Gladiator
Gladiator
Gladiator -
Overview
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Brief Review
Russell Crowe delivers arguably his best ever acting performance in this action-soaked spectacular. The epic tale of a gladiator that becomes a slave and rises up to oppose the oppressing emperor is not only a good story but also done in such a brilliant way as to make it one of the best films out there today. At 2 and a half hours, Gladiator is a long old ride but this one is definitely worth making.
Full Review
Gladiator is a film released back in 2000 focusing on the end of the Roman Invasion, starting the film with the last battle in Germania. Although the beginning of the film is drenched in external conflict and bloodshed, its after the dust has settled that the real conflict begins; with an internal struggle festering and slowly manifesting its way out. This is a tale of treachery, revenge and action.
After the final battle, Maximus, the commander of the army, is asked to become Caesar above the current Caesar's own Son which is where the trouble begins. After killing his own father, Commodus takes his place as the current Caesar and orders for Maximus to be executed. After escaping from certain death only to find his wife and son have been murdered, the revenge tale begins and Maximus becomes a slave, rising up to become a gladiator and finally confronting Commodus himself.
The pacing of the story is spot on and so well done that the 2 and a half hours that this film goes on for just flies by. The action is spread across the entire story with the real meat being when Maximus becomes a gladiator and fights in the games. The cuts and camera work are also bang on the money and delivered in a smooth ride with no shaky camera work to be seen and no sloppy editing. The action itself is gruesome in some parts so it might not be to everyone's tastes.
Russell Crowe himself plays the revenge-struck General Maximus to perfection with a master-class in acting. His character is easy to root for and side with and his path of destruction is interesting to watch as his character changes with the situations he's put under. The story of a General that becomes a slave, a slave that becomes a gladiator and then a gladiator who opposes an Empire is a thrilling tale and a neat idea.
Commodore, played by Joaquin Phoenix, also plays his part to perfection as the creepy but sinister Caesar as he struggles for control over the people and his weird obsession with his sister is uncomfortable to watch but also helps to alienate his character from audiences. His best scenes are definitely the ones with Maximus as the two actors bounce well off each other and its a shame they don't have too many scenes together.
The Romans are a subject that haven't really been touched much in film recently with more World War thrillers than anything else but Gladiator is a thrilling ride drenched in a tale of revenge and treachery, reigniting the Roman flame. The story is excellent and Russell Crowe steals the show with some brilliant acting and a fantastic performance. With equally impressive music from Enya and some classy cuts and photography work, Gladiator is a film surrounded with an aura of class. This is a film that shouldn't be missed.