Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: David Franzoni
Stars: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Djimon Hounsou
Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor Russell Crowe, Gladiator is a movie that was and always will be a beautiful film. It is the story of Maximus, the general who became a slave and a gladiator that defied the empire ruled under Emperor Commodus, a sociopath that ordered his wife and child killed.
Writers: David Franzoni
Stars: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Djimon Hounsou
Winner of five Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor Russell Crowe, Gladiator is a movie that was and always will be a beautiful film. It is the story of Maximus, the general who became a slave and a gladiator that defied the empire ruled under Emperor Commodus, a sociopath that ordered his wife and child killed.
Ridley Scott masterfully
directed the movie by drawing a fine line between making the fictional story
mesh well with historical accuracy. There
were many historical personalities incorporated into this story such
as the Brothers Gracchi and Marcus Aurelius that were a delight to see enacted.
Joaquin Phoenix was nothing short of
brilliant as Emperor Commodus. The pained expression he expressed whenever he
spoke of his father showed just what kind of loveless childhood he grew up in.
Somehow, as evil as he was, I couldn’t help but pity the man for Maximus always
overshadowed him. Phoenix brought
depth to the character and the emotions he showed felt so real.
The
battle scenes in the Colosseum were reminiscent of Ben-Hur, Best Picture 1959. Incorporating chariots, tigers and a
beautiful backdrop of the crowd of 50,000 plus Roman citizens, the tension and
authenticity of the fights set this film apart from most. Perhaps my favorite
scene of the movie would have to be when Maximus reunites with his wife and child in
the end with incredibly beautiful music signifying that he’s home. The computer animated Rome and
cinematography of the many locations the Roman Empire conquered was
outstanding, much like Lawrence of Arabia
but toned down.
Gladiator will endure
through the ages as one of the best movies of all time for many valid reasons.
This movie connected with me, however it did not have the same emotional impact
as Braveheart, its closest contender.
Maximus is a larger than life hero that Crowe
played beautifully. I finished the movie feeling happy – happy because I
had just seen one of the finest movies that have come from the 21st
century. This film rightfully deserved to be the first movie to win Best
Picture in the new Millennium.
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