Hey folks, Harry here. First off, while the film review doesn't spoil the ending of the film, it does give away quite a bit. Personally, I would like to personally go out on a severed limb and tell you that if you are excited about this film... merely stay excited. Don't read this review. The only sorts of problems he had with the film was that it needed to be a tad shorter and needed title cards during the major scene changes to keep it straight in his head where the folks in the film were. Other than that though... small nitpicks, he has no real complaints beyond that. This sounds like an absolute jewel. But like I said... there is ALOT described here. Beware. Read only if.... and I really mean this... only if you know NOTHING can spoil a film for you. (note: if knowing when some characters die is an issue with you... STAY AWAY!) Here we go...
Hey Harry,
Benthic Explorer here -- long time reader, first time writer. Last night in San Diego I was lucky enough to get some passes to a screening of Ridley Scott's Gladiator. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I heard that this movie is coming out next summer. Being how it is only October, I was expecting a really shoddy cut of the film. Man, was I wrong. The movie rocked. This movie is all cock and balls, a pure guy movie. Imagine if the love and romance scenes in Braveheart got trimmed down to less than 10 minutes, then you'll have an idea of what to expect of Gladiator. Oh yeah, it looked like they have very little work to do to get this movie ready for release. Before, I get to describing the movie, let me just say that in most cases (except when they were in Rome, of course) I wasn't completely sure where the characters were in the world.
The movie opens on a ravaged forest which is going to be the staging ground for a major battle. The Roman army is all lined up and ready to go.
Meanwhile, the general, Maximus played by Russel Crowe is having visions of what awaits him at home. Then the Germanian barbarians come out of the tree line and as Maximus ordered had ordered his army, the Romans "unleash hell." The Romans unloaded fireballs and spears and flaming arrows on the barbarians. The shot of hundreds of flaming arrows streaming across the sky took my breath away.
After the victory, a dying Emperor Caesar tells Maximus that he wants him to succeed him as Emperor. Maximus reluctantly agrees but Caesar's decision doesn't sit well with his son, Commodus, played by Joaquin Phoenix. Commodus kills his father before he can announce Maximus' succession and condemns Maximus to die. Maximus escapes his executors and then rushes home to save his wife and son only to find them slaughtered by Commodus' soldiers. Heartbroken, Maximus just lays down and feels ready die, when he is captured by slave traders.
This is where I got a little confused, not by the story but just by who was who. Maximus, along with a bunch of other slaves, are sold to another guy who will use them in gladiator fights. I believe the new owner was Proximo (or Marcus Aurelius). Much to the New Owner's surprise, not only does Maximus survive the gladiator fights, he destroys them. As do the other gladiators, thanks to Maximus' leadership. Man, Russel Crowe is so awesome. So the New Owner brings his Gladiators to Rome to battle in the coliseum. Maximus sees this as a perfect opportunity to get revenge on Commodus by killing him.
Just as expected, Maximus ravages the Roman Gladiator fights and becomes very popular with the Romans. After Commodus learns that the gladiator is Maximus (he had been disguising his identity), this pisses him off big time.
Commodus would love to kill Maximus outright, but Commodus is already so unpopular with the people, he doesn't wish to lose any more favor. That is Commodus' flaw -- he wishes so badly to be loved by someone, everyone, anyone, he would hate or destroy anybody who loves someone else over him. Therefore he cares very little for the Romans, and he hates Maximus, who was loved by Caesar. Not to mention that Maximus has won over Commodus' nephew and sister, who Commodus is very in love with (yes, in love).
That's pretty much the movie, I don't want to say how it ends, though. I do have to say, I thought the climax, although satisfying, was somewhat low-key considering the action that occurred throughout the whole film. I loved the movie and can't wait to see it again. The story was strong as well as all the performances.
As for Scott's direction, I love his camera work for the most part except during the action scenes. It is too shaky and he cuts too fast, so it is sometimes hard to keep track of what is going on. But that didn't rob everything from the action which was incredible. I also felt they could have used some title cards here and there just so I knew where they were. One last gripe, the movie was a little too long and dragged a bit towards the end. The film makers should trim it somewhat but not actually cut any scenes. If that makes any sense. Oh yeah, I was a little disappointed at the lack of severed limbs, despite the very satisfying amounts of bloodshed.
So for anyone who loved Braveheart, but hated those mushy-kissy scenes, Gladiator's your movie. Later...
