Rating: 
Summary: I reluctantly loved this film
Review: I had heard that this was a "guy movie" full of action and even gore! Well, being the "enlightened" guy I am, I went with my nose high, expecting to be mildly entertained, that my base desires would be met. But, like a child, I was enthalled with the film and watched with wide eyed wonder. The cinematography at the beginning of the film with the war scene was absolutely breathtaking. It rivalled the beginning of "Saving Private Ryan" though it was a little less disturbing. Only a little less so. What I was surprised about was the great plot. Sure, it was about the super-human hero, the rugged male who stuck by his own morals no matter what. His honour superceded everything, no matter what horror came to him. Yes, it was a bit "American" and individualistic, but it was done so well, it captivated me. I truly felt his sadness and his anger. Ridley Scott of Blade Runner fame directed this film superbly. I particularly loved the frquest flashes to the fields of heaven - it was this mix of beauty and action that captured my interest. He was able to make me truly enjoy this film. The acting by Crowe was a great compliment as well. While not really being historically accurate, this film was fascinating and often made the heart race.
Rating: 
Summary: epic story, powerful acting, brilliant detail
Review: This film is fantastic. The special effects are awe-inspiring, the costumes are perfect--but the best is Russel Crowe's commanding performance of a man who is powerful, cunning, and noble. Crowe captures in this role something that all modern men thirst after, an ideal virility that almost can't exist in modern society. Admittedly, this film will generally appeal more to men than women. There are, however, some aspects that everyone should appreciate--in addition to being a brilliant hybrid of epic film and action thriller, the historical accuracy of the film is delightful. While the Colusseum was enlarged in film, it was awesome to see the detail of the hundreds of statues surrounding it and the awning stretched above; other historical accuracies include traditional expressions, such as how gladiators addressed the emperor before battle; types of gladiators and their weapons and armor; treatment of slaves and class interactions; and while Commodus was not killed by a gladiator, he often did fight them in the Colusseum. And of course, there were such gladiatorial combats; in some fesivals lasting months, thousands of men and animals would be killed. Gladiator *is* an impressive feat of special effects and action choreography, but it is also an intelligent rendition of the colorful and exotic life the Romans lead.
Rating: 
Summary: Wanna-be epic lacks substance
Review: "Gladiator" tries so hard to become an epic of sorts. After all, Ridley Scott's drama revives a genre long thought to be dead: the ancient Roman gladiatorial epic. Now, I don't even like "Spartacus" all that much, and "Gladiator" thinks it can be "Spartacus". It's no "Spartacus". Lacking sufficient character development, "Gladiator" relies on gruesome action sequences to divert attention. The fact is, "Gladiator" is all flair and no substance. The main reason for this is there is a lack of motivation for its protagonist, Maximus (Russell Crowe). We don't see a real clear reason for his actions. Joaquin Phoenix is just plain annoying on the screen, and all in all this film was simply disappointing. I'm sure most people won't find this review helpful, because I'm criticizing a movie that was very well-liked. But, this film just didn't do it for me. The WWF-style fight scenes were ridiculous and unnecessarily gory. Sure, it's worth a viewing, but I doubt you'll think it's worth repeat viewings and therefore, I suggest renting the DVD before buying.
Rating:
Summary: Simply the most historically correct and crisp movie.
Review: I saw this move over the summer about a weak after it came out. Maximus(crowe)leader of the roman army led the opening battle against the goths(early germanic tribe). His great leadership puts him up for the seat as the emporer of rome, but before he can decide, the emporer's son kills the emprorer making him the immeadiate heir. He orders Maximus to be put to death but Maximus escapes and gets put in to a gladiator sept. The movie is very historically correct with nothing historians could criticize. The film is moving leaving you with goosebumps and a sense of pride. I recommend this movie to all history buffs (LIKE ME) or to anyone. I think kids 13 and older are capable of handling this movie there is only blood and violence and no profanity. All Hail Maximus!
Rating:
Summary: Gladisawit
Review: I read these reviews and see people talking about the gore factor. I was impressed by this movie that with the title it had and hollywood's obsession with gore just for the sake of gore that there wasn't more then there was.The big difference here to me was that they didn't mull over the bloody scenes and glorify them. But what really surprised me about this movie was the way it pulled me in and made me feel,mainly due to the very crafty way in which the scenes were composed, and of course, the talent of the main actor.Anyone remember how the first "Mad Max" movie made them feel? Small budget, big on emotion. Next came Road Warrior- bigger budget, less emotion, then they plopped down that feeble excuse Beyond Thunderdome- biggest budget, flat on emotion. What I'm trying to say here is that Gladiator and it's Director deserve a standing ovation just for being able to pull off a big budget film that still packs a heavy payload of emotion rather then just "wowing" you with a glossy package of special effects. It is well worth the 3 hours it takes to watch this movie.
Rating:
Summary: Oustandingly Masterful Work
Review: A dazzingly preformance would be an understatment when talking about a movie such as Gladiator.Russell Crowe is framed for murder of the king which starts a chain reaction of his world falling apart. Starting with his reputation of being a great General. Forced into the ring to battle other slaves Crowe slowly works his way up the ranks of the arena until deafeating the ultimate challenge, the man who framed him. Gladiator is an amazing movie which is retold from a perfect historical standpoint.
Rating: 
Summary: What are you americans doing?
Review: First of all I wanna say, that the set-up of this movie, the cinematography, the special effects and of course the acting of Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix are just fabulous. I think I never saw a historic epic like this before. BUT: What's the matter with Hollywood, when it comes to find movie endings? Why does the so-called hero have to die in such a pseudo-ideolistic, melodramatic way, that a whole movie of about two and a half hours has to suffer and become actually nothing more than a 08/15, 3 star movie just because of the final 15 minutes? These final 15 minutes - without them and another ending, The Gladiator would be a great 5 star movie - of The Gladiator are so full of senseless, completly overdrawn emotions, that you actually can only laugh or leave the theatre. It was exactly the same thing with The Matrix: Love is so great, love is so strong, it can wake the dead(Neo). In The Gladiator, love, loyality and believe in honour is so strong that, although the hero dies, everything is good, great and beautiful in the end and after we shared a tear or too, because of the unfair way, his life has ended, we know, thta now the hero can be happy with his family in heaven... Oh please! Dear Hollywood, do all of us a favour and stop destroying great movies with "beautiful", "wonderful" endings, that let us leave the cinema crying or make us want to scream, because we hve spent 10 bucks for a ticket or 25 bucks for the dvd. Although I know, that won't help, I thank you for your attention!!!
Rating:
Summary: Good Production, Excellent Quality
Review: This movie is one of the summer's better movies because it has emotion all around (except the ending) and very good acting. The movie starts off with a battle and then introduces the characters, which gets you on the edge of your seat in the very beginning. Russell Crowe acts with power, as he would've made a good attorney, and the other actors didn't do that bad either and sound persuasive. The storyline is pretty straight foward and a little simple, with a few extra twists. This movie shows the violence of the Roman past time a bit too many, but causes expense. The emotion is pretty strong, as you follow the characters along and you're always thinking, "Watch your back, he'll chop your dam* head off!" A very few movies did that to me this summer. Not only that, the actors fitted their roles perfectly. Nobody else could play a better gladiator than Crowe, except maybe for Meg Ryan. Although the movie shows a bit more blood than I intended for, the violence only ads to the horror of the profession of gladiators. The music is good and the f/x are one of the best there ever was! Other than a few storyline problems near the end, the ending is adequete, although not the best ending, it almost sheds a tear.
Rating:
Summary: Maximum movie
Review: THis movie was awsome. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Pheonix are both terrific actors that bring this movie into a great climax. The action was amazing! All of it is historically accurate and it is one of the best made films ever!
Rating:
Summary: maximum DVD
Review: I can't almost tell how much I am looking forward to the release of this magnificient piece! The film was in French theatres on 20th june and I won't tell how many times I've seen it, you don't want to know... Even if special FX are a bit too smooth, just get into the movie, and it's Rome finally come true. A genuine epic of all times and despite long exposure scenes, a breath catching sort. If you don't know, yet,Russell Crowe and don't remember how fabulous were Richard Harris and late Oliver Reed, it's definitly the film to start with for next Xmas.
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