Hey folks, Harry here and I've got Light House Shines' look at GLADIATOR... Now here is a bit of reference for his review. While he seems to have loved the film, he has never been able to sit all the way through SPARTACUS. A statement that I can't even imagine as that film is just brilliant. I can't believe that I have to wait till sometime in May to see this film.... ARGH! It sounds so good. There are a couple of spoilers in this review, so ya might want to skip it if you're sensitive about that sort of thing... Here ya go...
GLADIATOR REVIEWDo you like Gladiator movies? A subtly perverse line from the cult classic Airplane, that I can actually say yes to after seeing Ridley Scott's latest cinematic masterpiece Gladiator.As I really have never been a fan of this particular genre in the past since I still cannot even sit through the entire Spartacus, though two of my brothers can spontaneously quote it line for line with disturbing accuracy. So they must be getting something out of it that I don't, or at least didn't before I saw this breathtaking film. Which deftly tells the age old tale of a common man rising above his ranks to challenge a corrupt and unfeeling system in the name of justice and honor. The essential subplot of Gladiator, as General Maximus (Russell Crowe) literally fights tooth and nail to win back the former grace and beauty that was Rome before the fall. The fall in this case referring to the death of a fictional Caesar, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Who actually wished to rule Rome as it was meant to be ruled, with truth, honor and compassion. But said Caesar was thwarted at almost every turn by corrupt members of the Roman senate and ultimately betrayed/murdered by his own son Commodus. Nicely played by Joaquin Phoenix, though I will always miss his brother's acting and the many films he should have been in. Though in this one case I do honestly feel that Joaquin would have been the better choice to play a son so power obsessed that he would strangle his own father rather than allow someone else come to power in his place. As Caesar's last wish was that the noble General Maximus rule Rome in his name until such a time as a more permanent solution could be reached. For Caesar knew full well that his son could not be trusted to have Rome's best wishes at heart, nor could his daughter Lucilla rule in his steed. For while she was definitely strong minded and willful, she was far too easily swayed by the evil machinations of her ever plotting sibling. Who upon becoming the new Emperor of Rome, after murdering his own father in cold blood, set out to destroy the one man who knew the truth about his sudden ascension to the throne. The brave and noble General Maximus.
Thus the reason behind how General Maximus became the Gladiatorial champion referred to only as The Spaniard. A fallen hero forced to fight in the Gladiatorial games for the simple amusement of others, subject to death at any time from the many enemies both seen and unseen around him. Especially after Emperor Commodus learns that General Maximus is indeed alive after a botched attempt was made on his life, which is what lead him to be found near death and sold into slavery by a wandering band of slave merchants in the first place. For after the death of his beloved Caeser General Maximus wanted no more of Rome or his (former) life filled with war, since Maximus was originally a farmer by nature and deed. Although you would never know it from the way that he fought in the Gladiatorial games, night after night, week after week. Killing any and all who were sent against him, prevailing against even the toughest of odds. Which reminds me, this film has some of the bloodiest yet most authentic scenes of armed and unarmed combat that I have ever seen in any movie. As well as some of the most violent images to ever assault the eye, as there were literally dozens of scenes with multiple decapitations and/or dismemberments. Though all of them added to the overall realism and feel of the film, as the violence shown is actually necessary to greater illustrate the brutality and harshness that existed in the Rome of that era and is in no way excessive or exploitive.
Though for me some of the best scenes in the film didn't involve bloody Gladiatorial combat or scenes of mass carnage. Since I equally enjoyed watching the deceptively evil Joaquin Phoenix doing his best to remain in control of Rome in the face of his diminishing popularity. Desperate to smite all those who oppose him in a last ditch gambit to remain in power, regardless of what it might cost him or those around him. As was evident by his repeated abuse of his sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) who was terrified that if she ever refused his demands of loyalty and support he would kill her, or worse kill her young son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark). Showing just how vile and reprehensible a man Commodus had become, although his incestuous relationship with his sister pretty much established that early on ( When in Rome I guess). Still it was intriguing to witness the leader of Rome slowly fall from grace and power simply because a warrior in the Gladiatorial games was more popular to the masses, who at the time were in essence Rome itself. Specifically since this particular corrupt leader was incapable of accepting defeat with any sense of dignity and would rather sacrifice all of Rome than lose it for a mere instant, especially to such a man as Maximus. The loyal and loving son his father always wished he had instead of the one he unfortunately got.
Now as far as the ending of this film goes, I wasn't too found of it. As I thought it could have ended a little sooner than it actually did, as the very last scene felt like an afterthought to me. Nor did it manage to make me feel anything extra or special for the film in general. As the bulk of film successfully endeavors to do, as Gladiator is a very emotionally charged and visually powerful film. Filled not only with scenes of gruesome bloody mayhem, but with lush and vivid images that manage to capture almost perfectly the subtle grace and splendor that was and always will be greater Europe. Which reminds me, I particularly liked the way in which a lot of the scenes were shot. By slowing down or speeding up the action and deliberately blending images or scenes together. Giving parts of the film an almost surreal or dreamlike quality, especially during some of the more intense battle scenes and rare moments where General Maximus was fondly remembering his homeland. Which when combined more than make up for any of the minor flaws I found within the film, that truthfully have more to do with me on a personal level. Since as I mentioned earlier I have never really been a fan of the whole Gladiator genre and normally would not choose to see a film like this. Although in this one case I would surely be missing out on a truly spectacular and awe inspiring film experience.
As always, if you have any questions or comments about anything I have just said or written about. Please feel to email me at lighthouseshines@hotmail.com and someone will get back to you, thanks!
Sincerely,
Light House Shines
