Hard hitting action (Gladiator (DVD))

Name: stemacca

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Product:	Gladiator (DVD)
Date:	07/11/07 (108 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great action, great cast

Disadvantages: Way to long, 2 and half hours.

Historical films have never really been my cup of tea to be honest, but this film soon sorted that out, due to its excellent cast, and its action thrilled inspired director Ridley Scott.

This film is directed by Ridley Scott, after a few failings making big films, has returned to form with this stunning two and a half-hour very realistic film based in roman times. The film also has a cast that contains a mixture of rising stars and very experienced pro’s, including a last performance from Oliver Reed.
The film starts with General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) who leads his troops into battle in Germania against the final remaining barbarian resistance, the battle scenes themselves are very realistic almost like they were actually there.
The first ten minutes of this film, place you in the middle of the brutal battle. Also the opening scene tells us what kind of a person Maximus is. A brave man, revered by his troops and longing to return home to his beloved wife and child.

After the battle the Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), speaks out that he wishes Maximus, who he considers to be a son, to be his successor ahead of Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) who is his real son. Commodus murders his father and orders Maximus to be killed. Maximus escapes the men that are sent to kill him and escapes only to find, on returning to his home, that his wife and child have been murdered.
Maximus is caught in the end and is eventually sold to Proximo (Oliver Reed), an ex-gladiator who has turned trainer. A Gladiator himself, Maximus soon earns renown and, when the games are re-opened in ancient Rome, is taken to the Colosseum to perform. In the first battle, were Maximus and other Gladiators are supposed to be slaughtered, he outwits his opponents and is drawn to the attention of the new emperor, Commodus. Both Maximus and Commodus meet in the arena, with Commodus requesting that Maximus reveals his identity to him, after a small confrontation Maximus removes his mask.
“My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius: commander of the armies of the North, general of the Felix legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.” This then sets the tone for the rest of the film, as Maximus is set on revenge and Commodus on trying a way to find a way to kill Maximus. He must do this without angrying the crowd of the Colosseum; who are the true power in Rome. Added to the fray is Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), sister of Commodus and in the past was romantically engaged with Maximus.
The film continues with excellent action sequences and a decent plot to follow, lots off fighting, hard hitting action and teamwork, all in the end leads to Maximus to exact his revenge on Commodus.

All in all a great film, I went to see it at the cinema when it first came out, and also bought the DVD. I found it to be a realistic film to watch, the acting was excellent, with great costumes and realistic looking locations which makes you think there actually in Rome at that period. It has a decent plot to follow but is quite long at 2 and half hours, lucky there’s a pause button to go make a cup of tea and toast half way through.

Summary: exellent historical film.