Gladiator (2000)
Country: US
Technical: col/Super 35 155m
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi
Synopsis:
A.D.180: the emperor Marcus Aurelius passes over his son in favour of the commander of his northern army for the role of protector of the people on his death. Commodus, however, has other ideas and attempts to liquidate the general Maximus. The latter survives but must become a gladiator before getting the chance to avenge himself and his family.
Review:
This, one might think, passé amalgam of Spartacus, Ben-Hur and The Fall of the Roman Empire did surprisingly well at the box office. The blood-letting is up to date, though not as graphic as one might have expected from this director, and the CGI effects are capable of realizing images of Roman splendour inconceivable in the past without the construction of vast sets and the hiring of armies of extras. There is a fanciful storyline, with some startling implausibilities, but on the plus side Scott brings on some evocative visuals relating to Maximus's closeness to the earth and belief in the afterlife which are new to the genre. It is an exciting movie and no doubt establishes Crowe as the Gibson of the next decade or so. Lighting and editing are second to none, even contriving some impressive matching of sound and visuals to Hans Zimmer's stirring music. (If my ears do not deceive me, Scott uses the war chants from Zulu for the Germanic tribes in the opening sequence.)
Country: US
Technical: col/Super 35 155m
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi
Synopsis:
A.D.180: the emperor Marcus Aurelius passes over his son in favour of the commander of his northern army for the role of protector of the people on his death. Commodus, however, has other ideas and attempts to liquidate the general Maximus. The latter survives but must become a gladiator before getting the chance to avenge himself and his family.
Review:
This, one might think, passé amalgam of Spartacus, Ben-Hur and The Fall of the Roman Empire did surprisingly well at the box office. The blood-letting is up to date, though not as graphic as one might have expected from this director, and the CGI effects are capable of realizing images of Roman splendour inconceivable in the past without the construction of vast sets and the hiring of armies of extras. There is a fanciful storyline, with some startling implausibilities, but on the plus side Scott brings on some evocative visuals relating to Maximus's closeness to the earth and belief in the afterlife which are new to the genre. It is an exciting movie and no doubt establishes Crowe as the Gibson of the next decade or so. Lighting and editing are second to none, even contriving some impressive matching of sound and visuals to Hans Zimmer's stirring music. (If my ears do not deceive me, Scott uses the war chants from Zulu for the Germanic tribes in the opening sequence.)
Country: US
Technical: col/Super 35 155m
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Richard Harris, Oliver Reed, Derek Jacobi
Synopsis:
A.D.180: the emperor Marcus Aurelius passes over his son in favour of the commander of his northern army for the role of protector of the people on his death. Commodus, however, has other ideas and attempts to liquidate the general Maximus. The latter survives but must become a gladiator before getting the chance to avenge himself and his family.
Review:
This, one might think, passé amalgam of Spartacus, Ben-Hur and The Fall of the Roman Empire did surprisingly well at the box office. The blood-letting is up to date, though not as graphic as one might have expected from this director, and the CGI effects are capable of realizing images of Roman splendour inconceivable in the past without the construction of vast sets and the hiring of armies of extras. There is a fanciful storyline, with some startling implausibilities, but on the plus side Scott brings on some evocative visuals relating to Maximus's closeness to the earth and belief in the afterlife which are new to the genre. It is an exciting movie and no doubt establishes Crowe as the Gibson of the next decade or so. Lighting and editing are second to none, even contriving some impressive matching of sound and visuals to Hans Zimmer's stirring music. (If my ears do not deceive me, Scott uses the war chants from Zulu for the Germanic tribes in the opening sequence.)