Gladiator (2000) DVD Reviews

Starring	Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris
Director	Ridley Scott
Genres	Action/Adventure

Critics' reviews (6) of Gladiator
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Ridley Scott and the boys from DreamWorks produced the first genuine Roman epic since 1964's The Fall of the Roman Empire with this virtual remake that deals with the transition of power from the sage-like Marcus Aurelius to his monstrous son, Commodus. The fictional hero, General Maximus, is Caesar's adopted heir, whom Commodus turns into an exile after killing his family. Becoming a gladiator, Maximus fights to avenge his loved ones and save the soul of Rome. The film's strengths are a fine script, which doesn't stint on the politics, and excellent performances from Richard Harris as Aurelius and Oliver Reed, in his final film, as a gladiator trainer. Also superb is Joaquin Phoenix as the paranoid, teenage Commodus, while Russell Crowe is utterly convincing as the Conan/Spartacus-like hero. As always with Scott, the visuals are fabulous: the computer-generated ancient Rome is simply staggering, allowing helicopter shots over the city and turning the Colosseum into a living building, a character in its own right and a blood-soaked stage on which the fate of the characters and the empire is enacted. For those old enough to remember the 70mm epics of yesteryear, this is a nostalgic synthesis of all of them. For those who haven't seen those earlier movies, Scott will open their eyes to a “brand-new” old world.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Lavish, spectacular, action-packed epic that re-invigorated a moribund genre, though in contrast to its predecessors it is somewhat glum in its approach; in its attempt at a tragic dimension, it eschews the camp decadence and fun of previous excursions in
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...Literate writing, commanding direction, awe-inspiring production design, eye-popping photography, breathtaking music and superlative acting all contribute to the staggeringly convincing recreation of the era..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- Box Office
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
Most helpful members' reviews (3) of Gladiator
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114 out of 155 people found this review helpful

Russell Crowe acts like a plank

Russell Crowe is so worthless in this movie that he deserves to be shot out of a cannon into a broken glass factory and covered in bees.

Example of dialogue: 'POM POM POM!! Life... POMM POMPOMPOM!!! What is life... POMMM POM POM!! I... POM! something... POMM!! mutter... POMPOMPOMMMM!!!'
- - Cubu Ashiru from Tahiti
  - Posted 24 Sep 2005 16:38
18 out of 21 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

At my signal, unleash hell

An old and tiring Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) has chosen not to bequeath the Roman Empire to his solitary heir Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and has decided to entrust it to his greatest friend and General, Maximus (Russell Crowe). Forced to make a choice by the following morning, Maximus sleeps on the idea while Aurelius informs his son who kills his father as a result.

Maximus awakes hearing the news of the Emperor's demise, conscious of the true intentional successor. Rejecting allegiance to Commodus, Maximus is condemned to death and manages to escape. He travels home to save his family, only to find them already dead. With nothing left to loose, he lives his new life as a gladiator known as The Spaniard, seeking vengeance and retribution.

This is one of the finest epic tales conveyed on film. The action is mind-blowing. Gladiator does not hesitate to demonstrate the brutal realism of the roman Coliseum. Awe-inspiring surroundings bring Rome to life through articulate displays of architecture and the volumes of people quenching their thirst for the mindless violence shown within the Roman arena.

The film is flawless in every aspect and is one of the greatest films of all time.
- - JediSi
  - Posted 17 Sep 2007 18:38
12 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Leaders are born not created

This film sizzles from the start and the fight scenes are second to none. I can count on one hand the amount of times I have been to the cinema in the past few years and three of them were to see Gladiator, in all it's glory on the big screen. There's a lot of blood and gore but to my mind this is essential for it's realism. I am a boss and whenever I feel down and need inspiration I watch this film because throughout the film it shows the qualities and consequences of being a good and bad leader. But for Crouching Tiger I believe this would have got many more oscars.

Not sure why this has a rating of 4 stars, come on guys give it the credit it deserves.
- - LD from Herts
  - Posted 21 Feb 2004 12:01
Most recent members' reviews (2) of Gladiator
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful

gladiator

what can you say brill from beging to end must watch movie, again and again
- - A customer from Bridgend
  - Posted 11 Mar 2008 unknown
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful

Possibly the only film...

...at which it's socially acceptable for a grown man to cry openly at.

I think it's something to do with huge epic tales of heroes, and the combination of violence AND sport.

Gladiator is a pretty masculine film (not saying women can't enjoy it, but there is only one woman with a line throughout).

Saying that, it's a very very good masculine film, with some terrific performances (Joaquin Pheonix is pitch-perfect, Connie Nielsen is remarkably strong as the (single) female lead and of course Russel Crowe isn't bad. Ridley Scott has created an incredibly accurate and striking Rome backdrop (the effects still hold up after 6 years), which does not detract from the drama.

Watch it, if you've got a good few hours - the extended cut adds some interesting character-scenes (I didn't spot everything, though) and the movie remains as beautiful(and as violent) as it always was.
- - millionsofpeanuts from Northumberland
  - Posted 15 May 2006 21:05

114 out of 155 people found this review helpful

Russell Crowe acts like a plank

Russell Crowe is so worthless in this movie that he deserves to be shot out of a cannon into a broken glass factory and covered in bees.

Example of dialogue: 'POM POM POM!! Life... POMM POMPOMPOM!!! What is life... POMMM POM POM!! I... POM! something... POMM!! mutter... POMPOMPOMMMM!!!'
- - Cubu Ashiru from Tahiti
  - Posted 24 Sep 2005 16:38
18 out of 21 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

At my signal, unleash hell

An old and tiring Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) has chosen not to bequeath the Roman Empire to his solitary heir Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and has decided to entrust it to his greatest friend and General, Maximus (Russell Crowe). Forced to make a choice by the following morning, Maximus sleeps on the idea while Aurelius informs his son who kills his father as a result.

Maximus awakes hearing the news of the Emperor's demise, conscious of the true intentional successor. Rejecting allegiance to Commodus, Maximus is condemned to death and manages to escape. He travels home to save his family, only to find them already dead. With nothing left to loose, he lives his new life as a gladiator known as The Spaniard, seeking vengeance and retribution.

This is one of the finest epic tales conveyed on film. The action is mind-blowing. Gladiator does not hesitate to demonstrate the brutal realism of the roman Coliseum. Awe-inspiring surroundings bring Rome to life through articulate displays of architecture and the volumes of people quenching their thirst for the mindless violence shown within the Roman arena.

The film is flawless in every aspect and is one of the greatest films of all time.
- - JediSi
  - Posted 17 Sep 2007 18:38
12 out of 19 people found this review helpful

Leaders are born not created

This film sizzles from the start and the fight scenes are second to none. I can count on one hand the amount of times I have been to the cinema in the past few years and three of them were to see Gladiator, in all it's glory on the big screen. There's a lot of blood and gore but to my mind this is essential for it's realism. I am a boss and whenever I feel down and need inspiration I watch this film because throughout the film it shows the qualities and consequences of being a good and bad leader. But for Crouching Tiger I believe this would have got many more oscars.

Not sure why this has a rating of 4 stars, come on guys give it the credit it deserves.
- - LD from Herts
  - Posted 21 Feb 2004 12:01
9 out of 12 people found this review helpful

What a film!!

A class act by Russell Crowe. On the whole, the story line was good, but I must say, the film was rather 'gory'. The 'Barbaric Practices' during those times were quite alarming. What an entertaining film!
- - ebola from HERTS
  - Posted 20 Sep 2004 13:44
10 out of 17 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

It's a bit crap!

I found this boring, but I'm not really that interested in this sort of thing, and only really watched it coz there was nothing else to do. It didnt have me happy, or sad, or excited or scared, it just felt like mindless violence, and although i've been told there's honour and whatnot in there, I couldn't see it. This is definitely a boys movie, and girls, I would only bother if you actually like Russell Crowe, it doesnt really have anything else going for it..
- - Cazuk1976
  - Posted 11 Jun 2007 22:26
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful

[Highly rated reviewer]

The ultimate film!

Oh God....Gladiator to me is totally flawless and is definately the best movie ever....and I've been waiting for years for another movie to come along and top it but nothing yet I'm afraid...and I've seen alot!

I have to say it has all the ingredients for the perfect movie and in all the right measures. A must-see for all men (especially)....but women can love it too :P
- - Mogoli from London
  - Posted 05 Jun 2007 15:00
6 out of 8 people found this review helpful

Great film

I was very reluctant to watch Gladiator, it’s taken me all this time since it first came out. But it was fantastic I’d recommend it to anyone. Russell Crowe played a fantastic part as did Oliver Reed. I'd watch it over and over.
- - yammagamma from herts
  - Posted 24 Jan 2004 20:44
5 out of 6 people found this review helpful

Lots of fighting but still good

I found that this movie had a bit too much fighting and it didn't have a very strong story line. It was still very well done and I recommend that you rent it out as you will probably enjoy it.

I hope this review helped you make your decision.

Thank you.
- - A customer from Cambridge, England
  - Posted 17 Jul 2005 20:55
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

Must watch its bonus disc if you are watching Gladiator.

The bonus disc is wonderful. It will take you to the making of movie and shows about ancient Rome (and its Games).

I really enjoyed it. Don't miss to watch this if you are watching the actual movie.
- - A customer from Essex, England
  - Posted 07 Dec 2004 15:46
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful

gladiator

absolutely brilliant
- - A customer from Canterbury
  - Posted 18 Feb 2008 19:05

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Critics' reviews (6)
Ridley Scott and the boys from DreamWorks produced the first genuine Roman epic since 1964's The Fall of the Roman Empire with this virtual remake that deals with the transition of power from the sage-like Marcus Aurelius to his monstrous son, Commodus. The fictional hero, General Maximus, is Caesar's adopted heir, whom Commodus turns into an exile after killing his family. Becoming a gladiator, Maximus fights to avenge his loved ones and save the soul of Rome. The film's strengths are a fine script, which doesn't stint on the politics, and excellent performances from Richard Harris as Aurelius and Oliver Reed, in his final film, as a gladiator trainer. Also superb is Joaquin Phoenix as the paranoid, teenage Commodus, while Russell Crowe is utterly convincing as the Conan/Spartacus-like hero. As always with Scott, the visuals are fabulous: the computer-generated ancient Rome is simply staggering, allowing helicopter shots over the city and turning the Colosseum into a living building, a character in its own right and a blood-soaked stage on which the fate of the characters and the empire is enacted. For those old enough to remember the 70mm epics of yesteryear, this is a nostalgic synthesis of all of them. For those who haven't seen those earlier movies, Scott will open their eyes to a “brand-new” old world.
- Radio Times
- Posted 29 Jan 2006
Lavish, spectacular, action-packed epic that re-invigorated a moribund genre, though in contrast to its predecessors it is somewhat glum in its approach; in its attempt at a tragic dimension, it eschews the camp decadence and fun of previous excursions in
- Halliwell's Film Guide
- Posted 02 Mar 2006
"...Literate writing, commanding direction, awe-inspiring production design, eye-popping photography, breathtaking music and superlative acting all contribute to the staggeringly convincing recreation of the era..." -- 4 out of 5 stars
- Box Office
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...A classically designed pop spectacle....Triumphantly combined visual dazzle and old-fashioned storytelling..."
- Rolling Stone
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...[The film's] best moments achieve a real grandeur....[Crowe] supplies all the conviction GLADIATOR needs."
- Premiere
- Posted 11 Mar 2005
"...A gloriously entertaining thrill-packer of truly epic proportions..." -- 5 out of 5 stars
- Total Film
- Posted 11 Mar 2005

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  Ridley Scott (BLADE RUNNER, ALIEN) transports Hollywood to second-century Rome in this rousing historical epic that proudly harkens back to such films as BEN-HUR and SPARTACUS. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a Roman general who leads the troops in conquering Germania for the empire. When an aging ...