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| Gladiator
Year: 1992
Classification: Action
Country: USA
Language: English
Directed:
- Rowdy Herrington
Actors/Actresses:
- Russell Crowe
- Tommy Flanagan
- Richard Harris
- Derek Jacobi
- Connie Nielsen
- Joaquin Phoenix
- Ridley Scott
- James Marshall
- Cuba Gooding Jr
- Robert Loggia
A Rousing Epic.
Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" is a roaring, romantic, moving spectacle about the glory that was Rome. This is a great film, one that brings back classic themes of the cinema that we haven't seen since the days "Spartacus" or "Quo Vadis" or even "Ben-Hur" stirred screen audiences. People have been waiting exactly for this kind of film for a long time. The purpose of a movie like "Gladiator" is to exhilarate the viewer and capture him with red-blooded drama and action. The screenplay by David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson barrows from other films and molds into a riveting story, a simple yet entertaining tale. Ridley Scott (Alien, G.I. Jane) directs with the eyes of a master, with great taste for epic material. The cinematography by John Mathieson is rich, making some scenes look like classic paintings of Ancient Rome. The editor is Pietro Scalia, who won an Oscar for Oliver Stone's "JFK," he creates some great, gritty, bone-crunching action sequences. And of course, the music by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard is effective, moving and a romping experience all in itself. "Gladiator" also works for women, it's not just a guy-flick, it has a nice, sensual feeling to the romantic material. This is fun, moving and enjoyable cinema. "Gladiator" will call you back for a second viewing.
A Stunning and Powerful Epic, but Not for the Highly Cynical
Don't be distracted by the nanny school of movie critics; this movie will take your breath away. Gladiator has it all (well, not quite--there's no sex): a truly powerful--and appealing--lead performance by Russell Crowe, stunning cinematography, the superbly paced direction that made Ridley Scott famous, and a moving soundtrack.
Crowe's brute magnetism powers Maximus, a heroic figure that Crowe manages to make entirely believable. The supporting actors are strong as well, particularly Connie Nielson (although she does hit one slightly off note at the end of the movie).
Folks, this movie is BIG; it's ambitious, and it succeeds. Gladiator isn't quite perfect: the special visual effects are a mixed bag, some fabulous, a few slightly hokey, and the performances from Oliver Reed and Joachin Phoenix, though generally impressive, are just a bit over the top. The necessities of keeping the movie a reasonable length (it ended up at about 2:20) meant the deletion of some scenes whose absence hurt the plot line. (You can see many of the deleted scenes on Disc II of the DVD set, and I think most of us would have elected to keep most of them in, even if it meant a 3 hour movie.) But the movie's strengths dwarf its few weakness, and the overall effect is undeniably powerful.
Most movie critics are cynics, which predisposes them to dislike heroic epics. Gladiator is not cynical; Crowe's Maximus, like the real-life Maximus described by Marcus Aurelius in "The Meditations," is an example of strength, courage, and honor. Still, the propulsive force of Gladiator is so potent, it managed to win over a substantial body of critics.
Note to parents: while I strongly recommend this movie to those mature enough for it (and it includes neither sex nor profanity, for those who care about such things), its violence will frighten young children.
okay
this is a three star movie with a five star dvd. one of the biggest problems with the movie was the first battle. i was expecting braveheart quality but ended with a battle less entertaining than the one in dragonheart. the blurry camera and closeups made it impossible to tell what was happening. if you want to see a movie like this but better, see the last samurai or braveheart.
Buy Gladiator at Amazon.com
Buy posters at Allposters.com
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