Gladiator (2000)

[Water Bottle]

A-

 

It could be a little melodramatic with it's writing and delivery (what does this movie think it is sometimes, a Shakespearean play?) but it's frankly amazing nonetheless. The action remains flawless, there's a lot of tension throughout the movie, and it's able to really make all of the major characters work on an emotional level.

 

The movie of course had a point beyond the action: it tried to answer the metaphysical question of what Rome was. Was it just a mob of people dictating where the leaders go? Or was it more, a vision of greatness? What is that vision? Ultimately, the movie was about the competing definitions of what Rome was which is what allows it to have some depth.

[Lordmandeep]

A-

 

It could be a little melodramatic with it's writing and delivery (what does this movie think it is sometimes, a Shakespearean play?) but it's frankly amazing nonetheless. The action remains flawless, there's a lot of tension throughout the movie, and it's able to really make all of the major characters work on an emotional level.

 

The movie of course had a point beyond the action: it tried to answer the metaphysical question of what Rome was. Was it just a mob of people dictating where the leaders go? Or was it more, a vision of greatness? What is that vision? Ultimately, the movie was about the competing definitions of what Rome was which is what allows it to have some depth.

 

 

 

Agree

 

 

I think the movie went for an "old school" approach for its dialogue delivery and imo it made the film stand out and the dialogue from the movie was very well appreciated and quoted to this day. 

 

About the bigger question, the film does show that Rome was at its peak, Marcus Aurelius was actually trying to reform Rome and make it much more sustainable...However Commodus terrible rule started the decline of the Roman Empire. 

[Goffe]

I'm a Scott fan and I couldn't be any more disappointed. It certainly doesn't live up to its classic status.

 

The biggest problem is Crowe and his character. Maximus is the worst protagonist archetype out there, he is a flawless guy who can do no wrong, beacon of all good things, he will face adversities with courage and always win, even if he's bleeding to death and his opponent is extremely skilled (as established early in the film).  He doesn't show any emotion (like fear or despair) that could make him less than an unnaturally perfect human being. Crowe doesn't help either, he doesn't have an ounce of charisma for the character.

 

Commodus is incarnated evil, or at least that's what we are told, because his actions don't match how villainous the movie portrays him, until the third act that is, like many other movies, the villain act out of his character, to make himself more despicable and completely deserving of his outcome. It's extremely inconsistent and frustrating. 

 

Another low point is the action, totally yawn fests.

 

It has quite a few iconic moments, but that's not what good movies are made of.

 

Best moment in the film, Phoenix kills it, the old guy is also extremely good. I wish I could have seen a movie about Commodus instead.

 

-45/100

Edited August 18, 2015 by Goffe

[baumer]

The action scenes are a yawn fest?  What Gladiator movie did you watch?

[Ethan Hunt]

This movie is boring as fuck

[darkelf]

This movie is boring as fuck

 

You're an asshole then.

[Goffe]

The action scenes are a yawn fest?  What Gladiator movie did you watch?

it's a little hard to be invested in the action scenes if you don't care about the main protagonist, like at all.

Edited August 18, 2015 by Goffe

[Lordmandeep]

Undoubtedly a modern classic and has one of the greatest endings in history.

 

"Is Rome worth one good man's life?

 

We believed it once.

 

Make us believe it again.

 

He was a soldier of Rome.

 

Honor him."

 

 

 

A

[Kravetz]

this film has a few scenes that area among the best in the business. "father to a murdered son' speech alone is one I never get tired of watching. All the performances are great. And I didn't expect that going in. 

[Ozymandias]

We who are about to die, salute you!

 

Seriously, A fucking +

[redfirebird2008]

Rewatched it this weekend for the first time in years. Hell of a movie!!!

 

I have to say Connie Nielsen was damn good in this. The primary male actors both received a lot of credit for their excellent work, but I am surprised Connie did not receive an Oscar nomination.