Gladiator is a film that promises furious action and a Roman epic from its very title. In these respects, it delivers. But there is a feeling throughout that we have seen this film before. And done better as well, whether the film you are reminded of is Ben-Hur, Spartacus, or Braveheart.
The film begins with Roman general Maximus (Russell Crowe) finishing a successful campaign against the Germanic tribes. Ever humble Maximus wishes to return to his farm, but instead is asked by wise old emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) to be his successor. But Marcus has a power mad son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), who naturally wants the throne for himself.
After Maximus refuses to support Commodus, he is made a slave. He is trained by Proximo (Oliver Reed) to become a gladiator in the arena. Of course, he soon becomes the greatest gladiator who has ever lived, in addition to being the greatest (and coolest) of the Roman generals.
This inevitably leads to more confrontations with the insane Commodus, who by now has designs on his own sister, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). At least his villainous character wasn't made a homosexual, as was the case in Braveheart.
Lucilla has an innocent preteenaged son, Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark). Sir Derek Jacobi plays Gracchus, a Roman senator who conspires against Commodus. And who can blame him?
The violence is quite intense. There's an amputation, and plenty of maiming. Violence can be comic (Army of Darkness) or shocking (Reservoir Dogs). But here it is merely present. There's no suspense, since we know that Crowe is highly unlikely to get killed. While the irony probably wasn't lost on either the writers or the director, it seems incongruous for Gracchus to condemn the mob's penchant for blood while the film serves it up in buckets.
I suppose that the fight scenes could be exciting, if you find yourself pulling for machismo, stone-faced Crowe. Comparing Crowe with his illustrious predecessors Charlton Heston, Kirk Douglas, and Mel Gibson, Crowe comes up short. His intensity and thirst for revenge just isn't as convincing.
But his performance might not be to blame as much as the direction by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise). While visually impressive, the film falls flat on an emotional level. The film is in severe need of camp, which Phoenix isn't quite able to deliver on his own.
Hard-drinking Oliver Reed died during the production. It looks like a stand-in was used for him in his final scene, where we see him from his bearish backside.
Gladiator had a huge opening weekend. It looks like it will make a ton of money. (52/100)
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