Gladiator (Single Disc Edition)

Rating:
Summary: Ever seen Rome 2000 years ago.
Review: Special effects will always amaze me. Especially when they are as unobtrusive as in Gladiator. Love, hate, action and torment will keep you in the story. All this while enjoying ancient architecture. You do not watch this movie, you are in it.

Rating:
Summary: incredible just incredible
Review: Even the opening credits capture you the moment you see them with the haunted music of a dying empire as the title appears and the opening scene of Russel Crowe as the long suffering contemplative general, every nuance of his face describes his stricken life full of the hard gruesome days fighting barbarians for the last 12 years. So starts one of the greatest films I have seen, with these scences you are caught up immediately in the tale of a great man. Strangely enough the supremely beautiful scene where Maximus the general watches a bird alight on a branch is never mentioned by reviewers, considering its eloquence and almost zen-like aside as life continues in the most horror filled times. The battle scenes are incredible with the full might of the supremely trained and confident Roman army unleashing hell as Crowe put it in the film, such terror the barbarians must have felt being crushed under foot by the superior technological ability of the Romans. The film does not dwell on this but rather fully encapsulates the viewer within the fight scenes as man battles man. Maximus's decline as general in the political battles taking place for Emperorship fling him into slavery and to fight as a gladiator, at every moment Maximus remains human never becoming too much of a hero but staying vulnerable and yet noble and loyal with great strength of character, the sort of man other men would love and follow into battle or anywhere else for that matter. The death of Maximus at the end allows real tears to be shed for a great man indeed. An incredible experience, more than a film. Only "Dances with Wolves" has done this better.

Rating:
Summary: Another Perspective
Review: I give it 5 stars because I do like the film. And Russel Crowe is a good actor, but is he really the star everyone is gushing over. Really look at it objectively, Crowe dosen't really have that much dialogue. Just a bunch of well acted fighting, and in the end it's over for him as well as Commodus. Joaquin Phoenix on the other hand has tons of drama. Some powerfull scenes with his "father", good long scenes with his "sister", really show what a coward Commodus was. I thought this was great acting, even though Crowe is the listed star, In my opinion, it's Phoenix's character that really draws out some fine drama, and powerfull acting.

Rating:
Summary: Its all in the presentation...
Review: Big time movie makers take note: If ever you are interested in doing a High Fantasy movie like a Tolkien, Hobb, Feist, or a Jordan for example, you can do no wrong with the style in which Gladiator was made. Awe inspiring grandeur, Saving Private Ryan style cruelty, and a main character with the magnetism of a Clooney or a Newman.

Rating:
Summary: Dedicated to a higher cause
Review: This film is a magnificent performance by one of the most intense actors on the screen today. Russell Crowe easily solidifies his name as one of the top actors of the day. The film is grand and Ridley Scott has definitely created a masterpiece in the same vein as Braveheart, El Cid, or Ben-Hur. Joaquin Phoenix is incredible as Commodus, and shows a strong range of acting ability. Russell Crowe's character who is seeking only peace, must walk through a fire of life in order to gain it. Crowe portrays a Roman Soldier and gladiator with a sense of honor that one would find in a Marine. Crowe never loses faith in his purpose to do what he must do, and he honors his word, his family, and the former emperor Marcus Aurelius (Oliver Reed)in the film. Dijon Honshu (Amistad) plays a good friend and confidant to Maximus. It is truly a marvelous movie, and a masterpiece of a film. It is a great story from an incredible and epic time.

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable nonsense
Review: Well photographed and engrossing, but fundamentally unbelievable. "Gladiator" has the Emperor of Rome fighting in the colosseum. Yeah, right. Don't watch the movie for historical accuracy, or (come to think of it) believable storyline. Just enjoy the first toga romp for many a year. Then hire "Spartacus", which did it all better, but wasn't able to do some of the effects.

Rating:
Summary: Slice and dice with history
Review: For a complex film, "Gladiator" can still be taken for a simple heroic story. Russell Crowe manages to dominate the screen so well that I spent much of my first viewing anticipating his next appearance in the script. It is the sort of film that needs to be seen at least twice to understand most of the sub-plots. To an extent, this is a flaw on the part of director Ridley Scott. It should have been possible to focus the narrative a little more clearly than he did.

The main theme of the film concerns General Maximus Decimus Meridius. The opening scenes show him as a competent, charismatic military leader during a battle where his legions brutally decimate the Germanic hordes. As fine a General as he may be, he is a deliberately poor politician. And so it is no surprise when the prodigal political creature, Cesar's son Commodus, played well be Joaquin Phoenix, takes the throne with the aid of a little poison and immediately sets about to secure his position. Maximus is quietly sent away, to be executed, and orders for his wife and children are on their way before he is out of sight.

Not only is Maximus a proficient General but he is also skilled at personal combat. These talents help him to escape his immediate fate but not without some serious wounds. Wounds that slow him enough to prevent any rescue of his family. And so, we have a classic revenge scenario. The newly crowned Cesar, Commodus, is cast as the villain and Maximus is the hero, bent on revenge. This sort of plot can become laughably predictable but thanks to a decent script and Crowe's outstanding performance, we are forced into the cauldron of hate along with Maximus.

His revenge takes a less direct route than Maximus would have liked, since he is quickly scooped up by slave traders and, due to his imposing physique, snapped up by Proximo, a provincial games promoter. Killing for sport suites Maximus well, even if he would prefer a different face on his opponent. It is not long before Proximo realises that he may have something special. Despite the tempering influence of other fighters, specifically the Numidian Juba, (played with subtle appeal by Djimon Hounsou), Maximus is too efficient. He kills without any lingering flourishes, spoiling the crowd's fun.

All this changes when Proximo gives Maximus a glimpse of hope. The new Emperor is reopening the games in Rome and needs Gladiators. Proximo tries to tempt Maximus with the freedom of the wooden sword, a symbol of the freedom awarded for truly spectacular performances in the arena. But freedom is not what fires the General's imagination. It is the fact that the Emperor himself presents the award in person, a clear avenue to consummation of his vengeful goals.

Once again the simple linear approach is not taken. Events turn murky as Maximus becomes, at first, a crowd pleaser and then a political power as he successfully and repeatedly defeats the Emperor's chosen on the hot sands of Rome. As his fame spreads, he draws the powerful to him; the Emperor's sister, (and Maximus' former lover), Lucilla, various Senators, and even the Emperor's heir. But in the end it comes down to two, Maximus and Commodus.

A lot of people have praised the special effects and cinematography of Gladiator. Personally, I was less than impressed with many of the scenes, as they seemed muddled and confused. Even the computer-generated work forgot the first rule, reality is imperfect. Everything seemed too newly minted; flawless in its grandeur and therefore slightly suspect. However, the action in the coliseum was breathtaking and some of the solo fights were particularly effective cinema. But at bottom, Gladiator is not a special effects movie. It rests squarely on Crowe's shoulders and he successfully carries it beyond the realms of mediocrity, raising it up to become a modern classic.

Rating:
Summary: MEZMORING! SPECTACULAR! AMAZING! THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE!
Review: WOW! GLADIATOR is a MUST SEE film. It is the BEST movie ever made. It is full of adrenalin pumping action, heart grasping drama, bold emotions, and maginficent picture. Ancient Rome has never looked so good on a screen before. I have seen GLADIATOR 11 times and it only gets better........ well, that's kind of impossible since nothing can really get better than GLADIATOR, but you know what I mean. Russell Crowe is one AMAZING actor, he portrayed Maximus with perfection. Every actor and actress in this movie is AMAZING! I don't want to go on about EVERY SINGLE GREAT aspect of GLADIATOR, so I will say this one last time. GLADIATOR IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER MADE!

Rating:
Summary: One of the best flicks I've seen in a long time....
Review: If you thought BraveHeart was good, this puts it to shame, Gladiator is an unspoken film, and its been a real long time since I enjoyed myself in the theater. Get it and enjoy the rollercoaster...

Rating:
Summary: The Spirit of Rome, the Ghost of Romulus
Review: This was a fantastic movie. I enjoyed myself very much watching it. However, a few things must be set straight. The writiers of this film paid little attention to history. Commodus ruled for twelve years and began his reign qite ausipiciously, listening to the advisors of his father. The murder of Marcus Aurelius by his son is pure unfounded speculation by people with little historical conscience. Knowing full well the many historical errors of Gladiator, I must once again reiterate that despite these I loved the movie. It is indeed a very Roman movie. The ancient historians had no qualms about changing things up a bit here and there to make a few heros. The imagery of the field and the wheat is taken straight from the spirit of Rome and the pages of Livy, a Roman historian. The Romans themselves would have agreed that the character of Maximus was excellent. Of course, the special effects and the acting were good as well.