Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: Belongs up there with "Spartacus" and "Ben Hur"
Review: This is an extraordinary epic which takes place at the end of the reign of the Antonine emperors. OK, so they do fudge history, but so what? It's a magnificent story of a fictional character (a Roman General named Maximus, played by Crowe) who comes into contact with historical characters, such as Marcus Aurelius and his ignominious son, Commodus. There are also allusions to the great Roman orator Cicero (his name bequeathed to Maximus' servant) and the Gracchus brothers (Gracchus is the name of a benevolent senator in the film). There are also some nice references made to the Battle of Zama (in 202 - defeat of Hannibal), Antony & Cleopatra and Cladius Caesar.

Perhaps the greatest accomplishment of the film lies in its depiction of Aurelius & Commodus. Aurelius is seen as a magnificent and magnanimous leader; history remembers him as the closest anyone has ever come to Socrates' "philosopher king." Commodus is just as accurately portrayed as the vile, corrupt ignoramous that he was. During his reign, there was a rumor which spread thru all of Rome that Aurelius' wife had had an affair with a sailor. According to the scuttlebut, Commodus was the result of the episode; the Romans simply refused to believe that a man so despicable as Commodus could come from the loins of the noble Aurelius. The presentation of his character in this movie brings that out exceptionally well.

This is yet another instant classic directed by the creative genius of Ridley Scott. The film is well done & the sets take you back to the height of the Roman empire. For background information on this period, I would recommend reading Marcus Aurelius' stoic "Meditations" as well as Michael Grant's "The Antonines." The latter book covers this epoch of Roman history. These are not essential, but do offer a nice backdrop as to what's going on during this age. They could very well increase the viewer's enjoyment of this marvelous visual spectacle.

Rating:
Summary: Flawless Production
Review: This movie is one of the best I have seen in a long time. It tells the tale of one Maximus Decimus Meridius, a Spanish General of the Roman Army in the year 180 A.D. After winning a great battle against the barbarians, the old king, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris), decides to make this brilliant general the Caesar of Rome upon his death. He says that he will be ideal because he has not been corrupted by Rome's politics. However, Aurelius's son, Commodus, Maximus's friend, is jealous at the Spaniard and kills his father, and thus he seizes control of the Roman Empire. He orders Maximus and his wife and son killed. Maximus kills nearly half a dozen soldiers and escapes, but his family is crucified. After he escapes, he is captured by a man who organizes gladiator fights to turn a profit. Maximus was to participate in one of these events; he won. Not only by staying alive did he achieve victory, but he also won over the crowd. Then he is sent to Rome, where he has his chance to fight back at the emperor who killed his wife and son. The acting is excellent all around, especially Crowe and Phoenix. The scenery and costumes are all outstanding, bringing the Roman Empire to life. The DVD is simply amazing, with great sound and picture quality, plus deleted scenes. This movie is nothing less than a classic; an epic. It is definitely worth purchasing here.

A fine combination of literate messagery and light entertainment. Worth a look.

Rating:
Summary: Hollywood Thinks About Itself
Review: This is one of those rare moments when Hollywood makes an attempt at self reflection. The narrative depicts the rise to power of the "General who became a slave, who became a gladiator, who defied the Emperor." One gets the sense, though, that the film is not just talking about General Maximus but is really a loose allegory for Hollywood's political influence.

This well told story is about a General who (unwillingly) becomes the Roman equivalent of a Hollywood actor (albeit without the perks). From his new position as an entertainer, Maximus is able to carry enough political weight with the people to ultimately defeat the corrupt ruler. To say it another way, the central motif of the movie is this: Because entertainers have access to the masses, political power is most effectively wielded as an entertainer. And so Hollywood, as embodied in Maximus, ultimately portrays itself as the savior of democracy and presumably, therefore, the savior of mankind.

Interestingly enough, Gladiator's examination of the relation between entertainment and political power comes near the end of the term of a President who has had more than the normal amount of connections to Hollywood. One can't help but wonder about the real life connections between politics and entertainment. Perhaps the arena is not far off after all.

Rating:
Summary: A lost chance
Review: How about this: General Maximus has just concluded the last significant campaign the Roman Empire will fight for a long while, succesfully. His men adore him, and so does the Roman populace. He is a hero, and at least out there in the field he should be untouchable. On the eve of his victory, Emperor Marcus Aurelius, out to supervise the campaign in Germany himself, is murdered by his own son (for obvious reasons), and Maximus notices that. Instead of launching an investigation, he, the victorious general, at the orders of the emperor's son, is abducted by the very soliders who adore him, for an attempt to assasinate him. He escapes, and travels back to Italy to protect his wife and children from the new Emperor's wolves. He finds them crucified (after a journey thru lands that do not exist anywhere between Germany and Italy) at his own estate. Now, no soldiers have been waiting to intercept him there (which would have been the obvious thing to do) and he feels free to collapse from despair and faints (or takes a nap). A slave trader who happens to pass by picks him up right there while he is still in coma, and without interference from the authorities, abducts him to Africa. Note that this happens in central Italy, right in the heartland of the Roman Empire (for Christ's sake!)

Does any of this strike you as odd?

The plot goes on in this manner. Some people have critized the historical inaccuracy of this film, and that may be as it will. But the plot in its own inherent (il)logic is already so bad that worrying about historical facts is vain. The plot is so bad that despite spectacular fights and CGI-type reconstructions of old Rome, I was tempted to switch off. This film is a disgrace, and an insult. How stupid do you think your audience is, Mr. Ridley? With a gigantic Hollywood budget at hand, you had a chance to resurrect old Rome in all its glory, and offer a satisfying and plausible story along with it. You have completely wasted that chance.

For those still considering watching it, here is my recommendation: do so at your own peril, and only if all you care about is action and - admittedly - breathtaking reconstructions of the eternal city. Otherwise you will end up one upset ticket-buyer.

Rating:
Summary: Commodus for President
Review: I think that this is a wonderful movie. It truly demonstrates how people like Commodus come into power. My favorite line is where Commodus rides up and says "Father, did I miss the battle?". His father responds, "No son, you missed the war."

Kind of like George Bush hiding out in the National Guard.

Great ending to the movie however,,,I can't wait.

Rating:
Summary: Academy members, read this!
Review: This movie might be a tad long, and some of the dialoge may be less than intriging, but overall, Gladiator is a top-notch movie. Reason #1: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, and all the others are all at their best. Reason #2: Gladiator is not one of those kill, kill, kill movies where all you think about is who will die next. Although there are some of those "I think I'm gonna hurl" moments, there is a lot more to this movie. Reason #3: Ridley Scott & Co. do a good job of recreating Rome as it might have been back in 180 A.D. This is a movie that, I think, will win these Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor-Russell Crowe, Best Supporting Actor-Joaquin Phoenix, Best Director-Ridley Scott, Best Visual Effects, Best Costume Design, Best Sound, and Best Choreography. That might sound like a bit much, but once you see the movie, I can almost promise you that you'll agree with me.

Rating:
Summary: Ridley Scott Did It Again!
Review: If you are a big fan of Ridley Scott's movies, Gladiator is another film that you should add to your collection. This movie depicts a story of a great man who fought with his life for the glory of the Roman empire and was betrayed by the new reigning Ceasar. Great story line and wonderful casts. Russell Crowe portrayed Maximus, a warrior who became a slave and defied the Emperor by winning the hearts of the people of Rome as mighty Gladiator.

Rating:
Summary: Terrific
Review: A wonderful film. Russell Crowe plays the great general, Maximus, who is sentenced to execution after the failing Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, chooses him to govern the empire rather than his son, who is morally unfit for the job. His son takes the news poorly, and takes steps to ensure he succeeds his father. Maximus escapes his executioners, but ends up enslaved and sold to an ex-gladiator (Oliver Reed) who now sends men into the pits to fight as their owner. Crowe is terrific, Reed turns in a solid, workmanlike performance (in his last role, he died during the filming and at least the last scene he is in was a neat bit of computer/camera trickery). An unapologetically violent film with the trademark Ridley Scott atmospheric direction. A must see.

Rating:
Summary: A must see, mostly for younsters.
Review: If you have seen big classic movies such as Spartacus, Benhur.. and experienced some touching script and the performance by actors or thespians of the past; and that you value those acting qualities or screen plays more than special effects and hi-tech action, then you cannot take 'Gladiator' very seriously in terms of elevating it to the level of classical grandor. It is just an extravaganza only modern computer technology and virtuoso can muster altogether. Just like 'Star wars' and its sequels. It only captivates you for the spectacular and swashbuckling effects. Here, the plot is good/bad type of things, very insular in its personal vindicta focus which connects nowhere to the Roman historical context. But it does entertain you for it is dramatic enough in its shallow plot and it is directed and exhibited very to the liking of today's audience who is so well accustomed to sound and visuals excellence of the big screen. Older generation of viewers might watch it and walk away without much lingering afterthoughts. Nevertheless, try not to miss it: you cannot expect any much better now-a-days.

Rating:
Summary: Rip-roaring Hollywood spectacle
Review: Stunning production values, a stirring score by Hans Zimmer, and exemplary performances by Russell Crowe and the always terrific Joaquin Phoenix make this film - one of 2000's biggest blockbusters - a must-have for any serious DVD collector. Hollywood doesn't get much better than this. The opening battle scene alone is worth the price of admission.

The bonus disc includes a sequence of scenes left on the cutting room floor with Ridley Scott's commentary and a montage of deleted scenes set to Hans Zimmer's score specially edited for this DVD.