“What we do in life echoes in eternity.” —Maximus
Today’s quick review: Gladiator. After the Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) is slain by his son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Aurelius’s favorite general Maximus (Russell Crowe) is betrayed and sold into slavery. He is taken to the outskirts of the Roman Empire, where an aging entertainer (Oliver Reed) forces him to fight as a gladiator. There his prowess in the arena earns him the favor of the crowd and a chance to return to Rome.
Gladiator is a historical drama from director Ridley Scott. Featuring violent action, a rich atmosphere, strong dramatic performances, and an impressive soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, Gladiator is a polished film that offers a fictionalized glimpse into Ancient Rome. Though it takes some liberties with historical events, the setting feels authentic and the movie works in snippets of Roman history in natural ways.
The combat in gladiator is gory, tense, and fairly realistic. Maximus is a formidable warrior but not infallible, and his success as a gladiator is as much a result of teamwork and clever tactics as it is his skill as a swordsman. The perils of the arena offer plenty of variety to keep action fans satisfied, while the skilled worldbuilding and character development offer more depth than a typical action movie.
Watch Gladiator if you are in the mood for a well-executed, action-packed historical drama. Steer clear if you dislike violence or you are looking for a light watch.
8.5 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for overall high quality.