Review
Gladiator
- Director
- Ridley Scott
- Year
- 2000
- Rating
- Reviewed by
- José Ruiloba a.k.a. Morris
- Review date
- Wednesday, September 06, 2006
Maximus (Russel Crowe), general of the Roman Army and personal friend of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), is forced to become a slave once the latter dies and his power-hungry son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) takes his place. After his family is killed he opts to make the full out of becoming a gladiator in order to reach his enemy and fight for revenge with the help of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Commodus’s sister, and his friend Juba (Djimon Hounsou).
The screenplay is credited to three writers: David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson. Their work, aided by director Ridley Scott’s at his prime, becomes an epic filled with passion, intrigue, romance, suspense and a lot of violence. It is a movie so big and rich in detail that it reminds us of classics from the past. But besides its aggressive content and all the action in it, Gladiator is essentially about a wounded man in search of peace; a man who knew what love is and what it is to be loved, only to have it taken away from him. Maximus represents courage, dignity and hope in a world where blood was the solution to everything, whether it’d be war or pure diversion. You long for a sense of redemption, and the movie delivers.
The movie starts with a huge battle where Scott and his cinematographer John Mathieson equally show us its full scope while also getting inside the carnage. There are plenty other moments such as this, but the focus always remains on the characters. At the end of the day, it is a simple story the one being told, and it is also entirely character-driven. That’s what makes it work beyond the spectacle, its keen eye on human relationships. But there’s action galore, and every battle and every fight keep raising the stakes, leading to a rousing climax that is expertly handled and full of heart.
Every single technical aspect of the movie is flawless, from the aforementioned cinematography to the production design to the costumes to the make-up to the impressive special-effects that serve to recreate ancient Rome among other things. And then there’s Hans Zimmer’s score, which is hands down one of the best musical compositions ever put on film. I can honestly say the music elevates the movie in great measures and that’s how it should always be.
Russel Crowe won an Oscar for playing the titular character. He also cemented his place as one of the most talented actors in the world. He’s not only completely credible in all the action scenes, but just as good in quieter scenes. When he is mad, you want to stay away from him; when he is crying, you can feel his pain. The depth and spirituality with which he plays Maximus is just one of many pleasures the movie has to offer. Joaquin Phoenix, as the villain, transcends the character and brings him alive without a false move. It’s a difficult role but he is splendid in it. Connie Nielsen also tackles a difficult part in which she has to come off strong but show her vulnerable side with all its fragility. When her father tells her about what a great Ceasar she would have made if she only had been a man, you really believe it. The supporting cast is good all over the place and it includes Richard Harris, Djimon Honsou, Derek Jacobi and Oliver Reed, whose last scenes had to be computer-generated because of his unexpected death.
It is a feast for the senses.
"The general who became a slave; the slave who became a gladiator; the gladiator who defied an empire..."
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Other reviews of Gladiator (2000): Vincent
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