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
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
And they call that civilization This extended version is a lot denser that what I remembered of the 2000 commercial version. The politics of Rome are explored in a lot more detail, particularly that strange power the Roman Emperor had because of his own praetorian guard that was doing absolutely everything he ordered, and took orders only from the Emperor. At the end, when the Emperor is dead or nearly dead because he is defeated and disarmed, they refuse to obey their own officer. They will obey him only when the sister comes down and... more info
Go buy This was of course the last chance to see the great Oliver Reed (sober to boot - he died during filming in the middle of a drinking session, which also apparantly involved arm-wrestling). Its simply a superb film - no expense spared on set, and no imagination spared on making every second rivetting.
ONE REVIEW ONE SENTENCE The Gladiator surpasses all expectations for a nights entertainment with Crowe, as Roman General Maximus, who delivers a perfect performance as a man driven by revenge, and also for bringing Oliver Reed back to life!
A true masterpiece This perhaps my favourite film of all time, I have een it many times and it does not loose it's appeal, an action film with real heart and soul. Gladiator has a superb cat Oliver Reeds(superb as Proximo) Richard Harris (Marcus Aurellius) Russle Crowe (Gladiator) are the stand outs in my view. Crowe delivers a strong emotional performance he portrays a constant conflict of anger and sadness. The special effeccts make you feel like rome is there to be grapsed(the collesium is spectacular)
The film is... more info
![Gladiator (3 Disc Extended Special Edition) [2000]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51261Y25FNL._SL160_.jpg)
