GLADIATOR (2000) - Movie Review

Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Djimon Hounsou, Derek Jacobi
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Writer: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson
Runtime: 155 min
Rated: Rated R for intense, graphic combat
Buy This Movie: Blu-ray (Amazon), DVD (Amazon), Amazon Prime Video, 4K Ultra HD, Apple TV

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Synopsis:

Winner of Best Picture and Best Actor Academy Awards, director Ridley Scott's stirring spectacle stars Russell Crowe as heroic Roman general Maximus. Chosen to succeed ailing emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), Maximus is marked for death by the scheming imperial son (Joaquin Phoenix). After being sold into slavery, Maximus emerges as the empire's greatest gladiator and seeks vengeance in a showdown at the Colosseum.

Review:

Ridley Scott's "Gladiator" was a box-office breakthrough for a genre that was thought long dead, grossing $465 million worldwide. Since then it has become a sort of blueprint for historical epics, although very few, if any, have really matched the level of craft and mass appeal of this simple, but highly effective crowd-pleasing tale of a general-turned-slave-turned-gladiator-turned-revolutionary.

Of course, many forget that Mel Gibson's "Braveheart" paved the way for "Gladiator", however Scott's epic was shinier and more popcorn-friendly, which made it more profitable business-wise. The movie boasts amazingly crafted action set pieces wrapped around a revenge story peppered with ancient Rome politics. No doubt the big Colosseum fights were the main selling point and they don't disappoint.

Historians beware, this movie fiddles with history in ways that will keep you up at night. The writers took bits and pieces of true historical facts and used them to concoct an alternate history, not too dissimilar from Quentin Tarantino's approach to "Inglourious Basterds", but definitely less wacky. This movie requires a total suspension of disbelief and historical knowledge. Once that's out of the way, prepare to be amazed.

From a technical perspective, this movie is incredible, and still stands up today. The cinematography is breathtaking, with every frame looking like a painting, the sets and costumes pure eye-candy, the sound design immersive and dynamic, the visual effects more subtle and convincing than today's overly-expensive and cartoonish CGI, and the fights expertly choreographed for maximum enjoyment.

The score by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard is gorgeous and exhilarating with a modern edge that heightens both the quiet emotional scenes, and the frantic action set pieces. If you listen closely during the battle scenes, you can hear the structure of what would become the "Pirates of the Caribbean" score two years later.

Fans of old-school cinema will revel in the wonderful performances of Richard Harris, Oliver Reed and Derek Jacobi, while Russell Crowe's commanding presence reminds me of a young Christopher Plummer. This is the performance that made Crowe a star and earned him an Academy Award, and it truly is a role for the ages. The "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius" scene alone is pure cinema history. And let's not forget Joaquin Phoenix's vile, pervy and sadistic turn as Commodus, a perfectly despicable villain for our wholesome hero.

The plot is uncomplicated and straightforward, despite it involving politics, the script is focused and well-balanced, and the dialogue is very quotable. The extended cut does feature some more political backstory, but it's easy to see why it was cut from the theatrical version as it slowed the movie down considerably. Same goes for a couple of deleted scenes showing more of Phoenix's Commodus acting crazy and evil, which are fun, but redundant.

"Gladiator" is not a complex thought-provoking historical epic, and it wasn't intended as such. It's electrifying blockbuster entertainment delivered with operatic gusto by a filmmaker at the top of his game. "Gladiator" has rightfully earned its place among the greats.

SCORE: 10/10