STARS: *** �
DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott
PRINCIPLE CAST:
Russell Crowe
Jouaqin Phoenix
Connie Nielsen
Oliver Reed
Richard Harris
TAGLINE: A hero will rise
The man who became a detective! The detective who became an insider! The insider who
became a gladiator! Russell Crowe is truly a chameleon in the film industry.
He has put on every face and accomplished masterfully practically every type of role.
Here, he has donned a gladiator uniform for the best film I have seen, so far, this
year.
Ridley Scott directed this Roman epic, and with great accomplishment. As I have
been informed, the script was pretty much written as the film went along, and Scott
did a remarkable job regardless. The film opens on one of the greatest battle
scenes ever captured on film and progresses on the same level for the remaining
2 � hours. Russell Crowe is Maximus, a soldier from Spain, who, after his great
victory, is tangled in a web of betrayal, murder, and, of course, politics. His family,
burned alive by orders of the wicked Commodus, portrayed intensely by Joaquin Phoenix,
the only son of the late Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), Maximus is enslaved and
forced to become a gladiator.
With its fast-paced fight scenes, which are some of the greatest I have ever had
the pleasure of witnessing, this film never feels overlong. Highlighting these
sequences, is the wonderful story line. I'll admit, with the pathetic year it has been
with movies, I would have been satisfied if this movie had the slightest hint of a
plot. Thankfully, Gladiator has one a great story behind it. At times, this film is
very spiritual, not religious, but very ethereal nonetheless. Though this is a great
film, however, there are a few points that draw back from me considering classic, such
as an unnecessary romantic sub-plot between Maximus and Commodus's sister, Lucilla.
Otherwise, this is a wonderful, entertaining film and highly recommended.
Fine summer fun!
