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Rated: R
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, et al.
Director: Ridley Scott Review
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its
golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a rousing,
grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire
via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer
work done for, say, Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will
leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling
at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus,
Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and
acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated
shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave
to gladiator hero. Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean
machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with
lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings
appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced
with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted
but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are
shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--Saving
Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the
evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority,
whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting
after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver
Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and gravitas as the
slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum
star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with
breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's
Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator,
worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero! --Mark Englehart
------------- A general becomes a slave,
who becomes stronger that Caesar.
Solid script writing with good cohesion, great acting from
a deep and solid cast, great (and eerie) music, fantastic sets (a real
coliseum, and surreal special effects), great directing, great Director's
Commentary by Ridley Scott and great DVD special features includes a short
documentary on gladiators.
Review: Movie mixes some history with good
story telling and truly great special effects - the creation of an
accurate Rome and the Coliseum. Good intrigue, and twists, along with some
robust (bloody) gladiator fights. This movie makes Russell Crowe, and he
makes the movie. Joquin Phoenix delivers a great performance being a
demented Caesar (Comodus) who gains audience sympathy with his sick and
twisted weaknesses (his search for being loved). His sister Lucilla
(Connie Nielson) is exceptionally regal, without being overly affected.
Richard Harris does a surprisingly great job and his short performance
sets the stage as Caesar Augustus - the great leader and empire builder
whose failed fatherhood (to Comodus) leads to the conflagration between
Maximus and Comodus. Story: Rome's greatest
general Maximus (Crowe) finds himself thrust into slavery when he narrowly
escapes being murdered on the orders of Comodus (Phoenix). Maximus'
personal mission is to avenge the brutal deaths of his wife and son
against Comodus; then to join his family in the hereafter. Fearful for the
life of her young son Lucilla (Nielson) gains hope in staging a revolt
through Maximus when she finds him alive in the Coloseum. Because of his
fierce fighting style, Rome loves the slave Maximux and Comodus cannot
directly kill him.
Negatives: Some of the gladiator fights are
detailed and therefore gory, so be careful who you see this film with.
Also, the pagan concept of death and the portrayal of the "hereafter"
feels spiritually empty. But, that was Rome
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