Gladiator (A or 4/4 stars)
Maximus (Russell Crowe, L.A. Confidential, The Insider) is a powerful Roman general, loved by his people, as well as the ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius (a fantastic Richard Harris) in 'Gladiator', an epic directed by the great Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise). 180 AD: the Roman Empire is thriving. Marcus Aurelius, is a kind, gentle, yet ruthless leader on the battlefield. He knows his star pupil, Maximus, will help repel barbarian threat from Germania. Though deaths are aplenty, Maximus sweeps in & wins the day for Rome (in a thrilling opening scene). Before his imminent death, the Emperor chooses Maximus to be his heir over his own power-hungry son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). But this decision clearly doesn't sit well with Marcus' jealous son.
And in a riveting fit of rage & grief, he murders his own father before news of the succession gets out. Though ordered for execution by Commodus, Maximus escapes death (slaying his would-be killers in fine fashion), & races home to protect his vulnerable family. What he finds there (in the countryside) will haunt him forever. Slave traders then capture Maximus & bring him to North Africa. There, along with new pal, Juba (the always dynamic Djimon Hounsou, of Amistad), he is bought - as a slave - by Proximo (Oliver Reed, in his last performance), a charismatic owner & trainer of Gladiator fighters.
Recognizing Maximus' lethal potential, Proximo grooms him for a trip to Rome's Coliseum (in a glorious visual re-creation). Once there, he'll 'perform' for Commodus (tigers & blood & chariots, oh my!). Defeating his competitors, Maximus earns respect from both the crowd AND Commodus. That is, until Commodus realizes just who this prize fighter really is (surpriiiiiiiise). Can Maximus use his acclaimed prize fighter status to avenge the deaths of his loved ones? Can he restore order to the Roman Senate? Or will Commodus use his corrupt ways to defeat Maximus once & for all?
What a story! I have not seen a motion picture with as much sweep, gravitas, & spectacle as this one in a long, long time. The events that transpire in this film are fairly fictional, but they're all based from well-known facts & well-known people. 'Gladiator' is the kind of movie that Hollywood used to make in its glory days; I'm reminded of 1964's The Fall of the Roman Empire. The characters are larger-than-life. John Mathieson's cinematography is staggering. Arthur Max's sets are stupendous. The battle scenes are well-choreographed. Janty Yates' period costumes, Hans Zimmer's sweeping musical score ... all brilliant & memorable. Even the make-up & visual effects impress. The film immerses us in a time & place that we never would have dreamed of in our own heads.
Russell Crowe is awesome as Maximus, the great leader/hero who has to juggle friends, foes, & face one insurmountable obstacle after the next. He dominates the screen with a commanding physical & verbal style. Just as good is Joaquin Phoenix as our spoiled, conflicted, mentally imbalanced villain. He's pitiable, yes, but also a snake; desperately trying to win-over his father, or even his sister, Lucilla (an intoxicating Danish actress, Connie Nielsen). Not only is there a power struggle btwn. Commodus & Maximus for Rome, but they both have it in for Lucilla (yes, Commodus desires an incestuous relationship with his own sister). 'Gladiator' is long, but well-paced sword-&-sandal movie with an intriguing story, fleshed-out characters, and recalls a long lost era of grandiose epics from the 1950s & 60s.
And in a riveting fit of rage & grief, he murders his own father before news of the succession gets out. Though ordered for execution by Commodus, Maximus escapes death (slaying his would-be killers in fine fashion), & races home to protect his vulnerable family. What he finds there (in the countryside) will haunt him forever. Slave traders then capture Maximus & bring him to North Africa. There, along with new pal, Juba (the always dynamic Djimon Hounsou, of Amistad), he is bought - as a slave - by Proximo (Oliver Reed, in his last performance), a charismatic owner & trainer of Gladiator fighters.
Recognizing Maximus' lethal potential, Proximo grooms him for a trip to Rome's Coliseum (in a glorious visual re-creation). Once there, he'll 'perform' for Commodus (tigers & blood & chariots, oh my!). Defeating his competitors, Maximus earns respect from both the crowd AND Commodus. That is, until Commodus realizes just who this prize fighter really is (surpriiiiiiiise). Can Maximus use his acclaimed prize fighter status to avenge the deaths of his loved ones? Can he restore order to the Roman Senate? Or will Commodus use his corrupt ways to defeat Maximus once & for all?
What a story! I have not seen a motion picture with as much sweep, gravitas, & spectacle as this one in a long, long time. The events that transpire in this film are fairly fictional, but they're all based from well-known facts & well-known people. 'Gladiator' is the kind of movie that Hollywood used to make in its glory days; I'm reminded of 1964's The Fall of the Roman Empire. The characters are larger-than-life. John Mathieson's cinematography is staggering. Arthur Max's sets are stupendous. The battle scenes are well-choreographed. Janty Yates' period costumes, Hans Zimmer's sweeping musical score ... all brilliant & memorable. Even the make-up & visual effects impress. The film immerses us in a time & place that we never would have dreamed of in our own heads.
Russell Crowe is awesome as Maximus, the great leader/hero who has to juggle friends, foes, & face one insurmountable obstacle after the next. He dominates the screen with a commanding physical & verbal style. Just as good is Joaquin Phoenix as our spoiled, conflicted, mentally imbalanced villain. He's pitiable, yes, but also a snake; desperately trying to win-over his father, or even his sister, Lucilla (an intoxicating Danish actress, Connie Nielsen). Not only is there a power struggle btwn. Commodus & Maximus for Rome, but they both have it in for Lucilla (yes, Commodus desires an incestuous relationship with his own sister). 'Gladiator' is long, but well-paced sword-&-sandal movie with an intriguing story, fleshed-out characters, and recalls a long lost era of grandiose epics from the 1950s & 60s.