Gladiator: 'I will have my vengeance....in this life or the next!' (Gladiator (DVD))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Gladiator (DVD)
Date:	09/03/08 (181 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything

Disadvantages: Nothing

Gladiator is possibly one of the most quoted, talked about and reviewed films of this millenium. It is no surprise that here on dooyoo, there are already 332 reviews written on this one film! But I thought I would put my opinions into the pot for you all to read as well.

Gladiator is a 2000 'epic' directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe as the Roman General who finds himself more than just down on his luck. It is the winner of 5 Academy Awards and is seen as the film that paved the way for such films as 300, Troy and Alexander.

The Plot

Crowe plays General Maximus Decimus Meridius, favoured general of Emperor Marcus Aurelius of the Roman Empire. He is the commander of the foreign legions and the figurehead for the Roman Army. All the men love him, the emperor loves him, he can do no wrong. He is betrayed by the emperor's son, Commodus, and finds himself traded as a slave to fend for his life in the gladiatorial arenas of Rome. Hell bent on revenge, this film follows one man's determination and courage to defy authority and fight for his rights and beliefs. The film's suspense builds up throughout and culminates in an enthralling end that makes you want to watch it over and over again.

The Cast and Performances

This is Russell Crowe doing what he does best: playing a moody muscle-bound scrapper that you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley. He has played many violent roles in his career, including a violent cop in L.A. Confidential and a psycho gang member in Romper Stomper. Yet here something different is added: pure emotion. His performance is amazing.

He is more than ably supported by a brilliant cast. Joaquin Phoenix nearly steals the show as the eerie Commodus, and his evil streak sent a shiver of fear running down my spine. Connie Nielsen provides a little romance as well as drama onto the screen, and fine roles from Oliver Reed as the former gladiator turned slave trader and Djimon Hounsou as a fellow gladiator turn a great film into a magnificent one.

My Opinion

After 2 hours 29 minutes of watching this film, I was left hungry for more. Haunting memories of the fight sequences and dream sequences through the 'Fields of Elysium' as well as rousing speeches and quotable characters make this one of the greatest films of all time, let alone of recent years. It has made the historical epic more popular and is reminiscent in its timelessness as films such as 'Spartacus' and 'Ben Hur' in terms of its historical prowess.

I don't really have a bad word to say about the film. Scott's control of the camera aids the film to have a more poignant note all the way through, particularly through the fight scenes. Some have criticised the film for not staying completely true to the formation and discipline that is documented about Roman troops in battle, but this is fiction, and a certain amount of artistic licence has to prevail in order to fit with the story. This is acceptable in my view, and I would not know an error had been made had I not read a review about this.

I rate this film as 5 stars.

The DVD is available to buy from amazon.co.uk for £4.97 new. There is a special 3-disc edition with immense extras and special features that it worth getting. This currently available from amazon.co.uk for £4.98. Seems worth it for the extra penny!!!!!! The 1-disc DVD has as its only special feature an audio commentary with Director Ridley Scott.

Summary: Ridley Scott's brilliant 2000 epic Gladiator