Im Glad i watched this epic (Gladiator (DVD))

Member Name: lyster101

Product:	Gladiator (DVD)
Date:	17/07/01 (39 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: colourful, interesting, exciting

Disadvantages: some dialogue is hard to understand, there are some glaring anacronisms

This film is quite easily an epic. Its as easy as that. From the opening scene in Germania when the Romans are about to reinforce their 'monopoly' on Europe three millenia ago by killing off the last of the rebels. An honourable general, Maximus played by Russel Crow is asked to become the next Emporer. The Emporers son is not happy and ordered Maximus to be killed after his has suffocated his own father, the Emporer, and also mercilessly kills Maximus' wife and young son. Maximus becomes a slave and faces the Emporer in the biggest stadium in the world - The colosseum. Add to this the romance linking Maximus with the Emporers sister and there is a plot which is both interesting and gripping.

The film has many odd quirks which may or may not add to your enjoyment. Why on earth does Maximus feel the need to smell the earth under his feet when in a tense or memorably situation? Why does the Emporer become so 'friendly' with his sister? Which parts of Oliver Reed's wonderful character are played by him and what are computerised?

There are however several anacronisms ranging from the fireballs and the longbows in the opening scene to the animals in the Colosseum. This is only what we have grown to expect from Hollywood.

This film is one which you must see at least once, the action scenes are brilliant, the set imaginative and the dialogue although hard to understand at some points is thoughtful.

Summary: