Film Review: Gladiator 2000 (Ridley Scott)

Film Review:

Gladiator 2000 - 

Ridley Scott is a director I know for his ability to make films scoping different genres. Whether it be cynical, twisted Sci-fi in the form of Alien (1979) or the more visually stimulating and philosophical Sci-fi in Blade Runner (1982). Scott went against the grain again with his box office and critically acclaimed success Roman epic: Gladiator (2000). This is a film that goes out of “convention” in terms of what is to be expected from films based around the Greco-Roman genre as it deals with the brutality of the Colosseum and the wars involved in a way that relegated the violence to the backdrop for the real focus of the film, the characters relationships. 

The movie is visually stunning, I am the sort of film goer who greatly appreciates visual thrills as it offers emphasis to the movies theme through the imagery provided as well as drawing the audience more into the story Scott uses visuals more subtly in Gladiator than in Blade Runner, a visual masterpiece, using muted colours of greys and melancholy blues to represent the spirituality of the after life and the cold calm of the Roman Senate. 

Never have I seen the most visually stimulating use of the colour grey

The story focuses on a Spanish - Roman general Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) in AD 180, who after leading a victory over the Germanic tribes of Vindobana further gains more favour with the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), much to his son’s, Commodus, jealousy. Maximus is the kind of emperor Rome needs, which Aurelius sees, however it is his family that he wishes to be with. After informing an unstable Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) of his preference for Maximus to be rule proves fatal for the emperor as his son kills him in a fit of passion stemming from his need for power and the rejection as a son. In an effort to eliminate the competition and protect himself Commodus charges Maximus with the Emperors death. After surviving execution the fugitive general returns home to find his family slaughtered. The whole movie then revolves around Maximus plotting revenge whilst becoming the most popular Gladiator after his capture and purchase by Proximo (Oliver Reed). Then involving himself in power games with the man - child emperor Commodus.

The characters, especially the leading men, are very interesting. Commodus is the Caligula, a man of great immaturity granted with too much power, so naturally everything goes to shit. His character is so engrossing that you are waiting for the next outlandish act he will commit, whether it be throw his toys out of the basket or creep on his sister some more. The character's magnetism may have something to do with Joaquin Phoenix’s extraordinary talent as he scene steals from the ultra machismo of Crowe. 

Seems very fit to rule. Very mentally stable...

  This is not discounting Russell Crowe who uses his inherent rough, yet intelligent, masculinity to his advantage. What separates Crowe from generic action stars is the intelligence he brings to his characters and his performances. Dumb brute Maximus is not, he is a man of great leadership and perceptiveness who you root for from his beginning to his, unfortunate and yet fortunate, end. 
   Richard Harris plays Marcus Aurelius with the same grace and irrefutable calmness used in his short reign as Albus Dumbledore. Though you do wonder why he tells his perpetually watery eyed, emotional bomb of a son that he is a failure and will never be allowed to reign without, maybe, thinking that plan might back fire?

Meryl Streep. Are you up for donating one of your Oscars?

And then there is the late great original bad guy Oliver Reed, with a raspy upper class voice and sheer bravado he steals the screen one last time (though I will personally never forget his fabulous cameo in The League of Gentlemen). 

Djimon Hounsou plays the all seeing, wise, black sidekick Juba who forms an endearing friendship with the Spaniard. However I would have liked the cliche of the Magical Negro to not have existed. But considering the films age,  I will give it the the benefit of the doubt as I imagine Ridley Scott will do his POC characters a little bit more justice in his new epic: Exodus:Gods! https://d262ilb51hltx0.cloudfront.net/max/800/1*MVkJ1Kk0Hje_FipBkmDaPw.jpeg - Look at all that diversity. 

You cannot fault the movie that produced two iconic awesome quotes, the bad ass inducing: ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED that birthed many an Internet meme, and through sheer force of masculinity got me pregnant. Had to be said.

Yes, very....now take off your shirt

Another favourite is the "heel face turn" speech were Maximus basically sasses Commodus by revealing his identity in the most fabulous way. The speech captures the intensity of Maximus's unyielding motivations and the whole film's theme of determination against odds perfectly while equally sending chills down your spine.

"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the TRUE emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

Despite it's brilliance Gladiator is not one of my favourite films, even though I have a recurring obsession with anything set in the Greco-Roman era. The film is perhaps a little too grandiose, it could have done more on political intrigue, more romance perhaps. However it boils down to a fantastic movie that is both superbly done and executed.

Overall the film manages to push its theme of the afterlife and the value of family quite gracefully while the audience still wishes Maximus might of survived even though in light of his circumstances dying was his most favourable option. The soundtrack by Hans Zimmer puts further emphasis on the spirituality of the movie whilst also providing songs that fit perfectly with the fierce battle scenes. 

I give Gladiator 5 stars out of 5 on an objective stand point due to the cinematic excellence, gritty acting and visual appeal. Overall a must see, worth a watch and one of the best war films made.  

I give it a 2 out of 5 on the Feminist rating scale due to there being only one prominent female character, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). On a high note she is a fairly strong willed character. However do not go an see this film from a Feminist stand point as you will not be satisfied!

If you enjoyed Gladiator you will enjoy the films that inspired it: The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964) and Spartacus (1960)

As well as other films based in the Greco/Roman era: Troy (2004), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Titus (1999) and Braveheart (1995)