Rating: 
Summary: Film of the Year, and many other years too!
Review: This movie stands out, not just in this year of pretty average film-making on the whole, but in the last decade. If you weren't on the edge of your seat during this, then you should have been! The story is inspiring and moving. It begins in Germanica where Maximus, the general of the Roman army of the north is completing Rome's long campaign against the Germanic barbarians. It is just after his triumphant battle that in conversation with the frail and dying Roman Emperor, he receives an astonishing charge from his lord, a call of duty which he is bound to obey. The Emperor's evil son, greedily coveting the throne which he hopes will soon be his, changes the course of events however, and Maximus's decent from one of the most powerful men in the Empire to a mere slave is dramatic. As a gladiator, he is little more than a slave to the people, a public performer who's life is forfeit. It is in this background that this dramatic story of courage, fortitude and love is played out, and what a story it is. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, and does it brilliantly, and with great sincerity - he gains the viewer's respect for a powerful performance. The cast had talent and depth, and it was great to see old-stagers like Richard Harris and Oliver Reed mixing it with the likes of exciting newcomer Joaquin Pheonix. Reed sadly passed away towards the end of filming, and the film marks a fitting tribute to him. If you didn't like the story, or the cast, the film still works as an action-movie. Aside from the splendid opening battle scenes, the gladitorial battles were visually stunning, and watch out for some great scenes with real live tigers (it just makes one even more concerned about the real threat of extinction.) And the scenery is excellent, moving from the snowy German woods to the hot sandy Roman provinces to the splendour of Rome itself. There is something for everyone here, and a sign of how popular the film has proved to be is that in my local cinema, it was still showing four months after release. Its a winner this film, it should, and probably will win you over.
Rating:
Summary: This movie well represents the time period.
Review: By far the story and action in this movie are well synchronized it is based on actual characters and truth. Maximus was the one fictional character of a real story. We don't know if it happened this way, but it could of. Marcus Aurealis dies one of the greatest of Roman Emperors and the last of the golden age of Rome. Only to be succeeded by his son, Commedus, who was a vain, foolish, and comtemptable tyrant. I believed that this story was stunning visually and dramatically, the effects were delicious with just enough gore, to provide with one of the best stories I have ever seen. I was moved countless times, by all the characters. Even Commedus, the tyrant, you loved him and felt sorry for him, because he didn't really want to be the tyrant, he wanted the love of his father, and without that he became horribly ambitious. Five stars just sometimes doesn't seem good enough.
Rating: 
Summary: Half snooze, half rush!
Review: You know... I couldn't help but ask my friends "do you like movies about gladiators" while we were standing in line to buy tickets for this film. Of course that is the famous line from Airplane: the Sequel spoken by Peter Graves. Well, the truth is that this Ridley Scott film could have been better. My primary problem with the film is that it dragged on and on and on. The first hour was especially horrible. I had gotten a terrific night's sleep the night before this matinee, yet this film was trying to knock me out like Nyquil. Anyway, if you can suffer through the first hour, then you can probably stay awake. Russell Crowe is a general in the Caesar's army. The Caesar is what I would consider a reformist. Instead of leaving the role of Roman emperor to his son, the Caesar leaves it to his general. Well, obviously this doesn't set well with the son. So, the son kills the ailing Caesar, and assumes the leadership of the empire. The general somehow gets arrested and manages to become a gladiator... somehow. Anyway, aside from the dragging plot at the beginning, I was also tired of seeing the little boy who looked like a girl. I was also tired of seeing Joaquin Phoenix trying to get it on with his sister. Oh, and I'm sorry, but I lost all respect for this actor after his role in Spacecamp (back when he was known as Leaf Phoenix). Now the movie's special effects were great, and the soundtrack sounded very cool. The last hour and a half of the movie was action filled, but I think the character portrayed by Djimon Hounsou (Stargate) was a token character. He really didn't seem to have any purpose in the whole film except to be the token sidekick guy. All in all, this film could have been more exciting to me, but it was still a pain to sit through. ...
Rating:
Summary: great
Review: These movie, to me of course, in one of the best movies of these year, Russel is one best acor in this moment
Rating: 
Summary: Different from Anthony Mann¿s Epic
Review: This fabricated computer generated epic adventure attempts to mimic the large-scale Hollywood films from the 50s and 60s. Scott's film however works better on a more intimate level dealing with the stoic yet tragic figure of Maximus played by Russell Crow. I was taken by surprise when I first saw this film. Ten minutes into it I realized that it was a retelling, albeit a different central plot, of Anthony Mann's brilliant "The Fall of the Roman Empire". Mann did not need CG effects to tell his massive tale. He did it the old fashioned way. Production designers Veniero Colasanti and John Moore along with Alex Weldon's Special effects gave "The Fall of the Roman Empire" a visual richness, depth and character we seldom see anymore. The CG effects of Rome and the Coliseum in "Gladiator" are very bland and uninteresting. They add nothing to give us any sense of grandeur or scale, as they should have, to symbolically stand as the insurmountable foe and tormentor of the main character. The gladiatorial battles in the arena are a blur. They are a combination of quick editing and CG effects. Sam Peckinpah did the same with brilliant editing and slow motion effects in 1977 for his "Cross of Iron," an intimate World War II film focusing on the slaughter and mayhem of combat. This type of visual Impressionism worked for Peckinpah. It is not as successful in "Gladiator." If you take away the deafening digital surround effects from "Gladiator" all that remains is an incomprehensible blur of images. There are many characters in "Gladiator" but they do not hold together as a cohesive ensemble as they did in "The Fall of the Roman Empire." Scott's attempt at comic relief is not altogether satisfying. I remember one scene of sophistication and wit in Mann's epic. While on the frontier, Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guinness) reviews a parade of chariot ridding emissaries from different nations visiting him from the Four Corners of the Empire. Timonides (James Mason), his close friend and adviser, announces each one as they approach. Each emissary hails Aurelius and Aurelius reciprocates to each one with a raised hand of recognition. One emissary Timonides doesn't recognize. He looks at Aurelius. Aurelius doesn't recognize him either He shrugs his shoulders, smiles and nods. The parade continues. The best asset of this film is Russell Crow's strong silent performance. He is a professional soldier turned into a professional killer. He survives only for the sole purpose of dying face to face with his nemesis so he can be free of this world and enter the next. The poignancy of his performance made the entire film worthwhile. I saw more than a few tears being shed at the end of this film.
Rating:
Summary: This is a Killer Movie
Review: I saw Sparticus, I Claudius, Fall of the Roman Empire. HereGladiator opens its jaws and never let you go. Loved it! If you are looking for entertainment, go see Gladiator!
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry people- this one sucked!
Review: I really wonder why on Earth almost everyone thought this was a great movie! Well, with the exception of the decent cinematography, this movie was a poor one! First of all, the plot was too STALE, perhaps older than the Roman Empire! The plots of Ben Hur and Gladiator were basically the same! ; there was nothing special. The movie starts with a spectacular battle scene, but after only half an hour, it deteriorates into CLICHES and EXAGGERATIONS! Yes, Maximus was too exaggerated as a hero; was he Maximus or superman! And, as for the visual effects, they were very poor! Look at the LOst World, Jurassic Park: dinosaurs- non existing creatures-- were amazingly realistic. In contrast, the tiger- an existing creature- which Maximus came up against with was obviously non realistic-- more like a character of a Disney animation! So I would be pleased if all gladiator fans, who are fascinated by the fake beauty of that movie, stop giving this poor movie more than it deserves!
Rating:
Summary: Oh My God!
Review: When I was ragged off to see this movie, I wasn't exactly joyful, as I absolutely hate bloody chop-em-up movies. But as I watched, that all changed. The movie is sooo captivating! I did find myself crying, alot. This wasn't just an action movie, it goes much deeper, into the story of a man caught up in a struggle. A political, physical, and emotional sruggle. Yes, it did have some pretty bloody fight seens, so don't take your young children to see it, but they weren't as bloody as the real thing would have been, and they don't need to be either. It was truly the best movie I've ever seen, and Russell Crowe's performance has some people thinking Oscar. And did you know it was Russell's idea to have the wheat scenes, and that he wrote the little speech about missing his home? This was a great movie, and all the characters are very well done.(The evil emperor, who I've affectinately dubbed,"The Evil Sissy Boy" was terrific, and the main character, Maximus, is so well portrayed that you feel what he's feeling. I can't figure out why the critics rsjected this movie! Anyway, you take all this and add it to a handsome and heroic Russell Crowe in Gladiator's armor, and you have a clear cut winner! But decide for yourself, go see this movie! Roma Victa!
Rating:
Summary: Destined to be a classic!
Review: When I watched 'The Gladiator' in the local Cinema, it left me breathless. It's 2000's first true Blockbuster that deserves the recognition as one of the best movies of all time. When the victorious Roman general Maximus, is asked to be successor of dying Emperor Marcus Aurelius, he is torn between ruling the Empire and returning to his family. Commodus, Aurelius' son, is enraged that his father picked someone else instead of him. He kills Aurelius, before Maximus can come to his own decision. Commodus assumes his father's throne and sentences Maximus and his family at home, to death. Maximus barely escapes, only to return home to find his family butchered. Through a Chronicle of events, Marcus finds himself sold into slavery and forced to become a Gladiator. His overwhelming success in the arena allows him to meet Commodus face to face and by the end of the movie, for a final showdown. The movie does get more than a little bloody, but if you push that aside you have a masterpiece. Russell Crowe takes acting to another level with his character, Maximus. The cast is superb. Today's technical genius allowed the Gladiator to appear as authentic as possible: I never realized that the Coliseum was almost completely computer generated, until I read about it. Ridley Scott did a great job directing the movie. This Gladiator has everything: Love, Action, Drama, Vengeance, and a whole lot more. It is a movie that is going to be remembered for all time.
Rating:
Summary: Rock On
Review: This movie Rocks...Waiting for the DVD so I can enjoy it again.
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