Gladiator

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Summary: Gladiator, Directed by Ridley Scott
Review: Few movies come along during our lives that make us stop in our tracks and take notice. The star-loaded action movies always grab attention but that is to be expected. Gladiator doesn't fall into that genre. Ridley Scott's epic of Roman General, Maximus (played by Russel Crowe) is a movie that commands attention. From the intricately detailed by battle sequences at the beginning to the monstrous recreation of Rome (albeit computer enhanced), Gladiator is every bit as good as the critics and media have praised it to be.

Since buying the DVD version shortly after Christmas, having seing it when it first came out in theaters in May, I've only enhanced my appreciation for it. As it says on the case " The General who became a slave. The Slave who became a gladiator. The Gladiator who defied an emperor." That is really all of the story that you need to know if you have not seen this film. To give any more away spoils the movie.

On the musical side, Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard composed a score that is as moving as it is dramatic. Nearly of the score coincides directly with key points in the film and add just that extra touch to the scene. I don't think there has been a score quite to match it in the last few years.

Comparisions with Braveheart and other movies like it are evident but this film stands on it's own. Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix (as Commodus) and Scott give their all in the movie of the year for 2000. Anyone who hasn't yet seen Gladiator owes it to themselves to purchase it. You won't regret it.

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Summary: Passion of the Ages
Review: This film spans the fathoms of the human soul, evoking every emotion found in the heart of man at every turn. It evokes the passion of the mob, and the scorn of the despised all in the same breath. Not just a tremendous special FX movie, but one with a beautiful story line. Both bold and ugly at the same time. It is the story which carries this movie all the way to the end. If you are a fan of Braveheart and other historical type films, this film is a must see and a must own. Don't miss it. You'll watch it over and over, and over again.

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Summary: This is not your father's Roman Empire movie.
Review: With the era of Roman Empire movies gone for so long, the public was aching for this movie so bad, but they didn't even know it, until they saw it. Thank god Ridley Scott has made an incredible movie that is not just something to fill that aching void. This movie is as epic and glorious as they come. The Roman Empire was built on brutal force and conquering of lesser civilizations. It is made abundantly clear in the beginning as the Roman army, in full force, take on the resisting Germanians (German Barbarians), with one commander stating 'People should know when they are conquered'. Russell Crowes character, The General Maximus, replies, 'Would you? Would I?' This sets the tone as Russell so skillfully plays a Military Hero who desperately wants to go home to his farm and spend the rest of his days with his family. In true Roman loyalty though, he is asked by the Ceaser to take his place, played very well by Richard Harris, who could easily leave this as his final role.

Maximus' journey from here is not a pretty one. Typical Roman behavior ensues. Murder, betrayal, lies, politics....Crowe plays his charater so well in placing Maximus' desires so close to reality. He is the one grounded personality in a pit full of snakes. It seems this movie takes place at a time closer to the fall of the empire. With that comes much political intrigue as well as bloody violence as the games get started. Vengance is the driving force behind Crowe's character. He plays it so well that for once, the villian, Joaquin Phoenix finally doesn't outact the hero. Nonetheless, everyone plays their roles so skillfully and the direction is still incredible. Ridley Scott hasn't had a project this juicey in years and he seemed to master every detail. The recreation of Rome is awesome, especially the Colliseum. A feat attributed to the incredible advancement of computer graphics. The atmosphere is almost that of any modern day sporting event, only more blood and no multi-million dollar contracts. Scott stays clear of Roman stereotypes like fig leaves and togas and gives a more realistic look at the Roman society. Dangerous, bloody, deceitful. Gladiator succeeds on so many levels that it was no wonder Scott was granted the job of bringing Hannibal Lecture back to the big screen. This timeless director of such great movies like Alien and Blade Runner seems to have found new motivation. The extra material alone is worth the price of buying this movie.

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Summary: A Rousing Epic.
Review: Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" is a roaring, romantic, moving spectacle about the glory that was Rome. This is a great film, one that brings back classic themes of the cinema that we haven't seen since the days "Spartacus" or "Quo Vadis" or even "Ben-Hur" stirred screen audiences. People have been waiting exactly for this kind of film for a long time. The purpose of a movie like "Gladiator" is to exhilarate the viewer and capture him with red-blooded drama and action. The screenplay by David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson barrows from other films and molds into a riveting story, a simple yet entertaining tale. Ridley Scott (Alien, G.I. Jane) directs with the eyes of a master, with great taste for epic material. The cinematography by John Mathieson is rich, making some scenes look like classic paintings of Ancient Rome. The editor is Pietro Scalia, who won an Oscar for Oliver Stone's "JFK," he creates some great, gritty, bone-crunching action sequences. And of course, the music by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard is effective, moving and a romping experience all in itself. "Gladiator" also works for women, it's not just a guy-flick, it has a nice, sensual feeling to the romantic material. This is fun, moving and enjoyable cinema. "Gladiator" will call you back for a second viewing.

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Summary: Strength and Honor
Review: What an outstanding movie! The acting, story and choreographed fight scenes were excellent. Russel Crowe has proven himself to be one of the greatest actors of our time with this superb performance. My highest praise goes to this movie, though, not for the aforementioned points, but for the portrayal of a man with honor and integrity, willing to die for what is right, for his country and for his honor. This seems lacking in our society today and it was refreshing to see such a great portrayal of the Roman Warrior Ethic (which is historically accurate). This will be required viewing for my children in a few more years.

The violence is too much for pre-teens, but I believe it is necessary to accurately and powerfully tell the story of the times in which it is told.

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Summary: FOR RUSSELL FANS
Review: Ok ya, Gladiator is a great movie... Acting, Scenery the works... but to all of u Russell Crowe fans who have been lookin for The Sum of Us cheap... email me: [e-mail] Buy it for $15 instead of $59.99

Rating:
Summary: May I Borrow a Cup of Celluloid
Review: Somebody gets the scripts of Ben Hur, Spartacus, The Fall of the Roman Empire, and Enter The Dragon. He spreads them all over the floor, picks out pages, and scrambles them all up together. Then, he gets the sound track from Zulu and adds it in.

Really, this is supposed to be a high budget flick. Yet, there are no original ideas in the plot. To add insult to injury, the damn German hordes at the beginning of the thing sound just like Cy Enfield's Zulu warriors from a truly great film. Can't Ridley afford to do his own sound? Does he have to use the track from Michael Caine's first big movie?

Russell Crowe is no Kirk Douglas. He is not Chuck Heston, not even Steve Boyd. And, he damn sure ain't Bruce Lee! A very average production.

Rating:
Summary: Detestable
Review: Just what we need. Hollywood has outdone itself. A new low in bogus history and gratuitous ultra-violence. It appears that our kids haven't yet been fed enough ignorance and callousness to human life. Excellent technical production, very good acting, corny script, and criminal intent by our commissars of popular culture. In a more enlightened society, the purveyors of this poison would be dragged from their Rolls-Royces and shot.

Rating:
Summary: A SERIOUS MUST SEE
Review: GLADIATOR Is GLADIATOR an action movie? Is it an historical drama? Is it a sweeping epic? Yes. This movie really makes you think, unlike other movies of its kind where all you do is sit there and ponder who is going to die next. Like BRAVEHEART, this is a story of a brutal era told with realism. This is a violent movie that shows our appetite for violence. This is the kind of movie that I love the most, one that leaves me with so much to say about it that I could write a book. If you havent seen Gladiator go see it, if you have do yourself a favor and buy it on VHS or DVD. You are really missing out if you dont. This is the kind of movie that movies were invented for. In AD 180, the death of Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius leaves a void at the height of Roman rule. Aurelius had told Maximus (played by Crowe) who is Rome's greatest general, that he, Maximus, should hold the emperor's power in trust after the ruler's death until the Imperial Senate can take the position of command. Aurelius relied on Maximus because he is a simple soldier, unskilled at lying and uncorrupted by politics. And Maximus, who loved the emperor like a father, agreed, but even said that all he really wanted was to go home to his wife and his young son. But the emperor's son, Commodus , takes control before Maximus even knows the emperor is dead, and the son has very different plans for the empire than his father did. He wants to save Rome from the politicians so he can rule Rome. Maximus escapes his own execution and then is captured by slavers and trained gladiator in a distant desert city, Maximus is then sent to fight in the Colosseum in Rome, where he at last has the opportunity to avenge both his emperor, Aurelius, and his family, slain by Commodus's troops. Gladiator is one of those movies that you can watch over nad over again. bleive me since buying the film on DVD i have watched at least ten times. every time i watch it i find something new to think about. There are so many small details in the film.

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Summary: :)
Review: Joaquin is lusty

For his Dad's job, Crowe's demise

And his sister's bod