied to him for protection.

Russell Crowe's character, Maximus, fully understands the danger that he is facing, but the stage isn't set for the product of what a warrior Maximus was. His appearance was a very quiet and unrelinquished one, he wasn't the sort of fighter who would talk and then try to walk, contrary to all of the other individuals who were faced with the same dangerous predicament and were killed off within an instant. He was afraid; he just didn't show it because, unlike other slaves, he knew that it did no help to show he was afraid. It was one man for himself; it was not a team effort. For this reason, Maximus not only was a physical gladiator, but he was a rare mental genius. This wasn't technically addressed in the movie: that he used brainpower to pull himself through what he did and not just reaction. Maximus soon gave himself an appearance that distinguished him from others after defeating some ten humans and several large cats. Once this happened and he was in the spotlight, he did not want to be any more well-known than he already was. Even when the emperor demanded that he identify himself, he hesitated.

Because of this, a tension builds between the emperor and Maximus, the fans beginning to favor Maximus' side more than the emperors for a change and even more emotion is thrown onto the shoulders of Russell Crowe. As he battles and battles for his life, no one is able to stop him and he becomes what Doug Weight is to professional hockey: feared and respected. Eventually, the emperor himself decides that he has had enough with Maximus and he decides to battle him to the death in a gripping and close fought dual.

Russell Crowe's performance seemed to be very "Oscar-worthy", showing a significant amount of emotion and feeling in his role as the gladiator that overcame all odds that were set against him. The battles in the movie settled out to be very intricate, where one mistake could and usually did cost you your life. In the dome, where lions were an added element, it was particularly entertaining to see them come out of compartments that had to have been activated by a warrior. The lions came at everyone like a shark in a puddle of blood. With the acting job done by Russell, it is a believable story, but it really could only ever happen once.

It went more in-depth with the weapons than it did with the gore, thankfully (not to imply that there is no gore at all). From the catapults to the flaming arrows to the lion contraptions. The transition of the time periods was just exceptional, bringing back the time period just as it was said to be. "Gladiator" really grabs you and pulls you in, and makes the unbelievable a reality.

Rating:
Summary: Big in scale, yet lacking in emotional involvement.
Review: In the year 2000, when movies seemed emotionless and stale, thousands of movie-goers cried out for one movie, one that would satisfy their long-parched taste for something on a large, epic scale. Ridley Scott's latest film, "Gladiator," takes a stab (literally) at this need, and succeeds for the most part. In terms of scale and wonder, the film is a very impressive and awe-inspiring achievement, one that leaps onto the screen with a roar instead of a whimper.

In terms of keeping audiences involved in its plot, there is something left to be desired. While the movie aspires to be like such epics as "Braveheart," it doesn't have the same emotional pull as that earlier film, nor is it as engrossing. You will drop your jaws over the spectacle of the film, but its soul will leave you untouched.

Taking historical time periods and working in a fictitious storyline can have its ups and downs. Here, the result is mostly a success, supposedly based on records from the actual days of Rome, about a man who started out as a general and went from being enslaved to being the most renowned gladiator to ever fight in front of an audience.

That general is Maximus (Russell Crowe), who, after a satisfying defeat of a Germanian army, earns him the role of successor to the emperor's throne after his forthcoming death. That death is expedited by the conniving Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), whose jealous rage over the emperor's decision leads him to having Maximus murdered. Of course, what kind of movie would allow that? He escapes, becomes the property of a man who puts his slaves into the arena for gladiator challenges.

Maximus sees this as a window back to Rome, where he may once again face his rival. But it is here that the story begins to place unneeded subplots and contrivances, and as a result, it loses its touch with the audience.

One of those subplots is a love relationship between Maximus and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Commodus's sister, which doesn't really take effect until his return to Rome. There was never any real reason to believe in a spark between the two of them in the beginning: Maximus had a wife and child to return home to (though they were later murdered), and Lucilla seems too devoted to her brother to be involved with anyone else. It seems as if the movie needs more emotional strings in the final third, and tries to throw something together, hoping for success.

An overabundance of fight sequences seems to drown the movie in testosterone, lessening any emotional impact we may feel at the end. Two sequences is enough for us to gather in what the days of Rome were all about, and each sequence is beautifully choreographed and staged for some very authentic and intense battle images. You may hold your breath in the beginning, but after a while, it tends to become redundant.

That's not to say the movie is a flop. By all means, no, for it is a breathtaking period piece that showcases just exactly what Rome was all about in the past. When I hear the word "Rome," one word comes to mind: colossal, and the film portrays it as such, from the stunning visual effects used to create the Colosseum, to the overall spectacle embodied in the costume designs, and even the score from composer Hans Zimmer, which, standing alone, could create the film on its own.

The cast also fits nicely into their roles. Russell Crowe is perfect as Maximus, the ideal hero for one of those roles that the actor is born to play from day one. Connie Nielsen is honest and convincing in her role as Lucilla, even if her character has little to do but watch as her hero faces certain death (and even then, her performance is high-caliber). Joaquin Phoenix is chillingly effective as a cold-blooded tyrant who is unconcerned with the welfare of his empire, but more involved with what their opinion of him is.

"Gladiator" is not completely heartless, but it lacks the same emotional intrigue of past epics that possess that same scale and scope of events. It's battle and fight sequences become a way of life by movie's end, but they are, nonetheless, visually stunning, as is the overall design of the film and the equally impressive acting. I was not moved to tears, but was left with a look of wonderment.