Gladiator

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielson, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsu, and Richard Harris
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rating: R
Genre: Drama, Historical
Box Office: $187,705,427
2000


Times Seen:
Tim: 7

Awards: 5 Academy Awards 2001: Best Picture, Best Actor(Russell Crowe), Achievement in Costume Design(Janty Yates), Achievement in Sound(Scott Millan, Bob Beemer, Ken Weston), Achievement in Visual Effects(John Nelson, Neil Corbould, Tim Burke, Rob Harvey)
The Movie Files Movie Championship I: Final Four

Summary:The epic tale of the Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe). After Emperor Marcus Aurelias is killed by his own son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Maximus is set to be executed, as well as his wife and son. Maximus escapes his execution only to be sold as a slave to fight as a gladiator. When he returns to Rome, Maximus must not only stay alive in the gladiator contests, but find a way to kill Emperor Commodus and save all of Rome.

Review:

Tim: This movie won the 2001 Academy Award for best picture. That prestigious award shows that this movie is terrific. I wholeheartedly agree with all the acclaim received for this film. Russell Crowe is magnificent in his role as Maximus. He gives perhaps the performance of his career thus far, transforming himself into the honorable and deadly General Maximus. His struggles become your struggles as you watch in awe and amazement as Crowe pulls you into the movie. He has a terrific nemesis in Joaquin Phoenix as Emperor Commodus. Phoenix has a tough role, playing the hated emperor who sends men to their death for sport, who orders the death of Maximus and his family without blinking- a man who could kill his own father; and the next minute be an incestful pansy who is afraid of the dark and whines like an eight year old girl who just discovered someone stole her My Little Pony. He pulls off this complex performance brilliantly. Gladiator also features amazing scenes of ancient Rome, some of the best fight scenes in memory, an amazing cast, and a storyline which draws you in like few films do.

This film is destined to be an action/epic classic. Ridley Scott does an excellent job behind the camera. The film is so good you never find yourself thinking about anything else- your mind never wanders because it is so enthralled in the film. This movie is quite long, at two hours and thirty-five minutes, but is so packed full of action, drama, and entertaining scenes that time just flies. Gladiator is an amazing film to watch- it is truly a work of art... no... a masterpiece. The film makes you think about many things. I am a firm believer that you can learn something about life from every single movie you see. This one makes you think about life as a whole. I think it's Proximo that says, "Sadly, you cannot choose when you die, or how you die. But, you can choose how you meet that death." Those are powerful words, and very thought- provoking. And, of course, you have the famous line by Crowe: "What we do in life echoes in eternity." Pay attention, viewers, because this film is not only entertaining, but inspirational and contemplative as well. Crowe brings so much to this film, and is well deserving of his Academy Award for Best Actor. Everyone needs to see this movie at least once. I wholeheartedly recommend purchasing this film to grab a piece of history.

One last reason for at least watching Gladiator is see how it brings to life ancient Rome. The scenery in this film, and most especially the Coliseum. Watching this movie gives you the impression you are living during the ancient Roman time. This film works on all cylinders- and is EXCELLENT.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 10
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Final Rating: -


If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: The Matrix, The Patriot, The Mummy, Gettysburg, Proof of Life, Alexander, Troy, Braveheart


©2001 The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences & ABC, Inc. All Rights Reserved