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Gladiator
(2000) |
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For the last month or so there has been one Hollywood star that has dominated the covers of film magazines in the United Kingdom and across the Atlantic in the United States. That person is Russell Crowe. Fresh from his role in Michael Mann's critically acclaimed Insider, Crowe has stormed audiences with his latest performance in Gladiator. Already drawing large crowds in the United States, Gladiator arrived in the United Kingdom with the added attraction of being directed by British director Ridley Scott.
The film starts impressively - with a brutal battle scene that sees the Romans extending their already massive empire. The army is inspirationally lead to victory by General Maximus. The battle over, the Roman Emperor, Marcus Aurelius confides in his favourite General (Maximus) putting forward his plan to make Maximus the protector of the Empire until power can be handed over to the Senate, thereby making Rome a republic. Expectedly this does not go well with the Emperor's insecure son Commodus who dreams of taking over the reigns from his father. Before the Emperor's plan can be realised, Commodus murders his father and orders the death of Maximus. Maximus narrowly escapes his death only to find his son and wife have been brutally murdered. He is then captured, enslaved and reappears in Rome in his new role - as a Gladiator out for revenge. Ridley Scott, revered for his ground breaking Sci-fi classics, Alien and Blade Runner, has had less success with historical subjects. His Columbus biopic 1492 was a disaster. So a second stab at a historical subject was a brave effort especially considering that 'Roman' films have all but disappeared from screens for a while now. Scott's film is a modern epic - an old fashioned film that has been brought into the modern world through the use of the latest film technology. The scenes of ancient Rome are recreated through the use of computer graphics and the gladiatorial contests are enhanced through the use of digital extras. Even Oliver Reed who sadly died during filming is digitally 'brought back to life' for a final scene. However, despite modern technology, the essence of the film remains like the epics of the past. It is dramatic, spectacular and larger than life. Scott maintains a good pace throughout the film and the action, particularly the gladiatorial scenes, is thrillingly presented. On the down side, the film is clichéd, overblown, and becomes overly melodramatic towards the end. But that is what epics are made of and despite its drawbacks the separate parts of the film work well together to produce an effect that is exciting and 'fun'. Scott has repackaged old wine in a new bottle but the effect is still uplifting and as summer blockbuster it will set the pace for others to come. Scott's film is helped immensely by the powerful performance of its male lead. Russell Crowe, first noted in LA Confidential, then critically acclaimed in Michael Mann's The Insider, is devastatingly magnetic. Gladiator has transformed him into Hollywood's new action hero. Rugged and tough he is likely to take over the action roles that a aging superstars Mel Gibson and Harrison Ford cannot do any more. Crowe's Maximus is what heroes are meant to be. Joaquin Phoenix (playing Commodus the new emperor) provides the perfect foil to Crowe. Phoenix brings the required ambivalence to a role that far from being solely villainous is interestingly complex. There are also welcome cameos from Richard Harris and Oliver Reed. Reed died 90% of the way through the filming of Gladiator and his performance will remind audiences that he will be missed. Gladiator is far from a great film but it is good fun, especially if you are able to watch it on a big screen. This rousing epic is exactly what summer blockbusters are supposed to be like.......magnificent big screen entertainment all the way. Entertaining from start to finish. Be warned though - the film was given a 15 certificate and I came out reeling at some of the violence of the gladiatorial scenes.
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