Rating: 
Summary: one of the year's best screen gems
Review: i was enthralled by the production value, and also the tremendous acting of the stars russell crowe and others who i feel truly made me feel like i was part of the early roman empire.
Rating: 
Summary: this COULD have been a good movie...
Review: but they blew it. I must say I'm surprised at all the 5-star reviews. The dramatic scenes are awful, starting with the confrontation between the emperor and his son. You can see everything coming a mile away, and the scenes are long and drawn out, filmed with the subtlety of a 'Jerry Springer' episode. You might as well have a narrator carefully explain to the audience exactly what they're supposed to feel, instead of allowing them to derive their experience from the acting and context. The character development of Commodus is appallingly simplistic and one-dimensional. I liked the general plot, and the scene where we first enter the great Coliseum is fantastic, but the scripting and directing are second-rate. Its as if they said.. "good enough, with our huge marketing campaign this'll make us a ton of money, why put in the effort to make it really good?" The climax was a joke. The set-up totally fails to suspend my disbelief, and you see the ending from two miles away, lending it the impact of a mouse fart. Braveheart is a similar movie carefully (and well) made. I might rate it three stars for what good scenes it has, but it deserves to have one yanked for blowing the opportunity to make a truly good film.
Rating: 
Summary: Are you ready?
Review: From the moment the preview slammed the television sets and the movie theaters with 'Bawitdaba' by Kid Rock, I knew this was going to be a hit...and not just a small one. I guess in Ancient Rome, they didn't do anything small, and in this example of the Gladiator games that took place during those times, they really DIDN'T do anything small. Director Ripley Scott has a classic on his hands and he knows it. The story follows Maximus (Russell Crowe, who is not exactly known for his action credentials) a Roman general who is deemed a traitor and made into a participant in one of the most brutal contests of all time. Joaquin Phoenix's performance almost makes you want to reach out and smack the living daylights out of him (which means he did a great job in his role). Ridley Scott's masterful work behind the camera is evident from the opening scene, eerily foreshadowing the rest of the movie. What this means I leave to you to find out. Worth the money for DVD? Without a doubt. The surround sound will make you shiver with anticipation as the roar of the crowd at the Roman Coliseum is enough to almost make a man wet his pants...both in the movie and out of. Just one thing to keep in mind, this movie is NOT for the faint of heart. Be ready for a wham-bam, sense-slamming experience that isn't without it's portion of beheadings (and with two swords!). Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding movie!!
Review: This is just one of the good movies I ever seen, the drama and the argument fullfilled the attention of the viewer, the soundtrack music is outstanding, on every scene! and the visual effects are the best ones, for a movie that bring us such a grandeur time of the romans, We wanted so hot!!! atte:Ivan Jaramillo
Rating:
Summary: This movie is GROOVY!
Review: This movie ROCKS! Very realistic! Would be good without graphic violence (not that I don't like mind it)! You gotta see this movie!
Rating:
Summary: YUMMY
Review: I have always been a big fan of all gladiator films, from Tyrone Powers to Richard Burton. Any actor donning the sandals and metal skirt has my attention. Russell Crowe's character took my breath away. His strength, power, and ruggedly good looks won me over. If your a fan of this genre, or just like to see guys wearing skirts. This movie is for you.
Rating:
Summary: A grand, much-needed epic !
Review: This movie is simply awesome. And, it has not come a minute too soon. The ancient world is FULL of possiblities for stories like this (note, this is historical FICTION, not telling an actual event.) Great direction, sets, plot, dialogue, and acting. Oh, there is no "drag in some spots" that some reviewers have commented on. I guess in this generation no one is allowed to TALK for more than 20 seconds without it being deemed "wordy." Also, I noticed two errors in otherwise good reviews below: 1) Commodus did not "listen to his father's advisors" at first - he immediately concluded a shameful peace with the Germans and left to enjoy the debauched pleasures of Rome before his father was hardly cold. He was one of the very small group of emperors that nothing good can be said. 2) Rome didn't "fall due to greed and spectator sports" - the Roman Empire basically was mortally wounded by plague that depopulated huge areas of the empire, with the resulting economic and military downturns, and due to pressure from the nomadic barbarians and barbarization of the army. If the two great epidemics (one during Marcus Aurelius's time) hadn't happened, it is very possible today's major language would be based on Latin. Anyway, it's a GREAT movie - grab it. One should also check out that wonderful film, "Fall of the Roman Empire" which covers similar ground, but in a very different plotline - another great film, and Will Durant (the historian) was an advisor on it. And please disregard the numerous bad user reviews of this film, also. It's a very good movie.
Rating:
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: I don't even know how to start about this movie it is one of the best movies I have ever seen. It has a lot of nice fights, good story, and just really awesome. If your looking for a good action movie mixed with adventure this is the movie for you trust me. You will love it, it's a little long but once your done watching it you will wish it was longer.
Rating:
Summary: A WONDERFUL MOVIE, REQUIRED VIEWING FOR ALL AGES
Review: Gladiator is a marvelous movie. It gives you a sense of what it may have been like during these Roman times. The story is, of course, fiction. Maximus, quite possibly the greatest character created for the big screen, was made up and history was "re-written" for the sake of telling this story. Ridley Scott has never denied that and has said that all along. That aside, this movie is a must for people of all ages to watch and enjoy. Movies like this are what get people excited for our world's history. You'll be looking up these characters in books and online after watching the actors give such great performances as them. I wish I could have seen this movie while in school. It may've peaked my interest more in History:)
Rating:
Summary: Strength & Honor FOREVER !!!
Review: Russel Crowe and Ridley Scott prove beyond doubt that outstanding filmmaking is still all about masterful storytelling. The heroic tale of Maximus the general and gladiator keeps you spellbound from opening shot to the ending credits---thanks to the no-nonsense realism of Russel Crowe's portrayal , as well as the outstanding ---and sometimes scene stealing---performances by Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, and Richard Harris. Of course, the riveting visuals and perfect pacing of the film are all signature Ridley Scott and provide the story-telling with gritty, contemporary, and ---on occasion---ethereal qualities. Who would think that the sandals-and-toga genre would be this captivating ? Gladiator is an outstanding movie and certainly headed for hall-of-fame status. Perfect from all angles and so timely in its universal themes of heroism, strength, honor, and character. It is a must-see for all, a must-die-for-to-collect for all great film afficionados. Strength & Honor forever!!!
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