Gladiator is an excellent and well-made film that is Hollywood entertainment at its best and, along with Battlefield Earth, is a great way to start the year 2000 summer movie season!

The movie is quite daring in its own way: it is a spectacle set in Ancient Rome in 180 AD, a time when humans (being the inane creatures they are) more openly compensated for their inadequacies by watching other humans kill each other brutally. A time when tyrant emperors ruled and few would dare challenge them. The film is about one such person, Maximus (Russell Crowe), a General from Spain who fought and bled for Rome with much passion but is now a slave as a reward for his patriotism. This is a film that has been done several times and belongs to a kind, in my mind, that is fairly easy to do successfully. Everyone loves to watch the downtrodden good guy kick the smug and powerful bad guy's arse against all odds.

The story begins with an opening scene that reminded me of the one in Saving Private Ryan. As I mentioned before, I am desensitised to watching fictional violence (yet completely sensitive to any real-world account) and was bored with the initial scene in Saving Private Ryan. While I experienced the same boredom here to a degree, the reason Gladiator succeeds where the other movie fails is that it provides an ulterior motivation for the battle. In the first ten minutes, we see how Maximus holds himself, how the ruling Caesar, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), views him, and how it illustrates the cowardice of Caesar's son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). (Not to mention some amazingly violent and destructive scenes that puts the opening scene in Saving Private Ryan to shame, and all director Ridley Scott has at his disposal is "primitive" weaponry.) The Emperor is so pleased that he decides to crown Maximus the next Caesar. Commodus does not take this news kindly and orchestrates events such that in a short order, Maximus' wife and son are killed brutally and Maximus himself is broken and shackled as a slave. He is bought by Proximo (the late Oliver Reed who died about a year ago) and trained to fight as a gladiator.

Slowly, Maximus uses his warring skills to win the popularity of those who come to cheer for his death, until he gains an appearance in the Colosseum before Commodus who has made himself the new Caesar. Instead of having Maximus killed off right away, Commodus slowly lets him woo the crowd of Rome as well, until the final battle between them. In the end, Maximus triumphs against unsurmountable odds, aided in part by Commodus' sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the Roman Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi).

The set design and the cinematography are extravagant. The spectacles being staged, from the initial opening sequence to the gladiator fights, are grandiose. Scott, who gave us Alien and Blade Runner, has created a Rome that is to be marvelled at. The story itself is okay, but I had a hard time with most of the characters who simply seemed to be tacked on at the last minute to fill up an expansive set. There's nothing wrong with this (in fact, I almost prefer it given the black-and-white story line), but one should keep in mind that in Gladiator, the spectacle is more important the characters (which is ironic given how Maximus rises to fame).

The acting is generally very good, with Crowe doing an excellent job. A while ago, in my review Go, I was pondering the question of who would take over for the great action actors like Harrison Ford and Sean Connery. Crowe is definitely a strong contender. Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, and Richard Harris present solid performances. I was terribly unimpressed with Joaquin Phoenix's performance as a whiny Emperor.

Truth be told, Gladiator is not my kind of a film, the primary reason being that I didn't derive very much (pseudo) intellectual value from it (and I generally do in the dumbest of movies). I still recommend checking it out on the big screen, for the dazzling epic that it is.

With am mammoth $100 million budget and a four-month shoot in four countries, director Ridley Scott aimed, with "Gladiator", to revive the genre of the 'ancient epic'; a genre which had not proved to be much of a crowd-puller since the international vogue in the 1960s for 'swords and sandals' spectaculars such as "Spartacus" and "The Fall and the Rise of the Roman Empire". Today , the thousands of extras mandatory in such epic undertakings may be multiplied thanks to CGI, and "Gladiator" is one of the prime examples of the new cinematic fashion for 'pixellated antiquity'. As well as using CGI to recreate the Colosseum in Rome-where the authentically bone-crunching, blood-soaked gladiatorial combat is staged as recreations of famous battles - there was another, unexpected use found for Scott's sjpecial effects team:the death, during filming, of Oliver Reed (playing the gladiiator trainer, Proximo) called for a stealthy dose of digital reanimation.

"Gladiator" definitely is a classic film as it combines a simple, but moving, story with beautiful scenery, filming, direction and score – it is truly a "complete" movie.

I am mostly compelled with the beautiful script which in a way reminds me of poetry, though it is still everyday language. I love the acting portrayed by the late Oliver Reed and also Richard Harris. Russell Crowe, Djimon Housou and Joaquin Phoenix are also superb and the parts suit them perfectly. There are also a number of less "popular" artists who also deserve a big "bravo". Amongst them I have to mention ex-Mr Universe Ralph Moeller who is mostly used as the comic relief of the movie. In Gladiator we can also the beautiful and popular Maltese TV Star and actress Ruth Frendo, who although has a small part, she is totally brilliant and outstanding.

Actually I got to IMDb while I was looking for her name on the internet, in fact on IMDb she has some very stunning photos. I was lucky to meet Ruth Frendo whilst she was filming in another Maltese production. Ruth Frendo is not only a gorgeous and talented actress but she is also amazingly intelligent and very down-to-earth. We will definitely be seeing more of her work in the future...

The scenery used for "Gladiator" is brilliant – and the opening battle scene is definitely one of my top favorite scenes. The modern camera technique contrasts sharply to the brutality of the gladiators actions and blood shed during the movie; and I love the light contrasts thanks to the lenses which most definitely have been used to create a surreal feel to the entire movie

"Gladiator" definitely is a classic film as it combines a simple, but moving, story with beautiful scenery, filming, direction and score – it is truly a "complete" movie.

I am mostly compelled with the beautiful script which in a way reminds me of poetry, though it is still everyday language. I love the acting portrayed by the late Oliver Reed and also Richard Harris. Russell Crowe, Djimon Housou and Joaquin Phoenix are also superb and the parts suit them perfectly. There are also a number of less "popular" artists who also deserve a big "bravo". Amongst them I have to mention ex-Mr Universe Ralph Moeller who is mostly used as the comic relief of the movie. In Gladiator we can also the beautiful and popular Maltese TV Star and actress Ruth Frendo, who although has a small part, she is totally brilliant and outstanding.

Actually I got to IMDb while I was looking for her name on the internet, in fact on IMDb she has some very stunning photos. I was lucky to meet Ruth Frendo whilst she was filming in another Maltese production. Ruth Frendo is not only a gorgeous and talented actress but she is also amazingly intelligent and very down-to-earth. We will definitely be seeing more of her work in the future...

The scenery used for "Gladiator" is brilliant – and the opening battle scene is definitely one of my top favorite scenes. The modern camera technique contrasts sharply to the brutality of the gladiators actions and blood shed during the movie; and I love the light contrasts thanks to the lenses which most definitely have been used to create a surreal feel to the entire movie.

"Gladiator" deserves all the awards and great reviews it has received, and for those of you who still haven't gone and watched it – I can assure you that it will be well worth your time and money. So go on and rent it now!

Germania, 150 AD, the setting of Gladiator's opening scene. Far from the blazing sun and dazzlingly beauty of ancient Rome, Ridley Scott shoots the opening sequence in a subdued light. The Roman legions are nonetheless impeccably turned out as they face the comparatively disorganised rabble that inhabits this miserable environment. Caesar's soldiers seem somewhat misplaced here. However, Russell Crowe is at home in this environment of knee-deep mud and merciless snow. He commands the screen with all the virtues of his motto: ‘Strength and Honour.'

The plot, with its hero-to-zero-to-hero nature, runs through Gladiator's every vein. As General Maximus, Russell Crowe is welcomed by Marcus Aurelius Caesar (Richard Harris) to take the Roman throne as Emperor of a new Republic. All does not run smoothly however as mislead heir to the throne Commodus (Phoenix) takes over Rome with ill-gotten domination, having dispatched his own Father. Maximus is cast out to find his family murdered and his Spanish farm burnt to the ground. Taken in as a slave by Proximo (Reed), Maximus becomes a Gladiator and starts his journey to the Coliseum and revenge against Commodus.

Scott's cast is powerful and he is not left wanting as powerful performances are delivered by all. Due to his untimely mid-production death, Oliver Reed is created in some scenes by the grace of computer graphics, which are as convincing as they come; sometimes making it difficult to differentiate between Reed himself and his computerised counterpart.

It is, however, the supporting actors who create many of Gladiator's best dialogue-based scenes. In an accomplished demonstration of her acting ability as Lucilla, Connie Nielsen saves the occasional scene as Joaquim Phoenix shows us that he can ‘do evil', but is less convincing when it comes to the more emotional qualities of his role.

As a vehicle for the plot, Scott's beautifully created and highly symbolic (there is an image of fire in nearly every shot of the film) dialogue scenes are of a certain merit with digitally created backgrounds that encompass the meticulous nature of the Roman Empire. However, dialogue alone does not an epic movie make, and it is in the film's spectacular action sequences that Gladiator come into its own. Shot on location in Malta, Scott's first arena was built by an army of locals and commanded some 5000 extras (a large majority of whom were of a cardboard variety). All of this pales in comparison as we arrive in a digitally created Rome which makes some scenes in Ben Hur some somewhat small scale. The Coliseum is immense, both inside and out, and the computerised provides the electric atmosphere in which Crowe and his feline companions (four sizeable, and real, Bengal tigers) perform.

The battle sequences are perfectly choreographed and shot as iconic masks and typically Roman chariots are abundant in their power and imagery. As swords clash and heads roll, Ridley Scott is triumphant in the application of special effects technology and his directorial prowess.

Always one to embrace technology, Scott's views over Rome's landscape are reminiscent of the beautifully created cityscape of Blade Runner. This is a film that fears so little and boasts so much, even a lady archer being sliced clean in half by a spiked chariot wheel!

All those involved with Gladiator should be delighted and confident with their creation, for indeed this is a convincing and enthralling display with epic proportions to take the wind from James Cameron's titanic sails.

Russell Crowe was amazing in this film. I like these type of film because they always seem to and do have excellent story line that is clear and concise and make you want to watch it again and again. If you Like this film be sure to watch 300.
Great film.

Germania, 150 AD, the setting of Gladiator's opening scene. Far from the blazing sun and dazzlingly beauty of ancient Rome, Ridley Scott shoots the opening sequence in a subdued light. The Roman legions are nonetheless impeccably turned out as they face the comparatively disorganised rabble that inhabits this miserable environment. Caesar's soldiers seem somewhat misplaced here. However, Russell Crowe is at home in this environment of knee-deep mud and merciless snow. He commands the screen with all the virtues of his motto: ‘Strength and Honour.'

The plot, with its hero-to-zero-to-hero nature, runs through Gladiator's every vein. As General Maximus, Russell Crowe is welcomed by Marcus Aurelius Caesar (Richard Harris) to take the Roman throne as Emperor of a new Republic. All does not run smoothly however as mislead heir to the throne Commodus (Phoenix) takes over Rome with ill-gotten domination, having dispatched his own Father. Maximus is cast out to find his family murdered and his Spanish farm burnt to the ground. Taken in as a slave by Proximo (Reed), Maximus becomes a Gladiator and starts his journey to the Coliseum and revenge against Commodus.

Scott's cast is powerful and he is not left wanting as powerful performances are delivered by all. Due to his untimely mid-production death, Oliver Reed is created in some scenes by the grace of computer graphics, which are as convincing as they come; sometimes making it difficult to differentiate between Reed himself and his computerised counterpart.

It is, however, the supporting actors who create many of Gladiator's best dialogue-based scenes. In an accomplished demonstration of her acting ability as Lucilla, Connie Nielsen saves the occasional scene as Joaquim Phoenix shows us that he can ‘do evil', but is less convincing when it comes to the more emotional qualities of his role.

As a vehicle for the plot, Scott's beautifully created and highly symbolic (there is an image of fire in nearly every shot of the film) dialogue scenes are of a certain merit with digitally created backgrounds that encompass the meticulous nature of the Roman Empire. However, dialogue alone does not an epic movie make, and it is in the film's spectacular action sequences that Gladiator come into its own. Shot on location in Malta, Scott's first arena was built by an army of locals and commanded some 5000 extras (a large majority of whom were of a cardboard variety). All of this pales in comparison as we arrive in a digitally created Rome which makes some scenes in Ben Hur some somewhat small scale. The Coliseum is immense, both inside and out, and the computerised provides the electric atmosphere in which Crowe and his feline companions (four sizeable, and real, Bengal tigers) perform.

The battle sequences are perfectly choreographed and shot as iconic masks and typically Roman chariots are abundant in their power and imagery. As swords clash and heads roll, Ridley Scott is triumphant in the application of special effects technology and his directorial prowess.

Always one to embrace technology, Scott's views over Rome's landscape are reminiscent of the beautifully created cityscape of Blade Runner. This is a film that fears so little and boasts so much, even a lady archer being sliced clean in half by a spiked chariot wheel!

All those involved with Gladiator should be delighted and confident with their creation, for indeed this is a convincing and enthralling display with epic proportions to take the wind from James Cameron's titanic sails.

This film from start to finish was well directed could not have been cast better, and the acting was undeniably masterful their was not a moment in the film where it dragged or left one hanging. This will be a film which will be watched by generations to come, this film is a must see for all, highly recommend watching this movie five out of five stars.