Rating: 
Summary: Great flick
Review: When I look at a movie based on true, historical events, I look at it from two angles. 1. How accurate the movie is. 2. How enjoyable was it.From an entertainment point of view, this movie was fantastic. It kept we on the edge of my seat, and it offered a wonderful glimpse into the mind set of the Romans during the peak of their empire. The fight scenes were the best of have seen in any movie, and the plot was wonderful. From a historical point of view, this movie drives me nuts. Being a historical buff on the Roman Empire, I can't help it. The historical accuracy of this movie ended with the short blurb of text that appeared on the screen in the beginning of the movie. After that, the movie pretty much disrgarded the actual events, and continued on into a very enjoyable, but largely inaccurate story during the reign of Commodus. Enjoy this movie for what it is, a great story LOOSELY based on history.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and New
Review: Despite the fact that this movie takes a lot of it's cues from movies there's something about it that made it into the movie that it is, a completely captivating, intriguing, emotionally draining, and rather fun epic. The acting is superb, Crowe just eminates "suffering talented guy" and although he does nothing totally mindboggling he really does an overall fantastic job, better than any other this year. But the biggest surprise is Joaquin Phoenix. I'd never heard of him, as many people probably had never heard of him, till this movie. Then you leave saying "who IS that guy?". He's good everyone, and he makes you love him and really, really hate him. He emotes through entire movie, whether its hatred, lust, or this anonymous feeling that makes you pity him. Then there are the supporting characters that make this such an ensemble piece, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Richard Harris, they all do their part and make is superb. The cinematography is good; the score has some high points and low points; the plot twists in a way that would make Shakespeare proud. There are aspects of this movie that are new to the movie scene, such as some of the themes, acting styles, and plot twists, and overall it has this power to it that nearly blows you away. It sucks you in from the first scene and doesn't let go till the very last , very intense, scene of the movie . Bring a box of kleenex (honestly, seeing Russell Crowe WEEPING is enough to bring anyone to tears). This deserved every Oscar it got, and it tells a story we don't often hear, and it reminds us of what art can be.
Rating: 
Summary: just a good rental
Review: Hyped up too much and is extremely boring, but i have to admit the fighting are pretty cool but not enough to buy it...... maybe rent
Rating:
Summary: Another Rabid Gladiator Fan Speaks Up
Review: I've been reading the reviews here and decided to try and hit the 1000 mark with my deathless prose. I've been watching movies on the big screen for over 50 years now (don't ask!) and this is a masterpiece. Gladiator combines the sweeping lyrical vision of Ridley Scott with the powerful, emotion-packed acting of Russell Crowe, surrounded by a stellar cast and set in an awe-inspiring visual panorama. While Gladiator may not be perfect (there are some 'over the top' moments that jar) it's combination of heroic story, beautiful pictures and emotional score just sweep you along. Those who carp on historical accuracy have to admit that this is fiction, not a documentary. However, you cannot fault the beauty of this production. Nowhere are you jolted out of the period! While the script is spare, the sentiments expressed speak to the human heart. That's why so many are so taken with this film. The themes of nobility, dignity, honesty and love of family and country are timeless - as well as seen so rarely in modern films. Russell Crowe is truly the best actor working today. His emotional center holds this film together from pensive start to inevitable denouement. He is Maximus, with never a false note. When you start to see this again, and you will want to, watch for the 30 minutes in the heart of the story where Maximus says NOTHING! The story is being told by this amazing actor without him saying a word. The splendid supporting cast and attention to accurate visual details take us on the personal journey of a moral man, without preaching a belief or pandering to the lowest intelligence of the audience. I've seen this on the big screen numerous times, where it deserves to be seen, but if you must only see it at home, please get the dvd. Get a player for this if you don't have one! The beauty of this film will be appreciated for a long time. There was no greater justice than Gladiator being named best film of 2000 and the equal tribute to the talent of Russell Crowe, best actor of 2000. But the greatest injustice was leaving Ridley Scott empty handed at awards time - this is his masterpiece, and will be remembered as such. It seems obvious at first glance that this film will be enjoyed by men and boys, but Dreamworks and Universal missed the mark by not convincing women to see it too. It is NOT too violent, it is a very emotional ride that will entrance most women by the power of the love and devotion expressed by the lead characters. While the script has not been universally admired, I find it vindicating to see how much of the simple and noble sentiments of this story have entered modern idiom: "Strength and Honor", "At my signal, unleash hell", and "What we do in life, echoes in eternity." That, my friends, is the sign of a classic flick.
Rating: 
Summary: Gory
Review: The movie Gladiator is a good one and has a good plot. It is about a roman general who was about to become emporer when the emperor's son killed the emperor and attempts to kill Russel Crowe(The roman general Maximus) Maximus then becomes enslaved after his family is crusified. He becomes a gladiator for his owner Proximus and earns his way to the Collesium by defeating everone in his path. I won't tell you the rest. The movie has a good plot and keeps you on your toes. The battle scenes are great and so are the backstabbing liars in this movie. The battle scenes are also very gory and bloddy. Many people have their heads cut off and you can see their heads laying on the ground. So its a bit gross for your kids. The one thing I did not care for was some of the actors. I believe that some actors could have done a better part. Russel, old Caesar, and the slaves do well acting but some other actors do not. I watched this movie on VHS and its sound and picture was ok. Although watching this on DVD would be a lot better. This is another reason I rated it four stars. It was hard to hear and understand some conversations. All-in-all I would reccomend that you go and rent the movie first and than buy it because with this movie, you either hated it or you loved it. There was no middle.
Rating:
Summary: Excellente!
Review: Could learn lessons in strategizing and leadership as applicable to business from this movie. ;)
Rating:
Summary: Well deserved Oscars, wonderful film.
Review: Before I saw Gladiator, I had been very interested in historical epics like Braveheart or Ben-Hur. When I sat down and watched this movie with my dad and brother (please don't crucify me for watching it on VHS)I was afraid the script wouldn't be all that great and it may be too bloody. But this film left me awestruck by its power. Its grand sense of dignity, honor and passion, from the great Ridley Scott made for great entertainment. The script by David Franzoni, William Nicholson and John Logan was excellent, using old poetic dialogue to readily convey the proper feelings (By the way, John Logan is writing the script for the next Star Trek movie, so I'm sure it will be great). Other pluses were the beautiful sets and costumes, the great cinematography and special effects, a grand, moving musical score and the fabulous performances of Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Djimon Honsou, Spencer Treat Clark and especially Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe, whose brilliant performances highlited this film.I was very glad to see the movie win Oscars for Best Picture, Actor (Crowe), Costumes, Sound and Visual Effects, though I would have liked to see it win more. For anyone who likes action, drama, good dialogue, visual splendor and good characterizations, I highly reccomend this film. Strength and honor!
Rating: 
Summary: Shockingly bad
Review: I must have seen some kind of "director's cut" of Gladiator; that's the only way that I can explain the fact that everyone seems to like, or at least to tolerate, this complete waste of film stock. I've rarely seen a movie with a real budget that was more poorly written. Every line made me wince. And the historical inaccuracies are so widespread that it's really not possible to talk in any meaningful sense about this movie being a tale of ancient Rome. You'll probably like it, though -- everyone else seems to.
Rating:
Summary: Almost perfect.
Review: Okay, let's get the facts straight: GLADIATOR is a really good movie that had been very overhyped. The background of the film was specatcular, though I do think they went a little overboard with the setting, and the special effects/sound effects were amazing, too. After all, when my parents rented this video (they had turned up the volume, of course), I could hear the sound perfectly and clearly all the way upstairs in my closed bedroom! Talk about excellent sound effects. The acting was pretty supurb, too. Especially Russell Crowe. And I think he deserved the Oscar for Best Actor. Well...it's actually kind of hard to tell (especially that "affair" he had with actress Meg Ryan!). The action is awesome, too. But some of the Oscars I don't believe this film should have won. Sometimes, I believe the only reason this film won all those Oscars was because it was so overhyped and it hit big in the box office. But flat out, good film and definitely one that shouldn't be missed. I really enjoyed it and it gives accurate historical events and the setting and costumes make you feel like you've actually traveled back in time during the Roman Empire. Still, this film doesn't top my list of favorite films of 2000. Some of the other 2000 films that I enjoyed a lot more were ALMOST FAMOUS, BILLY ELLIOT, and CAST AWAY. It would probably be in my honorable mentions list. But GLADIATOR is definitely worth your money and you definitely have got to see this film!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films of the year!
Review: This was one film that I really enjoyed from start to finish. The DVD looks and sounds Fantastic if you have a Dolby Digital or DTS system. I have watched this movie at least ten times already. I really like the story of revenge against the Emperor. The coliseum looks great! Russel Crowe does such a superb job that I was quite happy when he won the Oscar for Best Actor. I really thought Ridley Scott would finally win an Oscar for Best Director, but again he gets the shaft. My friends come over all the time and this is the only movie they want to watch over and over. Of course this is more of a guy movie. My wife and her friends like it, but didn't love it. The second DVD has some really great deleted scenes that I thought should have been included. It is definitely worth buying.
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