Rating: 
Summary: "At my signal, unleash hell."
Review: Gladiator was a spectacle that kept you on the edge of your seat the entire time in the movie theater. This movie brought back a sense that Rome is still around. Rome is the light, and will be forever. This movie is worth more than 5 stars. If I were you, I would buy this movie right now! Get your credit cards out!
Rating: 
Summary: Shake, Rattle and Roll (Camera Angles)
Review: If your expecting this movie to take off with action, well...you'll have to wait about 35 minutes to really get into the arena. Although the fight scenes in this film are interesting, it is very hard to see some of the scenes because the film has strange and crazy angles that get annoying after awhile. The camera shakes a lot, making viewing worse than The Blairwitch cameras, constant shaking. I was very impressed with the reconstruction of the Colosseum using 3-D rendering. I absolutely liked the movie aside from the slow beginning and shaky camera angles. GO RENT IT OR BUY IT. It's great.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome movie!!!! Got to have this one!
Review: The best movie in seen for a while.I couldn't get enough of it.Seemed like it was too short but it wasn't.Don't miss out on this on.
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator
Review: An amazing movie with awesome cinematography and incredible battle scenes. But, unlike many other action movies, does not lack in plot. Russel Crowe does a magnificent job, as does Joaquin Phoenix(brother of River)in the role of Commodus. Now that we are on the subject of Commodus, this movie is somewhat historically accurate, seeing as Commodus actually fought in gladiatorial battles claiming over one thousand victories in his lifetime, and was planning on moving into the gladiatorial barracks prior to his assassination at the hands of his family, though not Lucilla. Lucilla had tried to have him assassinated, but he figured it out, and had her put to death. But, this movie rocks, so, I encourage you to buy it. And the soundtrack. Very Sweet. UT VINCERE AUT MORI. -Gladiator motto (Either conquer or die.)
Rating:
Summary: the best movie
Review: this is the one of the best movies I have ever seen.It's awsome Russel Crowe booty in this show, if you liked this show rent L.A.Confidential he is reel good in that one to.But Gladiator has a great story ,acting,directing and stunts.
Rating: 
Summary: A lukewarm sandal 'n' sword pic
Review: This was a movie that didn't quite live up to its potential. I think director Ridley Scott couldn't make up his mind whether he wanted to shoot a guilty-pleasure toga flick with lots of pointless-but entertaining- fight scenes or an intellectual, historical epic on a grand scale. What he ended up with were pointless-and only mildly entertaining-fight scenes stuck amongst plot re-treads lifted straight out of Braveheart (with none of the actual "heart") As I've said, the story is one we've heard before... Ruthless yet loyal soldier is double-crossed by the very politicians he has risked his own neck for. Various members of the hero's family are offed by said dirty politicians (in one of the movie's few powerful and well-done scenes). Hero then undertakes an against-all-odds campaign to overthrow/destroy said dirty politicians with the help of the common rabble. Yawn. The one plus in this movie is the sublimely understated performance of Russel Crowe, who is able to deliver his corny pseudo-Shakespearian lines (why is it that every movie set in a time period before the 1800s contains Shakespearian dialect, no matter if the movie is set in Elizabethan England or in ancient Rome?) with a modicum of grace, imbuing the corny script with just a bit of decency. On the other hand is Joaquin Phoenix, a usually fine actor, flubbing the role of the bad guy by playing him as an affected, simpering wuss-boy with an unhealthy (and entirely pointless) affection for his own sister. His performance makes the final mano-a-mano hero v. bad guy scene at the end seem unbelievable and anti-climactic. Had his character been outright ruthless and plain Darth Vader-style evil, this movie may have ended on a better note. As usual, Ridley Scott's directing and accompanying cinematography is spotty. The haunting battle scenes at the opening of the movie, and the gripping scene involving the death of Maximus'wife and son are (unfortunately) marred by the slow pacing and uninventiveness of the final duel. The fight scenes, which showed so much promise in the previews and t.v. spots for the movie, are on the whole just good when viewed in that perspective-as advertisements, rather than good movie-making. Filled with jump-cuts and inexplicable tracking shots counterweighted with jerky, almost hand-held-camera-looking shots ended up being more style than substance; half the time, you couldn't follow what was going on. Also, some of the CG effects, especially the wide-angle views of Rome and the colliseum, were almost laughingly bad. It's funny that these shots probably would have wowed me a few years ago; it's just that moves like Titanic, the Matrix, and Star Wars, Ep. 1 just raised the bar for large-scale computer effects so high, that Gladiator has to struggle just to perform a simple chin-up. Ironically, the small-scale special effects (in particular a battle scene involving free-range tigers)were pretty good, and the atmosphere of the movie probably would have been a whole lot more believable if they'd thrown out the hokey, look-ma-no-hands wide-angle shots, which really only take up about 10 seconds of the movie. The movie is worth renting, and if you're a Ridley Scott or Russel Crowe afficionado, then its definitely worth clicking the "buy" button; if you don't fall into those categories, then maybe you should go with "Braveheart" instead.
Rating:
Summary: Best movie in a while!
Review: This may have been the best movie of this summer's blockbuster pack. It may actually have been the best summer blockbuster in many years. Russell Crowe is absolutely amazing as Maximus, the wronged general looking for revenge, and Joaquin Phoenix is over the top as Commodus, the evil, patricidal Ceasar. But what stands out in this film is what you don't actually see. Though graphic, the battle scenes leave much of the violence implied (unlike 'Saving Private Ryan' which made me sick to my stomach). And that works very effectively. In the opening scene, we meet Maximus as he is about to lead his Legions into battle. The battle is exhilarating, yet not overly graphic. This sets the tone for the rest of the film. Now, I am not saying you should let small children watch it, but it is not as graphically violent as the subject matter might have dictated, and this is a compliment to director Ridley Scott. He is really the person who deserves the acclaim, as his signature is all over this incredible piece of film. The camera work and editing are excellently paced, and even though it runs well over 2 hours, you do not feel the time pass. I can not recommend this movie enough.
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.
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