Rating: 
Summary: Braveheart visits the coliseum
Review: Gladiator is a big budget film with great actors and amazing special effects that falls just short of the mark.Russels Crowe is one of my favorite actors and I was hoping that he would come out swinging in this movie. Unfortunately, he did a far better job as a psychotic in Virtuosity or a mean cop in LA Confidential. Unlike Mel Gibson in Braveheart, he does not carry the role of an inspiring leader credibly. His impassioned speeches lack punch and you never build up enough respect or empathy with his character for him to have sufficient emotional appeal. Part of it was bad dialog and part of it was his raspy voice (he sounds better when he tries to be menacing than he does trying to be grandiose). One area that is hard to fault are fanastic visual effects. Each scene is well conceived and laid out beautifully. The fight sequences are superbly choreographed and exhilarating to watch. Too bad there are so many interuptions between them. One area that they apparently skimped on the budget was the script. It appears that they just recycled the Braveheart script with some minor updates. One of the driving forces behind Russell Crowe's character is his desired to avenge his wife and son. In Braveheart this was an effective device because you got to know his bride beforehand. However, this portion of Gladiator was rushed and ineffective ... leaving the rest of the movie a little dry and unmoving. Overall, you will spend a lot of time bored during this movie waiting for the next great fight. For those that like the film, the DVD is a pretty good buy. The commentaries are interesting if you want to know how the film was conceived and the two additional features are more than the standard pre release commercials, they actually talk about some of the more interesting aspects of the movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Ridley Scott need I say more
Review: A power house thriller right to the very end it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time, very good acting Russel Crowe (maximus) is the perfect person to play the gladiator just because he he has that get the hell away from me look about him he should at least get best actor noninations he may not win it but he is worthy of it. this movie is in my opinion for best picture now I say this after seeing the patriot I have decided that Gladiator is my new choice for best picture. I going to honestly say that when I saw the previews for this movie I was not to thrilled about it I thought the movie would suck at the box office but I was wrong. now after my brother Mike wheless bought it and told me that is was a great movie I now belive him The director ridley scott with his genius directing powers he did a great job on this movie so if you have not see this movie go rent it or buy it because it is a great movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Movie
Review: Gladiator was a wonderful movie. If you love the old classic EPIC movies you'll love this. From the begging to the end the movie keeps you glued to the screen with masive battles, poetic dialog, and romance. Not to mention the special effects are amazing, you really get a since of rome's true grandur. All in all BUY IT!
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator
Review: This was a film I enjoyed much the same as movies of the old spectacles . Good story and well made, well acted and a treat to the eye.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator
Review: Heroism. Honor. Loyalty. Sorrow. After seeing this movie, all things that come to mind. Never seeing it on the big screen I was blown away watching this at home. One of the best stories I have seen since Braveheart, I watched this on the edge of my seat. The cinema photography of the opening battle to the end was as captivating as the story itself. An intense story blending history with fiction, you can immerse yourself into the time. Feel things that might have been felt, by those who were actually there. Just remember, it's still just a story.
Rating: 
Summary: A poor movie in the guise of an epic
Review: Gladiator is a poorly directed movie with a weak script. The opening battle scene is horribly stylized and crude, consisting of scenes repeated at different angles and obvious use of computerized graphics. The gladiatorial combat scenes consists of quick cut-aways and unneeded close-ups which hide detail. A non-action scene in the movie involves a sequence of long, weary, and meaningless dialogue. The characters, especially Commodus, are poorly written for while the plot lacks structure. Russell Crowe does give a strong performance, which somewhat saves the movie. Ultimately, if we compare Gladiator to a good movie in the genre, such as Braveheart, its shortcomings become apparent.
Rating:
Summary: A Collector's Item
Review: I've had this dvd for almost two weeks now, and have seen the movie over 6 times. An excellent choice for people who value great movies. The Bonus disc has extra scenes that were fantastic. Although it would have been nice if those scenes were inserted directly in the movie. Overall, i think that its an excellent selection.
Rating:
Summary: THERE WAS A DREAM THAT WAS ROME
Review: SIMPLY ONE OF THE BEST FILMS EVER. I GROW TIRED OF CRITICS WHO PAN FILMS LIKE THIS BASED ON THEIR HISTORICAL ACCURACY. IT'S A MOVIE PEOPLE. ENJOY IT FOR WHAT IT IS. RUSSELL CROWE TURNS IN A SPECTACULAR PERFORMANCE. EVERY GLANCE AND LOOK TELLS THE AUDIENCE THAT THIS IS AN ACTOR IN A PART THAT WAS MADE FOR HIM. WONDERFUL SOUNDTRACK FROM HANS ZIMMER AND BEAUTIFUL VOCALS BY THE SINGER OF THE DEAD CAN DANCE AND YOU HAVE A MOVIE THAT BEATS THE CRAP OUT OF LAUDED OSCAR CONTENDERS LIKE ERIN BROKOVITCH AND PAY IT FORWARD. LEADS IN ACTION MOVIES RARELY GET THE OSCAR NOD BUT CROWE SURELY DESERVES IT. ROMA VICTA!!!
Rating:
Summary: Monumental! A Truly Epic Achievement
Review: Gladiator is everything that a modern epic film should be. This film is a towering triumph that will not soon be forgotten. It features a very well-written script, amazing visuals, incredible moments of both action and drama, as well as absolutely stellar acting performances from the entire cast. Russell Crowe established himself as one of the best actors in the world today, with his commanding and emotionally powerful portrayal of Maximus, who is a hero in every sense of the term. Crowe deserves every accolade that he gets for his marvelous performance, which was by far one of the most commanding and heartfelt performances I have ever seen in a movie. Crowe's work in The Insider and L.A. Confidential made him a legitimate star, while his role in Gladiator cemented his position as one of the most prominent leading actors in Hollywood today. Crowe, an avid horseback rider, even did many of his own stunts in the movie. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a breakthrough performance as Commodus, the emotionally conflicted son of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, played by veteran actor Richard Harris. Phoenix's performance demands sympathy as well as hatred from the viewer, with gripping emotions as well as an ever-present sense of jealousy and spite. The late, great Oliver Reed(who died shortly before filming wrapped), put the finishing touch on a storied career with his performance as Proximo, the slave ower who helps Maximus regain his freedom. Connie Nielsen, a relative newcomer, also delivers an excellent performance as Commodus' older and wiser sister, who has had previous involvement with Maximus. The visuals in this movie are absolutely stunning, as ancient Rome is brought to life like never before with some absolutely amazing computer-generated visuals, as well as painstakingly crafted sets. Scenes of battle in this movie are graphic but never overindulgent, and convey a sense of the brutality that must have existed during this time. This movie is grand in both story and scale, and visuals serve to reinforce the strong acting by providing an unbelievable backdrop for the story. Ridley Scott, who is a master of skillful character filming, does not disappoint in what many people consider his finest film to date, as his skillful camera work gives a deep insight into the emotions of every character in the film. Gladiator is truly an epic achievement. Dreamworks did an excellent job with the Gladiator DVD, with some of the cleanest audio and video transfers I have seen on the DVD format. This movie was meant to be watched on DVD as the enhanced picture and sound really serve to heighten the experience of watching this movie. The DVD also contains nearly 4 (yes, four) hours of bonus materials including 30 minutes of deleted scenes, an HBO first look special, several commentaries, as well as a 50 minute documentary from the Learning Channel called: Bloodsport of a Gladiator, which examines the lives of actual Gladiators in ancient Rome. The inclusion of a journal by young actor Spencer Treat Williams, (who plays Lucius, the eventual heir to the throne of Rome)is n especially welcome addition. The DVD actually devotes a second disc solely to the special features. The Bottom Line is this: Gladiator is a true modern epic, one of the best films ever made. It features incredible acting, a gripping storyline, and absolutlely stunning visuals. This movie is a must-have for any DVD collection. Movies just don't get much better than this.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Movie You Can See
Review: I saw Gladator is spring. This movie was not over-rated to the smallest bit. It had EXELLENT graphics, sound and good actors. Rome looks very real. The movie is violent, but it is also(in a way, i didnt cry) sad. The music went perfectly with the movie.
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