GLADIATOR (2000)

A general who became a slave. A slave who became a gladiator. A gladiator who defied an emperor.


GENRE
Action/Adventure/Drama


STORYLINE
When a Roman general is betrayed and his family murdered by an emperor's corrupt son, he comes to Rome as a gladiator to seek revenge.


DIRECTOR
Ridley Scott


CAST
Russel Crowe
Joaquin Phoenix
Connie Nielsen


MY REVIEW
I am a big fan of epic movies and this certainly is one of the best I have ever seen.  You may never love violent movies but I am sure you wouldn't be able to keep your eyes off this movie once you start watching it.


The movie is about Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russel Crowe) who is the general of the Roman army and the most trusted man in the eyes of the Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris).  The emperor considers him his ideal heir even though he has a son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix).  This angers Commodus and he plots against his father and Maximus.   Maximus somehow survives and returns back to Rome as a Gladiator to seek revenge. 


Everything is good about this movie.  From the script to the direction, from the cinematography to the performances.  The story is really well written.  This is exactly how a story must be told.The action sequences are breathtaking and extremely graphic.  The scenes involving the gladiators fighting in the Colosseum simply give you goosebumps.  The direction, well Ridley Scott never ceases to amaze you.  After perfecting a futuristic film like Alien, with this movie he goes back in time to an era of emperors and gladiators and gives you a classic you cant forget once you have watched it.  Even the soundtrack of this movie is perfect and so apt for this film.


This role might well be Russel Crowe's best role so far.  He is so convincing as the general, the slave or the gladiator.   Joaquin Phoenix is also amazing in this film.   You cant take your eyes off his character in this film even if the scene has Russel Crowe.   He is just perfect as the evil and corrupt son of the emperor.  Connie Nielson as Commodus's sister has also done a good job.


Watch this movie for the performances, the direction, the action and the cinematography.  This movie is recommended for all.


MY RATING 9.5/10


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