Gladiator

Rating:
Summary: Loved it!!
Review: This is a wonderful movie that is definately headed for the oscars. The acting is excellent, the plot and story is breathtaking, the scenery and just the way it was made was something that you just can not miss. The extra DVD with speacial feature's is also really cool. And for those of you worried about the violence just know if you can handle some of the gory episodes of the x-files you can handle this easy.

Rating:
Summary: Crowe is Gladiator!
Review: Ridley Scott is one of my favorite directors and does not disappoint with this movie. Russell Crowe is the hero in the story of Maximus, a former Roman general who seeks revenge and redemption for Rome.

The characters are pretty broad, but the cast is enjoyable to watch. Joaquin Phoenix chews plenty of scenery ("I am vexed.") but gives a twisted, juicy portrayal of Commodus, the ruler of Rome.

The disc is a good value, with the commentary track by Ridley Scott and others being worth the price of admission. The transfer is pristine and the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack will rock the house. The battle and arena scenes are spectacular.

Enjoy this one with plenty of popcorn.

Rating:
Summary: VIVID STORY TELLING AT ITS BEST!
Review: GLADIOTOR is an excellent motion picture. I truely beleive that a movie like this is why they build movie theatres, a true credit to today's movies. I experienced "GLADIOTOR" at a THX CERTIFIED Multi-channel DOLBY DIGITAL Theatre, the perfect place to view a film of such scale. "GLADIOTOR" is the story of Loyalty, Betrayal, Deceit, broken love, and the demons that haunt a young man as he go's thru life having no choice but to murder innocent people, at the command of his master. Russel Crowe is very convinceing in the title role, and the supporting cast adds to the overall effect as well. The film is an omage to the films of the late fifties and early sixties, such as SPARTACUS and BEN HUR. Only this time, a bit more realistic, and with state of the art picture and sound. However, the pagendry and scope still prevails, alowing moviegoers of all generations to appreciate a work of art. The Cinematography is excellent, never have I seen the city of Rome photographed so well. Set designs are again flawless, buetiful. It is difficult to turn away from Ridley Scott's latest epic,who, by the way, hasn't fallen victim to the ravidges of the modern movie, which use sex and violence to lure their audience in. Instead, GLADIOTOR tells a story, one of pure excitment and majesty. The dvd sounds superb, filling the entire sound field, the music score masterly recorded and combined. Special effects mind blowing, well balanced wolfer and surrounds. Over all, GLADIOTOR is a film worth purchasing, and I wouldn't be suprised if it garners Oscar nominations. Deep where the patriot was shallow, concerned about the story more than its own revinue. Let this film be a lesson to Roland Emerich. Drive a movie with your mind, not with your wallet. HIGHLY RECCOMMENDED!

Rating:
Summary: My 1st DVD & It Was A Great One
Review: I am not much for movies and I had never seen one by DVD until Gladiator. I'm not sure if the breathtaking way the film was shot or the superb quality of the DVD audio and clarity, swayed my opinion of this film, but I certainly enjoyed taking it all in. The mixtures of fiction and fact were well done. I was surprised to learn Oliver Reed (the slave owner) had died during production. This was truly an epic.

Rating:
Summary: Best movie of the Summer
Review: This movie gave me chills! Yes, this is perfect for action fans who want to see gruesome and bloody battles between gladiators, and yet it was built on a deep plot. Unlike most action films, this one isn't as easy to predict the outcome. Maximus, the hero, travels far in quest for revenge and freedom. You won't be bored through the entire movie.

Rating:
Summary: Battles to the Top (4.75 stars)
Review: For starters, I loved the movie when it was in theaters so it should be no surprise that I love the DVD. The opening battle scene is phenominal and the transfer to DVD is amazing. From the dark opening scenes in Germania to the beauty of the city of Rome--the cinematography is breathtaking. Russel Crowe is perfect as Maximus, he is a great actor in a career defining role. While he kicked but and took names in L.A. Confidential, he simply annihilates everything in his path as Maximus; while earning the respect of his soldiers as a general and peers as a slave turned gladiator turned hero.

Joaquin Phoniex did a fine job as the revolting Caesar who cries and whines for respect he does not deserve. All of the actors were great and the film from beginning to end is truly a masterpiece of modern filmmaking. The spiritual framing sequences of Maximus in the the wheat (?) were a nice touch as well. The only thing holding back from a 5 stars is the movie was a little slow at times.

An adrenaline pumping heart wrenching story. If you own a DVD player, buy this DVD. If you don't own a DVD Player-buy one just so you can appreciate this amazing DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Epics Revisited
Review: Back in the late 50's and early 60's Hollywood tended to churn out one major epic per year. Usually they were historically based pieces and often featured Charlton Heston in the starring role.

To his credit Ridley Scott has taken the simplest of stories and, aided by modern technology, has produced a thundering good movie in the best tradition of Ben Hur.

It is a long time since moviemakers visited this genre but it has been worth the wait.

If the box office success is any guide then, quite clearly, the events portrayed in the movie have not lost their appeal. We may lay claim to civilization but find the prospect of recreational bloodletting just as appealing as 'the mob' which frequented the Circus Maximus.

The serial killer is dead! Long live the gladiator!

Rating:
Summary: Gladiator : In more ways than one.
Review: I recently baught this movie because i love dvd's and i love to excersie the power of my home theater system. Gladiator has one of the best Surrond sound tracks i have ever heard, I kept looking behind me because i thought somone was shooting arrows at me or that there was a tiger behind me, I watched this dvd on my 27" wega with my family and friends, it kept getting applause for the picture quality and sound.

Techie stuff aside. Its been a long time that a movie like this has came out that can really depict the nature of the Roman Empire, with the additional cg elements and the heart pounding at times and soft at other , Hans Zimmer score, this movie is damn near perfect. Watch it once for the movie, Another time for the commentary, Another time again ... and then put in disc 2 . ill leave you to that.

Rating:
Summary: An epic masterpiece that lives up to the hype.
Review: "Gladiator" is one of those rare blockbusters that actually lives up to the hype. Produced in the mold of old fashioned Hollywood epics like Ben-Hur, Cleopatra and Spartacus, this film was every bit as spectacular as they used to make them in the heyday of the studios. With a lavish budget and an eye for detail, director Ridley Scott ("Alien", "Blade Runner", "GI Jane") combines the splendor of ancient Rome (brought to life in stunning detail through awesome, computer generated visual effects) with a human story of gripping intensity, to create one of the most complete entertainment experiences I can remember in quite some time.

The story involves the fall from grace of Maximus, a famous general of the Northern Army whom Marcus Aurelius favors over his own son for succession to the throne. When Marcus dies before making this wish known, his son Commodus is elevated and orders Maximus killed. Maximus escapes his executioners, but is taken as a slave and turned into a Gladiator. This sets up a dramatic confrontation between Maximus and Commodus in the Roman Coliseum.

This is an ingenious meld of fantasy and reality that plays fast and loose with historical fact. Marcus Aurelius was, in fact, a roman Caesar during the period in question. His portrayal as a kind and thoughtful leader was accurate. He would come to be known historically as the "Philosopher King" and the "Benevolent Dictator". He was also a great military leader and conqueror. Commodus was altered considerably from historical accounts, but the essence of his evil and egocentric personality was well represented. By historical accounts, Commodus was fair and blond. He was not the sniveling brat who avoided battle as he was portrayed. In fact, he fought by his father's side for the last five years of Marcus Aurelius' life. Nor was he passed over by his father for succession. Marcus was proud of Commodus and named him Caesar at the age of five. He publicly named him as his successor at seventeen.

It is universally accepted that Marcus Aurelius died of plague in March of 180 A.D. and not as depicted in the film. There is no historical record of any general named Maximus. Commodus died in a carefully planned coup d'etat, strangled in his bath by a gladiator named Narcissus. This is also at odds with events depicted in the film.

Despite these inaccuracies, much of this film maintained a great deal of historical authenticity. Commodus did indeed cease the conquering wars and focused on gaining favor with "the mob", a derisive term used by the Patricians to describe the masses. He would give away food and other gifts and hold extensive games to keep them amused. He was also wildly popular for personally fighting gladiators in the arena, just as depicted. He was a ruthless dictator, who had numerous attempts made on his life, and he routinely had Senators and other enemies executed. His was a reign of terror and debauchery that rivaled that of Caligula.

The most impressive feat of historical authenticity was the computer generated views of Ancient Rome. These were done in meticulous detail and consistent with what is know from records and ruins. The costumes were also precise and authentic, as were the battle tactics seen in the opening battle. This film brings Ancient Rome to life in a way that is more realistic than ever before.

The story was a cross between the story of Commodus and the story of Spartacus. Spartacus was a roman soldier who deserted and who was taken into slavery, later becoming a gladiator and then the leader of a slave uprising against Rome. (For those who enjoyed "Gladiator" and have never seen "Spartacus" starring Kirk Douglas, I highly recommend that you dig it out of the rental stacks.)

This film was a directorial masterpiece. Though the battles were intense, the graphic violence was understated without losing effect. Scott uses strobe photography to intensify the battle scenes rather than showing a great deal of gore. Scott chose to emphasize the human story, binding us to Maximus emotionally through excellent character development. This is a classic struggle of good against evil that turned the viewer into a devoted member of the Roman mob. It is a story that hooks you and doesn't let you go. Scott understood the importance of this and made sure that the human story didn't get lost in the spectacle.

The acting was superb. Russell Crowe is becoming bigger than life as a box office attraction, and with good reason. His performance was awesome, offering both physical and emotional prowess. Joaquin Phoenix was also deliciously evil as the self tormented Commodus. This breakout performance for Phoenix is Oscar worthy in a supporting role. At seventy years old, Richard Harris dusted himself off for yet another powerful supporting role as Marcus Aurelius.

The sound on the DVD was excellent and it included an entire second disk of extras, including an interesting featurette on the making of the film. It was enjoyable to have an opportunity to see another side of Russell Crowe. He always plays such dour characters that it is fun to see him continually mugging for the camera and telling jokes. It is refreshing to see that after all the fame he has enjoyed, he doesn't take himself at all seriously.

This film was off the rating charts. I deducted two points for historical inaccuracies and still gave it a 10/10. They don't make films like this anymore. Don't miss it.

Rating:
Summary: $10 says Jar Jar is in the missing scenes
Review: Impressive movie with great acting by Russel Crowe and Joachim Phoenix as the tacit Roman General vs. the nutty emperor. There are plenty of fight scenes, some great mano a mano action and some beautiful shots of Rome that make you wonder if you are in the right movie as the grey scale hits big.

The problem with this movie is that the greatly hyped special effects are used way too often. You almost expect Jar Jar to show up. And it seems particularly bloodless when a gladiator is cut in half, more than it would be if they used camera angles and visual trickery. Like other computer generated movies, this one leaves you with a headache at the end. So when Russell Crowe gasps "your son is safe", you don't have time to ponder exactly how safe is a kid whose a member of the Roman royal family where the average life span is 8.