Movie Seventy Seven
Very few films these days could be aptly called “epics”, but Ridley Scott’s Gladiator surely fits that bill.
From the title alone, you know Gladiator will provide some great arena battles but it has a much deeper story than just a vehicle progressing from one battle to the next. First, Gladiator is a story of revenge.
Great Roman general, Maximus (Russell Crowe), is set to be placed into power by Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Upon learning this, the Emperor’s son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), murders Aurelius and takes control of Rome. Maximus knows the truth, but Commodus orders the murder of his family and Maximus winds up as a slave to fight in the arena as a gladiator.
The acting is brilliant, and the roles are perfectly cast. I never once doubted that Crowe could actually do some of the things Maximus does and Phoenix plays a sniveling coward of an Emperor spot-on. The sets and landscapes are breathtaking, the colors are vivid and intense, and the action will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Gladiator’s closest kin now is the Showtime Spartacus series which seems more intent on being 300 than anything else. Gladiator has taken great lengths to feel true to history, despite being fictionalized history. It has more in common with Spartacus (the 1960 Stanley Kubrick/Kirk Douglas outing) or Ben-Hur which is refreshing. Despite its length (about 150 minutes) it doesn’t drag nor overstay its welcome. Gladiator is a film that deserves its Academy Award for Best Picture.
I give it 5 tiger battles out of 5.
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I completely agree, this is one of my all time favorite movies. Great review.
Andy, I seem to be quite on my film opinions at the moment. I was frowned upon for my opinion on The Muppets and Titanic and I’m afraid I have to be controversial again. I am a big fan of Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe. I also really like Joaquin Phoenix but I found this film to be so melodramatic. Some of the dialogue, was abysmally bad. Oliver Reed really hamming it up in particular. I often find with films – with big name actors – that we are conned into thinking it’s something special. I found that with this. Great cast, great director. I love the soundtrack but I found it all a bit too ‘staged’. It tried too hard to compete with the epic films of the past. (I really must add a review of my own soon, so I can explain better) 😉
I don’t disagree with your points. I have always shared a similar feeling about dialogue in all movies of this sort where it’s too terse or verbose for its own good. Still, the movie charms the hell out of me. I look forward to your review to hear more!
I must certainly add a few comments on this film with a review but I’m in danger of ostracising a few of my followers. I’m not doing it to be controversial, it’s just my thoughts. (shit! I just spilled my drink while writing this comment) 😉 anyway, I’ll assemble my thoughts and post when I can. I’ve a few posts stil to edit.
Liking your stuff though, keep it cowing.
Not a fan of this one. I think it’s one of the most least deserving Best Picture winners in a long time.
MrMcBam, I totally agree! This and Titanic find themselves in my most overrated of movies list.
Yeh, stick to yer guns, Andy. ‘Gladiator’ is thumping good fun.
Not sure if it deserves old Oscar, but it is Epic. And the soundtrack is immense.
Such a stunning movie. I freakin’ love it. The acting, the costumes, art direction, everything is flawless. I miss Joaquin Phoenix.
I do too. It’s a shame his career has spiraled downward.
Did you guys happen to catch that mockumentary I’m Still Here that Phoenix and Affleck did?
Thanks for reading! I never did, I kind of want to but I’m really not sure if I want to spend the time watching it…Is it any good?
I was actually a bit surprised by how much I liked it. He pretty much stayed in character for months and months while they made the film. Pretty impressive piece of acting but certainly not everyones cup of tea. I reviewed it a couple of months ago on our site.
No, I actually haven’t. How is it?
I think it is worth a watch. He took a lot of S**t for going all in on that role. People were pretty much convinced he was throwing his career away. Its an impressive piece of acting in my opinion. I am looking forward to seeing him do some more mainstream type roles but it was interesting.
I think its streaming on Netflix or at least it was when I saw it.
Totally epic and very, very awesome when it came to staging its action scenes. I do think that Crowe’s performance here was a little too overrated and that Phoenix was so much better and deserved that Oscar more than Del Toro. Than again, two different types of roles so it’s really hard to judge. Good review Andy.
I would agree that Phoenix gives a better performance, yeah but I still think it’s one of Crowe’s best roles. Thanks!
Epic. You nailed it there buddy. I loved this damned movie. So, Andywatchesmovies, but does he enjoy the occasional read? If so, stop by my blog sometime, you might be pleasantly surprised 🙂
Thanks for reading! I do enjoy reading, so I’ll check out your blog
thanks mate! Keep up the great reviews 😀
First time I watched it I was so impressed by all the stuff in the arenas but after countless re-watches, I am also so caught up in the all the politics and Commodus’ wierd relationship with his sister. Still those gladiator scenes are some bloody brilliant action.
Yeah, this was the 3rd or 4th time I’ve seen it since it was in theaters and I still think there are layers to the story that I’ve missed.
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I love this film!
Just caugth this again on TV, HBO maybe? the other day. One of the few times epic could be an understatement. Nice review
Awesome, awesome challenge!Watching all ’em movies in one year! And ‘Gladiator’ is THE legend of such.
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This is the only successful epic in the past 10 years, wish they could make epics again 🙂
I wish they would too, but I’m not sure if they are marketable/profitable these days, unfortunately.
They would probably just screw it up anyway, keep the classics 🙂
Haha, they totally would and I’m fine with the classics anyway!
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Although the battle scenes are justly praised, I also thought that the story and performances where equally as good.