Rating: 
Summary: In one word-MAGNIFICENT!
Review: I must have seen this movie a thousand times. It's absolutely wonderful! The acting is spectacular, the music is stunning, the battle scenes will keep you on the edge of your seat and the costumes are accurately correct and original. It's no wonder why it won "Best Picture" but why didn't it win "Best Director"?? I thought for sure it was going to. I still can't get over that-it boggles the mind. But this is a great movie and definitly worth buying the DVD. It has TONS of special features including millions of deleted scenes. Wonderful DVD! Wonderful movie! Wonderful cast! This movie has it all! If you are crazy over this movie as I am, I reccommend buying the movie guide. It has everything you ever wanted to know about this movie. Including how they made the movie, costumes, story, some history, about the cast, and MUCH more. ~Did you know all the armor was made out of foam covered with leather? Find out much more by purchasing the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Powerful, simple revenge story
Review: Hero is betrayed, but gets his vengeance in the end. Its a simple plot, brilliantly executed. I liked the way Russell Crowe played the character - subtle strength and determination. But I suppose everyone knows that by now. The emperor, on the other hand, was also acted well. One could sense the cunning behind the eyes, and his ephemeral whims spoke of a psychotic demon. A man to be feared and despised for his weak-willed nature. Would this movie have gone any better without the last victim?
Rating: 
Summary: Ah, the Critics and Their Dubious Tastes!
Review: More recently, the critics took aim and fired collectively at Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor. One of the criticisms was the film's (alleged) lack of attention to historical fact. Indeed, Michael Bay took some liberties with Pearl Harbor. He altered history. With Gladiator, history was not altered, but put through a paper shredder and completely re-written. Early in the film, the audience is asked to go along with the most ludicrous of propositions. It goes like this. Caesar, (played by Richard Harris) is weary of war and conquest. He would like to die knowing that Rome will be reformed. Thus, he makes known his desire to make Marcus Aurelius, (played by Russell Crowe) the new Emperor. He would rather have a soldier be Emporer than his own son. Why? Because he wants to give power "back to the people." Anyone who knows anything about Roman history ought to be ashamed for swallowing this whopper. The real Caesar didn't give a rat's behind about giving power to the people. One has to get past this ludicrous idea from the get go, or spend the rest of the movie scratching his head. And the battle scenes? Well they are so obviously computer animated, I felt l as though I was watching Rogger Rabbit vs. Ben Hur. And what's more, the basic plot seems stolen straight from the Mad Max movies and placed in an Acient Roman setting. The hero's family is murdered, and so our hero must rise up against seemingly unstoppable forces to get revenge. Sound familiar? I can agree that Russell Crowe is a fine actor, as are the other players in this film. But I don't understand how that excuses all of the other flaws. Even still, lots of folks out there liked it, so I guess its just a matter of taste. Check it out, but be ready to seriously suspend your disbelief.
Rating:
Summary: Bring It On.
Review: Many years ago, Hollywood mass produced epic movies that were not only monuments of spectacle, but also contained meaningful messages that gave films moral magnitude as well. There are several reasons why Hollywood stopped making epic movies and just a few short years ago the great movie epic was said to be dead. Well, the great movie epic is back. It began with BRAVEHEART in 1995 and reached new and different heights with SAVING PRIVATE RYAN in 1998. The tradition coninues with GLADIATOR. GLADIATOR is the story of Maximus, a fictional Roman general. Maximus is the greatest of all Rome's generals. A dying Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, chooses a reluctant Maximus as his heir. However, the Emperor's son, Commodus, has different ideas. Therefore, instead of the Imperial Palace in Rome, Maximus soon finds himself as a slave sold as a gladiator fighting to stay alive on the fringes of the Empire. Maximus is chosen to fight in Rome and from there he plots how to revenge himself against Commodus and make Rome a republic again. Russell Crowe plays Maximus and one word need only be said: amazing. After stellar performances in L.A. CONFIDENTIAL and THE INSIDER, GLADIATOR has cemented Crowe's place with the top echelon of Hollywood's elite. Other noteworthy performances include that of the late Oliver Reed, who plays the gladiator owner/trainer, and Djimon Hounson, who plays Maximus' gladiator friend. Director Ridley Scott has revived the "Roman movie" with this awesome epic. The melding of great performances, visual scenery, special effects, and sound story is a testimony of Scott's skill as a filmmaker. GLADIATOR also contains a moral message. Maximus is a religious man; yes a pagan, but a religious one nonetheless. He is tossed around the wheel of fortune, yet ends the film as he began: a man of integrity and honor. All must die. Yet, it is how we live our lives that makes a difference. That's a lesson, especially in our current troubled times, that's worth hearing (and seeing) again and again.
Rating:
Summary: gladiator....best movie in the world!
Review: Gladiator was an exellent movie with a stunning cast. crowe and phoenix were exelent. I cant take my eyes off of this movie! i have watched it every day scince september 17,2001! if you havent seen it you MUST!
Christy
age 13
Rating:
Summary: Gladiator...A Movie of Epic Proportions
Review: There are good movies and there are great movies. A great movie has the ability to transport the audience from mere spectator to participant. Ridley Scott's GLADIATOR thrusts the viewer into ancient Roman history through the character of General Maximus Meridius. He is a storied hero, a man with integrity and values, honorable to his lord, Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Although the film is not completely accurate in its historicity, Scott gives enough fact to send the audience back in time to ancient Rome, during the reign of the Caesars. The film begins on the battlefield with Rome engaging in one last conflict. A victory will further expand the Empire and secure its quest for world domination, a worthy achievement for a Roman emperor. Led by Maximus, the powerful Roman army overcomes the opposition in a bloody war scene, which is not for the meek and timid. Victorious celebration follows, but Marcus Aurelius, aging and dying, is not completely satisfied. He summons Maximus to his quarters and shares his feelings and wishes with him, as a father would a son. Marcus Aurelius: There was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile.
Marcus Aurelius: You have proven your valor once again, Maximus. Let us hope for the last time.
Maximus Decimus Meridius: There is no one left to fight, sire.
Marcus Aurelius: There is always someone left to fight. How can I reward Rome's greatest general?
Maximus Decimus Meridius: Let me go home.
Marcus Aurelius: Ah, home. These words set the tone for the remainder of the movie for indeed this would not be Maximus' last fight. Marcus Aurelius' son, Commodus, would soon take over the reign of the great empire and almost instantaneously, the dream that was Rome would disappear. As for Maximus, he would suffer through many a hardship, and find himself fighting for Rome, not as a general, but as a gladiator. GLADIATOR is a great movie, and one of epic proportions. It is so good that it can be watched repeatedly, with the audience standing in awe, learning something new with each showing. This is a film with plenty of action thus satisfying those with a lust for bloody fight scenes. Men especially will enjoy watching Maximus in his gladiator battles, but women will be enamored with his softer side. He is a loyal family man, honorable, and a man of integrity. It is also an educational movie for history lovers or anyone interested in ancient Roman history. Scott paints a vivid picture for audiences as he is acute to historical detail, such as the scenes from the Roman Colisseum, which give the audience a real sense of being there. Moreover, Scott touches on some philosophical and sociological issues that will appease the intellectual mind as well. GLADIATOR is a great movie, because it has a fine cast of actors, beginning with Russell Crowe (Maximus) in the lead role. Crowe is perfect for the part, having lost around 40 lbs. to play the muscular general, his New Zealand accent adding a touch of a classic quality to the role. His performance was outstanding and the success of the film depended on it. Playing the part of the antagonist was Joaquin Phoenix (Commodus) who was equally sensational. He was definitely in character as the evil ruler, but also excelled in his alter-ego, a very frightened little boy who could not live up to his father's wishes. Moreover, the supporting cast was wonderful from top to bottom, but add two seasoned veterans like Richard Harris (Marcus Aurelius) and Oliver Reed (Proximo) to this list and you get a great movie. On a sad note, Reed passed away soon after shooting the movie, but the film was dedicated to him in the credits. His role as Proximo, the trainer of gladiators, was excellent as his character was both tough and funny. In conclusion, many different qualities must come together to distinguish a good movie from a great one, and Ridley Scott has hit on all eight cylinders. GLADIATOR belongs in every family's movie archive, yes, it is that GREAT.
Rating:
Summary: Not bad
Review: A very opulent oeuvre.
Music is great, special effects too.
There are few films except "Lassie", I had to battle tears at the end.
It's much more emotional than I expected.
The vilain is really convincing and I do not regret waiting for the original uncut american version, rather than the german mutilated one. Very well done, after all! Greetings
Robin
Rating:
Summary: What a disappointment
Review: The most overrated and disappointing movie in years. Cheesy special effects, lurid overracting, ponderous, cliche-filled story. I have rewatched it several times, thinking, "It can't be that bad. I must have missed something. There must be more to it." Well, it is that bad, I didn't miss anything, and there's nothing mroe to it than that.
Rating: 
Summary: so-so
Review: Thin on dialogue and plot. OK for fans of action movies, which I'm not. Cecil B. DeMille did this kind of thing more colorfully.
Rating:
Summary: is there anything crowe can't play??
Review: The basic plot follows Maximus, a Roman general forced to fight for his freedom. That is the plot stripped to the bare bare bare essentials, for it is so much more than that. Russell Crowe immerses himself in the role, and, if one overlooks the ambiguous British (?) accent that he and so many other characters toss about, the acting is pretty strong throughout. There are some definite parallels with "Braveheart," (ie the "Hold...... Hold...... HOLD" bit, if you're familiar with both movies) but this movie strives to be put in its own class. I, myself, have never seen any of Scott's other movies, but he handles himself well in this movie. There are some instances where he comes across as trying to be innovative and "new age," (ie exposed-film shots, eye-rolling experimentation with color/texture of film during dream sequences) when he is really a (albeit GREAT) conventional director. The fight scenes are presented in a very original manner, and you feel like you need to see the movie again just to truly grasp what the HECK is going on. Along the same lines, there is the "Whoa, cool... killing" aspect to the movie sometimes, but (say it with me) it's to be expected. And they really are cool and original! Sorry, random testosterone outburst. The cinematography is generally exquisite, but falters occasionally (especially in one instance when it does one of those annoying "hey, pay attention to this" zoom-ins while someone is speaking.) The script is actually more intelligent than you would think, but it is not without flaws. Classic line: "This vexes me. I'm terribly vexed." The audience laughs when it should be cowering in fear. Speaking of, Joaquin Phoenix fills his role as the flawed Commodus, but only shines through occasionally. Similarly, Connie Nielsen is merely sufficient in her role. She can pull up tears and be the strong-woman type, and that's what's required of her. Although the movie presents concrete historic names (not so sure about Maximus himself, but it does throw around names like 'Marcus Aurelius,' among others) and places, the credits admit that the story is completely fictitious. It also has a difficult time depicting that--time. I was very confused about that. Movies that try and imply time by facial hair and dirt confuse me. Now, to the good: THE MOVIE IS BEAUTIFUL. The costumes are AMAZING. I could watch the entire movie on MUTE just to gawk at the amazing costumes and makeup, especially on Nielsen's character, Lucilla. They are GORGEOUS, and sometimes distracting from the plot itself (but not in a bad way.) The scenery and special effects are equally breathtaking and seamless. Scott's beautiful use of color is also appreciated in the "real world" majority of the film, but, once again, the forced dream sequences come across as an old-timer trying to be hip.
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