BBM at the movies - Gladiator review

     Gladiator       Bush - 7.5       Mahon - 8.5
     Score - 8           Bates - 8         Dave - 8

   2000
   155 mins
   dir - Ridley Scott
   stars - Russel Crowe    - Maximus Decimus Meridius
             Joaquin Phoenix - Commodus
            Connie Nielsen    - Lucilla
            Oliver Reed         - Proximo
            Richard Harris     - Marcus Aurelius

        The main story running through Gladiator is that after the dying Marcus Aurelius
    says that he wants Maximus to succeed him and not the rightful heir Commodus,
    Commodus decides to kill Marcus Aurelius and betray the Roman General, Maximus
    and kill his family. When Maximus escapes the attempt to murder him he is captured
    again and taken to Rome to become a Gladiator where he hopes to seek his revenge on
    Commodus.
        The main characters are excellently cast and they all deliver good performances.
    Crowe is a pretty big fella and it was important that as well as being able to act the part
    well he had to look the part and be believable as both a Roman General and a Gladiator
    and he was. Joaquin Phoenix is good as the under pressure emperor and Oliver Reed
    gives a great final performance as Proximo.
        It is also a great looking film as we were led to expect with a lot of CGI used to
    create the awesome size of the coloseums and the battle scene in Germania at the start
    and this all led to create the authenticity of the whole movie. All this is documented in
    the extras on the DVD so it would be advisable to watch the DVD if possible.
        Definitely one of the best films of 2000.

        Gladiator Trivia