Rating: 
Summary: GLAD TO HAVE SEEN IT!
Review: THIS MOVIE WAS GREAT. I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY ANYONE WOULD COMPLAIN ABOUT THE GRAPHIC VIOLENCE THOUGH. MAYBE YOU WANNA TRY A DISNEY FILM. THIS WAS FIGHTING IN THE 'EAT YOUR NEIGHBOR, SHOUT AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS' MODE, THE COLESEUM DAYS OF THE ROMAN EMPIRE. THE MOVIE HAS A GREAT CAST AND THE ACTING IS GREAT AS WELL. FROM ALIEN TO GLADIATOR, RIDLEY SCOTT DOES'NT DISSAPOINT. RUSSEL CROWE WAS PERFECT AS WAS OLIVER REED. I ALSO LIKED THE DOMINANT CHARACTER MODE, ALA BRUCE LEE, SEGAL, AND SUCH. MAXIMUS WAS UNBEATABLE, ESPECIALLY WITH A GRUDGE. THE FIGHT SCENES ARE TOP NOTCH, SO ARE THE SPECIAL EFFECTS. WORTH BUYING.
Rating: 
Summary: Oh Yeah!
Review: I am sure everyone has had everything to say about this movie already. All I want to say is, if you have not seen it once, you have not seen one of the best/greatest movies every made.
Rating: 
Summary: millions spent on fx, hundreds spent on story development
Review: One reviewer described _Gladiator_ as 'one of the best movies ever,' and adds that 'if you liked _Braveheart_, you'll love this movie!' That ought to tell you everything you need to know. I will never cease to be amazed at the amount of praise that was heaped on this movie. The story dragged on and on; historical verity was pure Hollywood, so far as I could tell; and nothing seemed so important as pretty scenery and luminous cinematographic effects. Finally, the dialogue was nothing short of embarrassing--towards the end, my friend and I gave up all efforts to conceal our laughter. Neither Crowe's bedrock solidity nor Joaquin Phoenix' Fiennes-like homoerotic flamboyance could save this film (check out the latter's 'busy little bee' tirade). If you *must* see this film, get extremely high first--your critical faculties will require dulling in order to get through it.
Rating:
Summary: Historical nonsense but awesome nonetheless!
Review: Gladiator, like Braveheart, is about 90% untrue. The Senate wasn't democratically elected (I just discovered this from another review!), it never gained power from the emperors again, Maximus probably never existed in any form, 'thumbs up' meant death, etc.However, for some undefinable reason, unlike Braveheart I was able to set such considerations aside and just enjoy the spectacle. The incredible battle scenes, music that blends really well with the action, Turneresque vistas of Rome, great costuming (it's probably all wrong as well but I for one don't really care). I'm not qualified to give judgement on the performances, but I thought Russel Crowe as Maximus was pretty good. Joaquim Phoenix as the incestuous, patricidal, spoiled-brat Emperor is just fun to watch and quite chilling in his callousness. His use of the Colosseum to keep the people happy has echoes of modern-day propaganda. Definitely up there in my Top 10 films.
Rating:
Summary: Best of 2000
Review: I enjoyed Gladiator so much that I saw it at least 3 times at the theater. This movie is filled with lavish sets and incredible performances... The only thing I did not like about the DvD was the 2 cd set; one CD is the movie and the other is the extra scenes and director commentary. I would have preferred them be on 1 CD. Russell Crowe plays Maximus Desmus Meridius, the Commander of the Roman armies of the North. After a successful campaign in Germania, Emperor Marcus Arellius (played by Richard Harris) tells Maximus that he wants him to be Emperor of Rome after Arellius' death for a short time, only to proclaim the Senate will rule Rome, making it a republic. This news is not good for the Emperors son, Comidus played by Joaquin Phoenix. So what does the son do? Kill the father and ask Maximus to join him. Maximus of course refuses and Comidus commands Maximus' execution (as well as his families). Maximus escapes and races towards his family, but he is too late. Maximus collapses due to his grief and is acquired by a travelling caravan as a slave. He is quickly sold as a gladiator to Proximo (I forget the actor's name) and the games begin. After an intense victory in the Colliseum, Emperor Comidus wants to meet this incredible gladiator (Maximus has a mask on while they re-create the battle of Maxia). Comidus demands Maximus to remove his helmet and after he does, Maximus tells Comidus that he will avenge the murder of his son and wife. There is political intrigue and action gallore. You won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: An amazing movie in the best Hollywood tradition
Review: First off, everything about "Gladiator" is big: the sets, the plot, the cast of characters, the battles, even the dialogue. Everything about this movie harkens to the classic epics of Hollywood. Don't mistake admiration for theft though, this movie is pure 21st century and very original. Through the lavish use of computer graphics, as well as masterful costume work, the viewer is vaulted back to ancient Rome. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix both offer Oscar caliber performances, and the supporting cast is likewise excellent (of particular note is Djimon Hounsu of "Amistad"). The film is packed with action, but also relates a tale of political intrigue, and also deftly deals with issues of love and faith. Finally, the soundtrack is outstanding; in particular, some of the vocal arrangements are nothing short of haunting. As for the DVD, it offers some outstanding feautures. I particularly enjoyed the TLC documentary on gladiatorial games, which does much to ground the movie in some historical fact. I also enjoyed the deleted scenes with commentary from the director. I enjoyed them all for what they added to the film, but I really liked the insight into the editing process that Scott's comments provided.
Rating:
Summary: Stunning
Review: I have just a few things to say. Stunning. The CG in this blasts Titanic out of the water. Where in Titanic you can tell where the real people end and CG begins, I was stunned to find out that Gladiator had CG. I liter5ally could not tell. As a computer arts major, I pride myself on being able to critique the cg, beind able to tell when they haven't used enough layers to make it the CG look real, or whether the peopl in the background aren't quite as smooth as they could be. Gladiator stuns and mazes you with not just a brillant story , but Ripley Scotts legendary amazing viewpoint and telling of Maximus' story and the landscape surrounding him- reminiscant of Bladerunner's majestic run down dark city it's run down hero, Decker. It's a movie worth it's cost and is somethign to be watched along with Spartacus and Ben Hur. Just Glorius.
Rating:
Summary: tast E flipa's review
Review: The DVD The quality of the DVD is fantastic, great audio and picture quality. A ton of added features, so much in fact I haven't even seen everything yet. (flipa review = 5 stars) The Movie A good plot and awesome musical score will keep you thoroughy entertained. The acting overall is terrific, Russell Crowe plays his role to perfection, and you will love to hate Jauquin Phoenix as the evil Claudius. My only complaint is that it's a bit long for my taste. (flipa review = 4 stars)
Rating: 
Summary: WATCH THIS MOVIE WITH THE SOUND TURNED OFF....
Review: Or better yet, watch this movie when DVD players fimally come with a "remove the formulated dialogue" button. OK- Let's be fair and discuss the movie's positives: Dialogue not withstanding, Ridley Scott's epic is very well paced, to say nothing of the fact that every reel is a visual masterpiece. John Mathieson (cinematographer) is truly a master of his craft, and Pietro Scalia(editor) cuts and dissolves with deft accuracy. The overall visuals in this film are nothing short of astounding, and are well worth a second and third look(DVD owners). Of course, the sound effects can hit so hard, your neighbors are sure to replace their anonymous hatemail with personalized pipe bombs. Russel Crowe was intense in Virtuocity, L.A. Confidential, The Insider, and he is intense in Gladiator as well. What could possibly be the reason for giving him talent-robbing dialogue? In addition, it's painfully obvious that the studio further removed the emotional impact of this film by watering down the battle scenes so that they could turn Ridley Scott's potential work of art into a more palatable "product" that is fun for the whole family. Don't know what I mean? Think of how the violence in Braveheart made Mel Gibson's character more interesting, and how the audience left the theater shaken with the reality of what they have witnessed: The truth of all the blood spilled by real people that were not afraid to perform the ultimate sacrifice for themselves, and their families. For some, Braveheart was a difficult movie to watch, and it should be. For those of you who criticized Braveheart for it's graphic violence; SOME LIFE SITUATIONS ARE NOT FOR EVERYONE, THEREFORE, ALL MOVIES SHOULD NOT BE FOR EVERYONE EITHER. Now, picture the same Braveheart battle scenes- only before the cameras start to roll, replace all the spears, arrows and axes with Nerf bats and balls. Combine this with uninteresting dialogue that everyone has heard thousands of times over, and you are left with a cumulative result of "the little engine that could have been, but wasn't because once again, someone's artistic vision was stamped on heavily by Madison Avenue". Now back to my original point- I'm sure there are many of you who could split hairs for hours on whether or not the violence in the movie had negligible impact, So I'll try not to beat that dead horse. What I wanted to get across before I went off on my little tangent, was that better dialogue COULD HAVE SAVED THIS MOVIE, and made it into an important film. For those of you out there that are still planning on renting or buying the DVD, let me assist you in this decision making process by providing you with 2 little snippits of information: A) Film summary for the audience: Never leave your greedy, power hungry and incestuous little brother alone with dear old dad. The End. B) For Filmmakers: When given a budget that allows for man-eating CGI tigers, invest in the writing, writing, writing. If still unsure, see point A.
Rating:
Summary: WOW! What a movie!
Review: For the lovers of BraveHeart, if you miss this one, you've just proven yourself absolutely insane! Great story, great acting! Amazing musical score! Don't miss it!
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