Gladiator: The Best Film Ever? (Gladiator (DVD))

Member Name: writer

Product:	Gladiator (DVD)
Date:	05/07/00 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: It is pure genious.

Disadvantages: Some of it looks fake.

DreamWorks' new film, Gladiator, has been hailed as the greatest film ever. Funny, as the same was applied to thier other recent success, American Beauty. Although I have not seen American Beauty, I have seen Gladiator. And yes, it is good. It's very good. But it's not brilliant - not flawless.
If you have yet to see it, don't read this next paragrph - it reveals the story. The basic story line is that a world famous Roman general refuses to join the new Emporer Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), as Maximus (Russell Crowe) suspects him of murdering the old Emperor. With that he is sentanced to death, but evades it and becomes a gladiator. In a time dedicated to the arts, gladiator fights become a daily event. Maximus rises to the challenge, defeating loads of other gladiators, until he confronts the King. There is more, which makes the story even better, but that is the basics. The story is fantastic, slightly similar to Spartacus, and is one of its strong points.
The acting is perfect, no "Neighbour" style crying or laughing, even by the young son of Connie Neilson, sister to the Emperor.
The fight scenes are exciting, and despite what you may think about the machinery and technology level inside the Colosseum, I can tell you that it all happened and was real. A clever aspect of the film is that for every fall in a fight, the camera slightly shakes and possibley the film is slowed. This only makes it more large, for use of a better word. The directing is generally very well done by Ridley Scott. Another very clever aspect, is that they managed to film the entire Roman army with fifty men at the begginning of the film. Once you see the film, you will find that fact amazing!
Effects and computer images work well, and really do make the film capture you completely. Indeed, one person I know who went to the film got so carried away with the film that during a fight scene, he shouted out: &quo
t;Kill him!" in the cinema! But, this is where the major flaw is in the film. Although they have recreated Rome spectactically, you can notice in early scenes of Rome the fact that it is done on a computer. In particular the first shot of Rome and night: I could not help but be dismayed. They do though convey Rome well, and to an extent you will believe that it still exists. All I am trying to say is that it isn't quite a believable as the boat in Titanic.
The final flaw is that when it is night, it does not seem to be night inside the Colosseum. Still, do not be put off, and see this film which I rate as the no. 3 best film ever, only behind Lock, Stock, 2 Smoking Barrels and The Third Man.

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