Intense action epic (Gladiator (DVD))

Member Name: shaneo632

Product:	Gladiator (DVD)
Date:	16/09/09 (9 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Everything

Disadvantages: Nothing

note: also appears in part on Flixster and The Student Room

The film revolves around Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a noble soldier who believes that a man, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) is responsible for the death of the Emperor so that he himself can take the throne. When asked to be loyal to Commodus, Maximus refuses, and Commodus, greatly offended at this gestures, orders that Maximus be executed and his family also murdered. Maximus escapes but returns home to find his wife and young son murdered. He swears revenge and plans to kill Commodus - of course, this is going to be difficult, considering that he's the Emperor and therefore has a fleet of loyal guards.

Sword-and-sandal epics are a dime a dozen, but this is one that really stands above the rest. It features a marrying of direction, acting and writing that elevates it beyond the often cheesy cliches of the genre. This is a film that's got great action but also has a wealth of emotional resonance thanks to the emotional bond between Maximus and his family, and the spiritual approach taken to the revenge plot - he wants revenge, but he also wants to be reunited with his family, making this a more complex revenge story than simple heroic bloodshed. The film also allowed the Gladiatorial epic to be revived, with numerous films such as 300 being released following the success of this film.

Whilst Gladiator gets off to a slow start due to the preambles, once it gets into the meat of the matter, this is an intense and emotionally charged film about courage and heroism. Crowe is brilliant as the protagonist, and Phoenix likewise as the antagonist. The political aspect to the film was highly intruiging, and as always with Ridley Scott, the action was directed as masterfully as the lush cinematography.

Summary: Emotionally resonant and action packed