Full Movie Reviews
Rating of
3.5/4
Are you not entertained?
Matthew Brady - wrote on 02/28/2015
Marcus Aurelius: "Death smiles us all. All a man can do is smile back".
The story is about a man robbed of his name and his dignity strives to win them back, and gain the freedom of his people, in this epic historical drama from director Ridley Scott. In the year 180, the death of emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) throws the Roman Empire into chaos. Maximus (Russell Crowe) is one of the Roman army's most capable and trusted generals and a key advisor to the emperor. As Marcus' devious son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) ascends to the throne, Maximus is set to be executed. He escapes, but is captured by slave traders. Renamed Spaniard and forced to become a gladiator, Maximus must battle to the death with other men for the amusement of paying audiences.
For once the Oscars got …
Rating of
3.5/4
More than just a 'boys' movie!
MovieAddict - wrote on 06/02/2012
One of the movie's best lines: ‘ My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius,Commander of the Armies of the north, General of the Felix legions, loyal to the true Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and now I will have my vengeance, in this life or in the next.'
Father, I would have butchered the whole world...if you would only love me." – Commodus
Russell Crowe portrays the loyal Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when Rome's Caesar Marcus Auerlius (Richard Harris) names Maximus as his successor over his own son Commodus. Caesar’s ambitious son, Commodus, (Joqauin Phoenix) consumed by jealousy murders his father; banishes Maximus dispatching Praetorian guards to murder his family and assumes control of the throne. …
Rating of
4/4
"Gladiator" by Yojimbo
Yojimbo - wrote on 05/11/2012
Ridley Scott's modern classic may take a lot of cues from the likes of Spartacus and Ben Hur but in many ways it surpasses them. The thrilling combat sequences are as good as any committed to celluloid and as impressive the CG recreation of ancient Rome is, it's the wonderful dialogue, characters and design that breathes life into it. Russel Crowe charismatically heads a magnificent cast, featuring Richard Harris as the ageing Marcus Aurelius Caesar tired of conquest and wishing to leave a legacy after his death, veteran Shakespearean Derek Jacobi providing the political intrigue behind the scenes, scheming to replace the Emperor with a democratic republic, Oliver Reed as Maximus' new mentor dreaming of recreating past glories and Connie Nielsen as the conniving Lucilla whose true motive …
Rating of
4/4
Not perfect but definitely great film
Moviehead - wrote on 04/01/2012
Not perfect but definitely great film. Story is good. It is not supposed to be about real historical events, it is supposed to create atmosphere of time of Roman empire. And it does it very well. Rome is not realistic, it is very dreamy and imaginative and that is just great. Another thing i like is that characters arent nowdays people, they belive in gods and that sort of stuff and that helps film very much.
Film is emotional but i wouldnt say it was sentimental. I would say it is actually positive and even inspiring. Main character is good man, but not too idealized like spartacus, just a man who was normal in very tough conditions.
Visually it is not perfect as it could be but it is good. Some scenes are very powerful and i liked his visions very much. They worked great. If Scott …
Rating of
4/4
Amazingly Acted, and Directed. Epic!
Moviejunkie - wrote on 09/04/2011
This movie gives us the unvarnished truth about life and then challenges us to live by a code the ancients new well: to be true to one's best self, for nothing else will ever be of any lasting consequence. In the final analysis, lasting self esteem and true inner peace can only come from living up to our highest ideals without flinching or compromising. This entails loss and severe hardship. Maximus is an example of how to struggle with this tough challenge we humans are saddled with.
His arrow-straight nature, uncompromising sense of duty and his ability to endure pain and suffering for the truth make him a worthy role model. A person of true character. Where are such men today? Who and what have our Gods become?
We should all be so lucky to stand in such a man's presence so we may …
Rating of
4/4
Gladiator review
Daniel Corleone - wrote on 08/03/2011
I am very fortunate to have viewed this masterpiece on theaters. Great character build-up, realistic effects, the cinematography was gorgeous and themes were substantial. The film is about a General who became a slave because he was accused of murder. Cast includes Russell Crowe as the skilled gladiator named Maximus Decimus Meridius, Joaquin Phoenix as the atrocious Commudus, Connie Nielsen as Lucilla and Oliver Reed as the competitive wise Proximo. The plot was very engaging since it involved the background characters. The protagonists character development just makes you empathize with what he is experiencing. Never was there a dull moment and the pace was continues to keep you involved. Maximus would do everything for his family. You feel in those times crimes and corruption …
Rating of
4/4
26. Gladiator.........
Mr. B.K. Tinney - wrote on 04/25/2009
Masterfully directed by Ridley Scott and starring an equally impressive Russell Crowe, this movie is one of my favorites of the past decade. Crowe plays Maximus, the heralded Roman general who is chosen by the aging Caesar Marcus Aurelius (played perfectly by Richard Harris) to succeed him as ruler of Rome. Having heard of this news, Aurelius' son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) murders his father out of jealousy and has Maximus and his family killed while taking the thrown for himself. Maximus escapes death but having been too late for his wife and son gives up on life and becomes a gladiator. Little does he know that it will bring him to the Colosseum to the blood thirsty crowd of Rome that includes the new Caesar in Commodus. It is then that he will set out to get his revenge. Dijmon …
Rating of
4/4
Review - Gladiator (2000)
Delorted - wrote on 11/11/2007
Maximus (Russell Crowe) was a Roman general who was loved by the emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). When the heir to the throne, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), murdered his own father and ordered the same for Maximus and his family, the general escaped and became a gladiator in order to seek revenge. His journey to vengeance is told in the Best Picture winning film, "Gladiator."
It is rare that a summer blockbuster has what it takes to be a great film. Usually it will be entertaining and nothing more, but "Gladiator" gave a great story with solid acting and amazing characters.
While the film has a slow beginning filled with carefully written exposition, it quickly picks up and keeps you watching to the end. The action sequences are thrilling and the dramatic scenes are …
