Rating: 
Summary: My first DVD and it's so prestigious!
Review: The DVD experience of this movie is amazing. And they really put lots of things in this 2-disc set. I keep watching it over and over again and just cannot have enough. Thought they might put the official website in though. (to be complete) Are they going to release a PC game in the future? I would if I am a game company.No movie is flawless. And even a movie doesn't have flaw, would it really provide viewers with something wonderful? In my opinion, Flawlessness is not a major factor which makes a movie look great. Gladiator is truly something people have never seen before. Some old people have seen Ben Hur and Spartacus 30 years ago. But think about that technology and maybe the form of movie art have changed since then. 'Why can't Star War Episode I be made years ago?' In spite of a straightforward story (Is this really bad? Maybe not. I've had enough of the Sixth Sense.) and some 'intentional' factual errors (Somehow this is a movie, not a history book!), there are too many other excellences which render those so-called flaws negligible. The battles, the characters, the CGI visual effect and the score. All make watching this movie an unforgettable experience. It's really a successful combination of art, technique and entertainment. BTW, I strongly suggest that watching it by yourself. And don't let bad TV or cheap speaker spoil the experience
Rating: 
Summary: A hero has arisen!!!
Review: Russel Crowe is Maximus, the Spanish-born General who has brought the Roman empire its final victory against the barbarians. Now with Roman rule stretching out across the world, and knowing of Ceaser Marcus Aurelius' desire to return the rule of gov't to the Roman Senate, Maximus seeks only to return to his family. Everybody has other plans however. Corrupt Senators who prefer the old way, and the emperor's amoral son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), want the popular general to support their plans for Empire, while the sage Aurelius (Richard Harris) tags Maximus to head an interim government with the aim of restoring the supremacy of senatorial rule. Dispatching his father and naming himself Ceasar, the evil Commodus orders the deaths of Maximus and his family. Escaping, Maximus reaches his family in time to witness their brutal murders at the hand of Roman soldiers, before he is enslaved and sold to Proximo (Oliver Reed). Once a gladiator, Proximo now trains other slaves to fight in the crumbling arenas of the empire's fringe-provinces. Not revealing his identity at first, Maximus bides his time, knowing he will eventually reach Rome and revenge himself. Distinguishing himself in the arena (he brings teamwork to the other gladiators who are supposed to fight for themselves), Maximus has his wish and returns to Rome where he gives Ceaser Commodus a rude shock. Winning the hearts of the Romans (if spectators of the brutal games can be said to have any heart), Maximus becomes a larger figure in Roman society as a slave than a general, looming larger than the emperor himself. Becoming desperate as his subjects begin to idolize the gladiator, the ever grim and demented emperor resorts to ever more severe measures to undermine the ex-general both within and without the coliseum. I didn't want to see "Gladiator", but Russell Crowe and Director Ridley Scott won me over. While Scott gets a lot of mileage out if his charachters, none of whom are really defined, it's his vision of the Empire (c. 180) that makes the film. Sure we know it's all CGI, but Scott's trademark touches (smoky light, bustling crowds, and constantly having something - whether smoke, garlands, rolls of bread or snowdrifts) create an ambient setting that is either cold, or hot, dry and sandy or swampy, but lways enveloping. Like the spanish general, Russel Crowe conquers the film as the brooding Maximus, the husband of a murdered wife, father of a murdered son and redeemer of the enslaved empire of Rome.
Rating:
Summary: A worthwhile buy
Review: Maybe I am somewhat biased because I like this time period of history, but I thought this was a great movie. The special effects at times were a little obvious and unrealistic-looking, but overall they did a great job. The bonus disc has some great extras that add a lot to the viewing experience. I would recommend this movie to people who liked Braveheart, but don't expect Maximus to be William Wallace. They are completely different movies, but you could see similarities between the two movies. In any case, Gladiator has action, romance, and some great dramatic scenes that should be appealing to most movie enthusaists.
Rating:
Summary: Movie with the perfect plot and cast...
Review: I first saw this movie in the theater, and since purchasing it I've probably watched it at least five or six times. It is absolutely amazing! Russell Crowe is great in the lead role, and his character of Maximus has to be one of the all time best film heroes. The film not only has those spectacular battle scenes, but it also has a lot emotion added into the plotline. Meanwhile, Joaquin Phoenix is so chilling as the evil leader of Rome, Commodus. He is one of the worst "bad guys" I have ever seen in a film. The entire cast is great, the plot is fascinating, and the ending was a perfectly fitting end to the movie.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST MOVIE EVER!!!!!!
Review: This movie is not scary, but action filled, and you can't stop you have to watch it from the beginning to the end. It may be bloody but the story of how a General became a slave, how a slave became a Gladiator and how a gladiator defied an emperor entraps you into the best movie ever made!!! From the music to the action this movie was made to be a sell out!!!! It is my favorite movie of all times!!!
Rating:
Summary: Another 90's action film I thought...
Review: Great combination of drama and modern hi tech special effects. Ridley Scot's best so far.
Rating:
Summary: Best Movie Of The Year!
Review: Ridley Scott must have known something that nobody did. That an Ancient Rome-themed movie could sell big bucks at the box office again. Do you remember way back when (40 years ago) when gladiator movies were so popular? Well, never has the time period looked better than it does in Scott's much praised masterpiece. Russell Crowe gives the best performance of his career to date. (Oscar on the horizon) But what the gladiator movies lacked so long ago was a believeable plot. So Ridley Scott fixed that by giving Gladiator one of the best story lines of the year. The 3 hour epic keeps you content during every minute.
Rating:
Summary: One fantastic movie
Review: This is definetly one everyone will be talking about in years to come! The story takes place in Ancient Rome, around 180 A.D., when chariots were still racing, and the Empire was still common. Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) is dying and he has to pick who will be the new Emporer after he dies. So when he comes to the decision to make General Maximus (Russell Crowe) the new Emporer, his awful son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) gets jealous because he thinks he's more worthy than Maximus, so Commodus seeks revenge, in the most evil, horrible way you can imagine. And that's just the beginning! Even though this is by far my favorite movie, I must admit that there is A LOT of bloodshed, so if you have children and you don't want them exposed to this kind of violence, I recommend that you make them steer clear of this one. Yet, this would be a good history lesson, because that's how it was back then!
Rating:
Summary: Breathtaking
Review: Not only is this a great action movie, it even has a historical value. Most of the reviews here are written by Americans and a was a bit sceptic too when I went to see the movie because of the fact that the movie was directed by Ridly Scott (an American). I must say, Ridley did his research more than adequate. Coming from Europe (and thus having visite Rome more than once) I was impressed how accurate the city of Rome was reproduced. I was amazed by the look of the Colosseum (that now still partially stands in the center of Rome). Americans tend to forget the influence of the Roman Empire. Well I can say that Europe wouldn't be what it is today if the Roman Empire hadn't existed.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: (Note: This is a review of the VHS version, not DVD. If anyone has a DVD player, they can give it to me if they want.) First of all, this movie is pretty gory. Most of it happens so quick that you won't have time to look away, though, so it's not that hard to take. But make sure you tell the kiddies to go play with their barbies or something. This will scare the wee ones out of their wits. They'll cry to you hours into the night, you won't get ANY sleep. and your day will be lousier. The best part of the movie is how it truly captures the terror of being a gladiator. That must've been a horrible job. But those are also the most gory parts, so be warned. I though the movie overall was a good experience. I was satisfied when it ended, but I wasn't all that emotionally touched. Just satisfied, basically. Also, the movie is sort of long, which I felt it was just so it could say it was "an epic." I feel it could've been shortened down a tad bit (maybe take out the subplot about the incestous relationship between Caesar and his sis).
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