Gladiator [M]

Caesar Marcus Aurelius has ruled the Roman Empire for many years and is now seeing it become corrupt and the complete opposite of his vision. In the hopes to restore Rome to its former glory, he chooses Maximus, general of the Roman army to succeed him rather than his own morally corrupt son, Commodus. Bitterly jealous, Commodus exiles Maximus after the Emperor’s death and has the general’s wife and son murdered. In exile, Maximus trains as a gladiator and soon returns to Rome to overthrow Commodus and make Caesar Marcus Aurelius’s dream a reality. 

Beyond the gore and bloodshed that was so entertaining in Rome, Ridley Scott’s Gladiator is a really moving and majestic film filled with defiance, violence, morals, corruption, betrayal, politics, action, and bravery. It was a really amazing film. 

Caesar Marcus Aurelius has ruled the Roman Empire for many years and is now seeing it become corrupt and the complete opposite of his vision. In the hopes to restore Rome to its former glory, he chooses Maxmius, general of the Roman army to succeed him rather than his morally corrupt son Commodus. Bitterly jealous, Commodus exiles Maximus after the emperor’s death and has the general’s wife and son murdered. In exile Maximus, sold as a slave, trains as a gladiator and soon returns to Rome to overthrow Commodus and make Caesar Marcus Aurelius’s dream a reality. 

What really captured my attention in this movie was the marriage of aerial camera shots and ethereal music that brought a moving and majestic feeling to the film and beautifully played against the violence and bloodshed that took place on the fields of battle and the gladiator arena. It really did feel like a long deep breath of fresh air after you’ve been running for who knows how long. 

Russell Crowe stars as Maximus and well done to him. Not quite so dissimilar to Sweeney Todd, the character of Maximus is a somewhat distant and unsatisfied person, having been away from his family for so long. Crowe the played the part beautifully and it was his minimal facial expressions that made his actions all the more powerful and meaningful. He did really well! 

Joaquin Phoenix plays Commodus and (although Russell did a very good job), I have to say that Joaquin was the star. He delivered a performance that was eager, jealous, longing, and really menacing towards the end. I loved him from start to finish. 

Starring Connie Neilson, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Honsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Thomas Arana, David Hemmmings, Ralf Moeller, Spencer Treat Clark, Tommy Flanagan, and Richard Harris, Gladiator was a wonderful look at ancient history that was filled with betrayal, action, romance, defiance, politics, and bravery. I thoroughly enjoyed it! 

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