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Summary: Actually, Commodus did fight as a gladiator
Review: The previous reviewer below, Mr. Bryce, should check his facts. Commodus did fight as a gladiator in the coloseum, however unbelievable that sounds. Look it up.
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Summary: Braveheart - The Patriot and now, Gladiator!
Review: Three words: Blunt-Head-Trauma
Rating:
Summary: A movie masterpiece
Review: As a people we have always been fascinated with what has come before us. Scientists and historians alike have dedicated themselves wholly to the project of determining where we came from, and how we got to where we are now. The empire of Rome helped build foundations both in the social and economic fronts that remain prevalent even today. Further, all ancient civilizations which endured powerful, lenghty reigns-- the Incans, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans. The era has fascinated me so much that I have choosen to dedicate a substantial amount of my time to the study of classics, and the Roman language, Latin. For me the film was a wonder. The special effects are incredibly well-done, if not a bit too gory. Partially inaccurate, yes; unbelievable, naturally... it's Hollywood. But to me the key that makes a movie great is its ability to suck you in. Can you imagine yourself right there in the action? While your watching do you feel as if you are some silent character, standing beside Russell Crowe, swinging your sword along with his? From the very first scene, I was lost in the world of Gladiator. For anyone who has ever felt the desire to be lost in the mystery and splendor of Ancient Rome, this movie is a must see.
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Summary: Would've been 5, but the DVD has defects!
Review: Loved the movie in the theatre. Loved it on DVD... except for the defects! The movie pauses and jerks around in the middle of the movie. I took it back... and got another defective DVD. I am very disappointed in this. The movie is awesome and is definitely a 5 star movie. But the poor quality of the DVD is a disappointment, especially for a Blockbuster movie like this. I came here to check and see if others were having the same problems and it appears so. I wish they would re-release it again on DVD and make it right by replacing any and all defective copies, but now I'm just dreaming.....
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Summary: Veni! Vidi! --I Liked It
Review: Upon vanquishing yet another enemy on the battlefield, Julius Caesar once famously crowed, "Veni, vidi, vici" ("I came, I saw, I conquered"). The same can now be said for director Ridley Scott, who with Gladiator resurrects and reinvigorates the Roman epic. Moviegoers may not have been pining for such spectacles since speeding chariots last rumbled through theaters in 1959's Ben-Hur and 1960's Spartacus, but the juiced-up Gladiator proves there's still plenty of grappa left in the genre. Gladiator tells the bloody saga of Maximus (Crowe, in a star-making turn), a fictional warrior whom the movie plops down in 180 A.D. amid real figures from Roman history. Maximus's bravery, brains and decency have earned him the respect and loyalty of his troops and the admiration of Marcus Aurelius (Harris), Rome's ailing emperor. When the emperor tells his preening, power-hungry son Commodus (Phoenix) that he intends to name Maximus as his successor and make Rome a republic, Junior goes wonky. Maximus barely escapes with his life and ends up -- the film is murky on just how -- enslaved and forced onto the provincial gladiator circuit (imagine a wrestling smackdown! with swords and massive blood loss). Despite a thoughtful script that strives to add texture and context, Gladiator in the end is too preposterous (bring on the tigers) to be mistaken for a great movie. But its pull is potent, thanks to the razzle-dazzle fight scenes (the opening battle almost rivals that in Saving Private Ryan) and a magnetic performance by Crowe (The Insider), who shows just the right combination of heart and brawn. As his nemesis, Phoenix is sulkily amusing, and Nielsen, cast as Phoenix's sister, signals she's an actress to be watched. An amazing fictional historical drama all juiced-up and tasty.
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Summary: Jon Bryce--read your history
Review: This film is absolutely beautiful in plot, screenplay, acting, etc. It is perhaps one of the best movies I've seen in a very long time. Russell Crowe does a fantastic acting job--his mere presence commands my complete attention :o) As to a previous review made by a Jon Bryce (one of the first reviews) stating that the Emperor never fought in the Coliseum, he's compeltely wrong. Commodus *did* fight in the Coliseum, many many times...he often called himself Hercules and dressed with lion skins...So please, to all future reviewers, if you have a gripe about the historical "accuracy" (most people whine about it but they could really careless) of the film, then great!! But at least back it up with sources or *something*.
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Summary: fortunate group of people
Review: All i have to say for the people that over-looked and read ALL the special features of the movie is that the cast and crew are extremely fortunate. That little boy lucius. I can't remember his name but i read his journal and what an experience he had, with all the luxury and barbeques and the bonding between him, Russell, Connie, Ralf, and sven. also when he met Arnold Schwarzenager(or however you spell it) After the emotion he put into his journal he must of been extremely sad to leave the set after shooting. I mean he got to meet Russell Crowe. i could only dream. and work out with a Mr. Universe. He really is a smart one, i wish i could of gotten in to acting, if he is reading these you are lucky and stick with it.
Rating:
Summary: Great movie!
Review: You have to see this movie, everything is so wonderful about it: the costumes, the story, the shooting, the directing, the acting, the music.... I cried and I got scared, it's full of emotions and battles at the same time... Russel Crowe plays very good and he is very handsome and sexy in this movie. Great movie.
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Summary: A Movie Worth Your Time And Money
Review: Well for me the movie was great from start to finish. The special effects and the actors and actress were wonderful. It was full of emotions,anger ,sadness,revenge and much more. I myself found myself crying in two parts of the movie,it takes a really good movie to get me to cry. My husband and i seen it at the theater and couldn't wait for it to come out on video. I can't say enough about this movie it would take forever. But one thing i'll say is rent it you won't regret it.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome movie.
Review: I was really impressed. I also liked Spartacus from many years ago, but did not expect much from this film. So many people said "Just see it..." And I did. The main reason I am writing this is because I read the review from the one person who rated it two stars. I could not believe his review - he could not of seen the movie. He did in fact revenge his family - by his own hand he took the life of the most powerful person on the planet - Commidus Caesar, Emperor of Rome - shaming him in the arena with all of Rome watching him die. If that was not revenge enough, in true character he proclaimed Marcus Aurelieus' desire to have Rome be a Republic once again. This movie was great, the story was great, the actors were great. The DVD set is awesome. A must see 5 star movie.
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