Candice923
"I'm Not Impressed."
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Rating:
My rating indicates my regard for this film in terms of its entertainment value. The plot is essentially uncomplicated and too often predictable. There is almost no character development. And there is only one conflict, really, whose resolution occurs long after the most thrilling action has occurred. However, Russell Crowe's performance as Maximus is (no pun intended) commanding, the special effects are first-rate, and -- from beginning to end -- this film is visually stunning. The plot (such as it is) focuses on Maximus who, soon after his greatest military victory, finds himself enslaved and in training to become a gladiator. (By then we already know that he is a fearless and skillful warrior.) Eventually, circumstances enable him to return to Rome where he hopes to gain revenge on Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) for reasons which should not be revealed in a commentary such as this. Although working with an idea-impoverished screenplay, director Ridley Scott keeps the narrative moving along at a brisk but appropriate pace. Although Crowe dominates the screen (and was later selected to receive an Academy Award as best actor), others in the cast provide strong performances. I was especially impressed by Phoenix, Richard Harris' brief appearance as Marcus Aurelius, Oliver Reed (Proximo), Djimon Hounsou (Juba), Derek Jacobi (Gracchus), and Connie Nielsen as Commodus' sister Lucilla.
+4
For me, three years after seeing Gladiator for the first time, the dominant images are no longer those of the life-or-death competition but rather, of the opening scenes when Maximus leads his troops to victory against the Saxons, later when he returns to his farm, and still later when he and Juba nourish their friendship with exchanges of confidences. How ironic that a film so filled with brilliantly-staged violence should persist in my memory because of images wholly unrelated to that violence. It received an Academy Award as best film as well as for best costume design, sound, and visual effects. I think it is a notch or two above earlier and similar films such as The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) but not quite in the same league with the director's cut version of Spartacus (1960). One man's opinion.
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FM_ALEX
October 22, 2010
This was indeed a fun one
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More Gladiator reviews
From the moment the movie starts the imagery grabs the audience and draws them in with action. The movie keeps the audience interested in what is going on with strong performances of Russel Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Neilsen, Djimon Hounsou, and many others. All emotions were felt as real from the actors. The fight scenes were filmed showing the power and the emotion of the soldiers, not just the fighting for the sake of it. Crowe's performance brought me close … more
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This is one of the few that touched my heart to much that it made me cry.
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One of my top 10 i love this movie i own it on Blu-Ray you will enjoy this..
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Quick Tip by Laur32.
June 14, 2010
favorite line: what you do in life echoes in eternity
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Quick Tip by Scotman.
November 22, 2009
Played this on my first DVD player ever. Great film.
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review by Captain_Couth.
May 17, 2009
Gladiator is an overrated nightmare. Whoever wrote this screenplay did not research their history very well. The acting was mediocre and it's filled with numerous flaws and wholesale gaps of logic. I hate when film makers do this. Why not make it a farce. People (like me) would have accepted it as such if they did. If you're going to do a report or a research paper on the Roman Empire, you'll fail if you copy from this movie. But, I was impressed with the recreation of the games in the Roman Colosseum. & … more
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Gladiator is one of my favorite movies. It has action, drama, great cinematography, outstanding fight scenes, love, great acting, and most importantly, it's a great story.For those who haven't seen it I don't want to give away the entire plot. Briefly, Maximus, the virtuous and victorious commander of the Roman army over the Visigoths, is asked by the dying Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, to become the protectorate of Rome upon his death and return the rule of law to the Senate, making Rome once again … more
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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 … more
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review by lordchimp253.
March 28, 2001
Gladiator has somehow garnered adulation. It snagged the Oscar for Best Picture (no mean feat), made lots of money, and collected a reasonable share of critical acclaim. But even after watching it (twice), I steadfastly stick to my conclusion that Gladiator is not a great movie...not even a good one.Gladiator holds promise for a heroic story with a liberal dosing of medieval battles. In the end, I am left with a feeling that the film is a blatant retread of Braveheart and other more successful varieties … more
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review by AdamHunnicutt.
February 23, 2001
Goodbye, to another hard hit-negative review. Here is the revision of a review written months ago. Gladiator is a delivery of a story told in the form of many movies, but not in character. Maximus is a man troubled with loves past and desires nothing but to go home once the barbarians are destroyed. Before granting his wish the Emporer asks him to take rule of Rome, Leaving his own son without a throne. Joaquin Pheonix plays a terrific sadistic maniac that would do anything to claim the throne, … more
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About the reviewer
Robert Morris (Robert1936)
Professionally, I am an independent management consultant who specializes in accelerated executive development and breakthrough high-impact organizational performance. I also review mostly business books … more
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About this movie
Ridley Scott (BLADE RUNNER, ALIEN) transports Hollywood to second-century Rome in this rousing historical epic that proudly hearkens back to such films as BEN-HUR and SPARTACUS. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who leads the troops in conquering Germania for the empire. When an aging Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) tells Maximus that he'd like him to rule Rome once he's gone, a classic confrontation ensues between the brave and charming soldier--who wants to return home to his wife, son, and farm--and the jealous and conniving Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the emperor's only son, who is thirsty for power. Bought as a slave by the profiteering Proximo (Oliver Reed, in his last role), Maximus must kill or be killed in the ring, battling to save not only himself but the future of the very empire that he loves and honors. The film features a terrific battle sequence (that recalls the beginning of SAVING PRIVATE RYAN), huge crowd scenes of thousands of people, and even a little romance, albeit mostl...
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Cast:
Russell Crowe,
Djimon Hounsou,
Derek Jacobi,
Richard Harris,
Joaquin Phoenix,
John Shrapnel,
Tomas Arana,
Sven Ole Thorsen,
Connie Nielsen,
Ralph Moeller,
David Schofield,
Spencer Treat Clark,
Oliver Reed,
David Hemmings,
Giorgio Cantarini,
Omid Djalili
Director:
Ridley Scott
Genre:
Drama
Release Date:
May 5, 2000
MPAA Rating:
R
Runtime:
2hrs 34min
Studio:
Dreamworks SKG
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