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Summary: Gladiator: Well Made DVD
Review: This DVD is of one of the best quality DVDs to date and well worth the purchase especially with all the extras! A must get for all who love the film and quality DVD!If a movie like American Beauty can win Best Picture, Gladiator will walk away with it this year. Even though it has been a bad year for quality films, that really wouldn't have made a difference because Gladitor, in my opinion is the best overall film made in decades and it would've taken alot to beat it. Perhaps the business knew this and are waiting until next year to release the better quality stuff. Hats of to Ridley Scott for what will be a long awaited and deserved Oscar for Best Picture and Director. What can I say, it has potential for Best Actor: Russell Crow, Best Supporting Actor: Joachim Phoenix or Richard Harris, Best Actress: Connie Nielsen, Original Score: Zimmerman (that's a guarantee), Best Sound, Best Visual Effects, Cinematoraphy and the list goes on. This movie has the potential to win the most oscars of any single film to date because it will grab the special effects awards traditionally given to sci-fi movies. I love this movie and DVD, as you can tell! Chris Wood, Miramichi NB Canada
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Summary: Ah, Rome! Ah, Russell! Ah, Ridley!
Review: I have always loved gladiator films, and it has been a really long time since one came along, so when I found out they were making this particular film with Russell Crowe(sigh!) and directed by Ridley Scott who is always interesting and many times just a little bit bloody which is perfect for a gladiator film, I was thrilled to bits. I had the opportunity to view this film on the big screen and then recently on DVD, and the contrast was informative. The battle scenes on the big screen seemed to me somewhat chaotic, a criticism that sometimes has me rubbing my forehead, because in a way it added a realism to the scenes; I am certain battle is much like that most times. It did, however, take me out of the movie a little because it made me wonder if Ridley was getting too artsy-fartsy with it or if the guy in charge of editing was drinking way too much coffee. I loved the ash falling like snow. It added a sense of immediacy and realism that put me back into ancient Rome. The computer graphics were breathtaking; clearly there was someone in charge who really cared about how ancient Rome really looked. As for the acting, as much as I love Russell Crowe who always does a good job, and as moved as I was with the knowlege that this was the last we would ever see of the late and talented bad-boy Oliver Reed, the performance that wowed me was Joachim Pheonix, in his almost perfect portrayal of Commodus, whose rule many scholars agree pretty much signaled the beginning of the end of the Roman Empire. What a wonderful job Joachim did! A true monster, terrifying and yet somehow sympathetic as well. In fact, I personally believe he nearly stole the whole show. Very talented actor. The story-line I found very touching. It takes a fine hand to make tragedy appealing; to underscore the sadness in such a way that one feels they gained something in the telling of the story, instead of being dragged down by it, is a technique that in this case should be shared by the creator of the story(I'm sorry, I immediately lent it out to friends and so cannot check who that was), Ridley, and Russell. Scott and Crowe show in this film what professionalism really is--the play's the thing, didn't Shakespeare once say?--and that is what both men focussed on. What all of them focussed on, in fact. I've gone on too long. I think you'll like Gladiator if you liked The Thirteenth Warrior or both Cleopatra movies(Elizabeth Taylor and the more recent one starring Billy Zane as Mark Anthony); also anyone who enjoyed the brilliant mini-series I, Claudius may enjoy this film. Plus those of you who have read Colleen McCullough's incredible series of roman books, starting with The First Man in Rome to her most recent, Caesar, will most likely enjoy this movie as well. Ciao.
Rating:
Summary: Simply Magnificent....
Review: For whatever reasons some people wouldn't mind having an experience in the so called known ancient world. But the reality and facts of ancient history, is a constant reminder of brutality and no empathy towards one self and others. Previous movies made about Roman Empire and other places in the ancient world, always portray the personality of a hero with no credible knowledge of his/her livelihood. In this case - Gladiator - we feel what a strategic man is experiencing in a brutal environment. We see his dreams, honor and struggle in balancing the rationale of right and wrong. At the same time, unlike other movies, we feel sympathetic towards the bad guy too. Most of us feel happy when the bad guy looses the battle. But in this case the director cleverly portrays the personality of the bad guy by revealing his articulate thoughts, fears and the dreams of grandeur. It makes you feel sorry that he chose a twisted path in life. When the Gladiator (Russell Crowe) wins the final fight, we are left with the understanding and sympathy towards all characters that this movie portrays.
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Summary: I laughed, I cried...
Review: This movie is one of the greats! On the same scale as Braveheart, The Patriot, and Saving Private Ryan, it provides a moving storyline with captivating action. I had a slight problem with my DVD, where during the middle of the movie, it started slowing down and skipping. But I don't know if it was the DVD or my player. The cutting room scenes are excellent! I don't know why they had to take them out, but they provide real insight into the depth of the story. Some of them seem crucial to the plot, but once you've seen the movie without them, you realize that the movie - after editing - is just as strong. This one's a keeper, for sure.
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Summary: A Terrific Epic Film
Review: Gladiator is one of those movies that comes along and makes you watch in awe of how amazing everything in the movie is. The cinematography is amazing. Direction is dead on and well directed. Russel Crowe portrays Maximus, the emperor of Romes chief general who is betrayed by the prince which all leads up to the climactic final seen that is definitly on of the greatest endings. The cutscenes of the field and the gates give a surreal feel to the movie which makes it that much more enjoyable. The action is well done with not so much gore as Braveheart. This movie is definitly one for action fans, or anyone who loved Bravheart or Patriot. One of my favorite movies of all time. Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator-Great
Review: Simply put Gladiator is the best dvd release on the market today. The movie promises much, and it delivers. I recommend also that you watch this movie in conjunction with Spartacus. I believe that you will get maximum enjoyment from these two films, and the extra features on the Gladiator Dvd.
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Summary: The Best in years
Review: Why is, that only every 5 or 10 years we can see a movie like this. There are billions of Dollars spent worldwide every year, bringing stupid screenplays to film. And so many years pass by without rembering one of them. Gladiator is one to be remembered. I hope its a turningpoint in Ridley Scotts career. He was one of the finest directors (Alien, Blade Runner, Legend) and i hope he will be again after his more recent works (White Squall, G.I Jane). I can't remember one thing that i didn't liked in Gladiator, so i only mention the most important in my opinion. The cinematography is wonderful, ranging from harsh to poetic. The acting is without any minor failure, and the Soundtrack is one of the alltime best i've heard. This movie is well deserved one to add to my "Best Ever List", along with Blade Runner and My Neighbor Totoro. So go and see it and if you don't like it, believe me it's not the fault of the movie (again in my opinion).
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Summary: Best movie of the year 2000!
Review: This movie is almost perfect in every way! Buy it!
Rating:
Summary: Great.
Review: This movie reminded me a lot of Braveheart. which isnt saying anything bad at all since i loved that movie to.The star of the move(Russel Crowe, The Insider)i thought did a great job playing his role and he really made you feel the movie not just watch it.It takes place a long, long time ago in rome, when of course the sport of gladiating was very popular.Russel Crowe ends up being a slave, and is forced to fight with a unique group of characters and overcome obstacles that are both physical and mental>I reccomend this to anyone who likes good movies.
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Summary: What we do in life, echoes in eternity...
Review: Simply a great film. Perhaps the best example of an historical epic in recent years, and yes, I find it to be better than Braveheart. I only wish that Russell Crowe would have been given his due three years ago when he turned in an Oscar-worthy performance in LA Confidential. I can't think of a better actor to play Maximus. Plus, no one else could've have been as bombastic or cantankerous as Oliver Reed (as Proximo). The historical epic hasn't died out yet.
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