Alright... This is pure jealosy right now. This film. GLADIATOR is a film that... first of all... We have to wait till NEXT FRIGGIN SUMMER for... But... DAMMIT! Argh.
Ok ok ok... I'm in control again. You see. This movie will be glorious. It's all right there in the script. But it is an extremely gory violent film. IF... Dreamworks really wants to do something noble and giant here. They'd do something that Warner Brothers did back in 1981 when EXCALIBUR came out. EXCALIBUR was released in theaters as PG and R at the same time. If this film and this cut were to get an NC-17.... Release both versions. DO IT! Release a PG-13 and NC-17 version of the film. It'd be the coolest ballsiest move around. However, if they cut this film to death... sigh... I'll just cry. I really will. Feel the energy and passion that Dr Jizzum spurts down below. Notice how enthused he is. That could be all of us. If only we get to see the complete gory film.
WOW! What a RUSH!!! I just got back from I think one of the first screenings for Ridley Scotts Dreamworks Extravaganza "GLADIATOR" and let me tell you boys and girls out there! It has SUMMER 2000 Box Office Smash written all over it! I have to admit, I have heard of this production before but you see I am not a big fan of the Big sword-and-sandal epics but after seeing this I feel like running out to the video store and doing some catching up! Dreamworks, I hear sank allot of dough into this return to the epic flick and let me tell you, It sure paid off!!! This is not a big budget disaster with lots of water in it! This is a Balls to the Walls gladiator flick that will get your blood pumping and your palms sweating!
Before I get into the whole aspect of the movie, I just want to say I hope that the marketing department handles the trailer with smart care and deliver the mystery and impact of the flick and not give away the whole entire story for the film is filled with intrigue and betrayal. I am just sick of trailers giving away the whole entire film (Double Jeopardy anyone...no thanks...)
Ridley Scott returns in full epic glory from his bombs (GI JANE, 1492:CONQUEST OF PARADISE and WHITE SQUALL)
From the opening scene to the ending, the movie is filled with Jaw-Dropping visuals, diffrent film formats, Gorgeous Color, and BLOOD AND GORE!!! I really hope they don't cut anything out of this film, except for maybe trim the pace because the blood and gore is not overdone but just perfect! The lucky audience members applauded after several gory battle scenes and I can tell they were really into it!!! This is not your typical mind-numbing sword flick but because of the brutal force of the battles, make sure you don't bring a wimpy date who gets sick at the sight of a wound or blood, because let me tell you, GLADIATOR rocks in that department!
There is something to be said about RIdley Scott returning to delivering this extreme voilent epic in these days and times. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS WE LOVE THE BLOOD AND GUTS!!!! WE are spectators in the arena watching like sick twisted souls wating to see the arm flying off, waiting to see the jugular fountain of ruby red blood, the decapitations....at first the battles were filmed in that fast, then slow jerky motion that I was getting a little dizzy at but once the gladiators were in the arena, it was no holds barred battles that I couldn't take my eyes off of! The visual impact matched what I felt was the best sound effects to date. Every swish of the blade and the slicing and dicing sounded totally 3-D and just to think this was a work print! The music was a temp, but sweeping along with the film.
THE STORY: Intriguing and Compelling, Ridley Scott is a masterful story teller, in the beginning I was like " Oh No, not another Braveheart wannabe, but then after a interesting plot twist, I was HOOKED!!!
I am not sure how historical correct the movie was but I really did not care, I always ditched History class in school because my teacher was a chain-smoking bitch, but never the less I was never confused and it never felt like you were watching a boring Mini-Series with Yasmine Bleeth.
The Acting:
PERFECTION! WOW! By the time this movie is released, Hopefully Russell Crowe will be a household name ( THE INSIDER????) He brings a conviction to the role of the invincible Maximus that is totally belivable! YOU cannot wait for him to rip off his nemesis head. He is by all means not the gigantic buff Gladiator everyone would imagine but he is perfect! GREAT ACTING! PERFECT CASTING!
Joaquin Phoenix plays the bitter Emperor Commodus with that wicked brattiness that I was completely surprised he pulled it off. At times he was such a cold hearted weasel, He was a bit over the top at times but by the end, He fully redeems himself.
The late Oliver Reed was brilliant in the role of Proximo, and Connie Nielsen basically played the Sophie Marceau role as Lucilla, sister of Commodus, she was good but who is she? My other favoirte charecter was JUBA played with a brutal fierceness by Djimon Hounsou who as you may have remembered in AMISTAD. His Gladiator rocked, he was a true warrior and someone who balanced off of Russell Crowe perfectly.
What more can I say, except Summer 2000 came early and this movie will make be a big hit, you'll see. It is all about BLOOD AND GUTS returning and when done right, Gladiator is unforgettable! I asked my buddy who came with me to the screening..."Do you like watching Gladiator movies?" and he laughed and told me that was a line from a movie...can you only guess which one????
DR. JIZZUM out of here
