This is one excellent epic film. GLADIATOR will give you almost 3 hours of excitement, thrills
and adventure that will absolutely amaze you. Ridley Scott has finally made a film that challenges
BLADE RUNNER as his best film. He has made a wonderful to show what happened in Rome
after the death of Marcus Aurelius.
The film opens with a spectacular battle scene that rivals those in BRAVEHEART. The battle
scenes and scenes later in the film force me not to recommend this for children. I think you will
find to violent for children under 13. The battle arena introduces us to the aging,
almost dying Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) and his most trusted General
Maximus Meridius (Russell Crowe). Maximus is the son that the Emperor always wanted, a son unlike
the cowardly Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), the emperor's 20 year old son. Maximus has made the
emperor proud in defeating the Germans. This is just another battle that has made Maximus a
respected and undefeated Roman general; a Spaniard that has never been to Rome.
Commodus and his sister, Lucilla (Connie Nelson) arrive on the battle field only to witness the end
of the battle and the the soldiers' great respect for Maximus. The hardest thing for him to witness
is his Marcus' great respect for Maximus whom he sees as his son and heir to his throne.
Maximus on the other hand only has a longing to return home to his wife Sellina, his son and the
family olive oil business. Commodus realizes what is going to happen and pleads with his father
only to be rebuked. Commodus commits patricide before the Emperor is able to appoint Maximus
to Potector of Rome. Commodus orders that Maximus be executed after the general refuses to
accept him as the new emperor. He is framed for Marcus Aurelius' death. He escapes and tries to
make his way back home to save his family who will surely be destroyed by Commodus' command.
He is too late and gets captured by slavers. He is sold to Proximo, played beautifully by the late
Oliver Reed. Proximo is a freed gladiator who now runs a gladiator school and takes an
instant liking to Maximus. During many battles in the gladiatorial rings Maximus shows his prowess
as a great fighter and quickly attracts the loyality of the others.
In Rome, Commodus has earned the disdain of the senators and even his sister and worst of all his
subjects do not really care for him. He decides to keep the minds of the unhappy subjects off him by
giving then BREAD AND CIRCUSES. He decides on 150 days of celebration in the Coluseum by giving
them bread and gladiators. These gladiators would fight to the death against other gladiators,
soldiers and even ferious animals. This was supposed to make him respected by his people
unfortunately a gladiator of great prowess known as The Spaniard over shadows the insane
Emperor. The consequences make for an incredible story that you will have to go and see because
I do not want to say much more about GLADIATOR.
'Hail Emperor, those who are about to die salute you.'
You will see superb photography, scenery, battles, bravery, betrayals and much death. Most of all you
will see some great acting in . Russell Crowe who sounds a lot like Mel GIbson in this
movie is just great. You may remember that he also starred in THE INSIDER, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL and
many more. Richard Harris is his usually wonderful self as Marcus Aurelius. What was great to see
was Oliver Reed in his last role. He played Proximo brilliantly and I am happy to say that his last role
was probably one of his best. Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus was very good and portrayed him
with just the right amount of insanity. Other notables are Djimon Hounsou who plays the African
gladiator, Juba and Ralph Moeller a giant gladiator who stars on television show Conan.
The only thing that would make this movie any better would be viewing it in an old, huge palace theatre
like all those wonderful epics of the past such as BEN HUR and LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. Oh well, one can
dream right? See you at the movies.
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