Gladiator (05 May 2000)
directed by Ridley Scott
starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield, John Shrapnel, Tomas Arana, Spencer Treat Clark, David Hemmings, David Bailie, Giorgio Cantarini
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MPAA rating: Studio: DreamWorks SKG, Universal Pictures Script: David Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson Music: Hans Zimmer Running time: 154 minutes Tags: Action; ceasar; chariots; colleseum; empires; heroes; Rome; swords; war Tactical strength: [8/10]
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for intense, graphic combat
How far can a man take the motto "strength and honor"? How much impact can a single man true to that motto have against a corrupt government? And how many gory deaths can you display in a single film? Gladiator attempts to answer these questions.
Shortly after defeating the Germanian forces, General Maximus (Russell Crowe) meets privately with aging Caesar Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Caesar explains that his son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), will not succeed him. Instead, Caesar names Maximus as the protector of Rome until the Senate reforms and returns the empire to a republic. Maximus asks to consider the proposal, but Caesar dies that day and Commodus announces himself as the new Caesar.
Maximus refuses to acknowledge Commodus, and Commodus attempts to have Maximus killed. Maximus defeats his executioners, and races home to Spain to protect his wife and son (Giorgio Cantarini). He arrives too late and finds his family dead. Exhausted from his ride and a shoulder wound, Maximus collapses. He awakes in a slave-trader's caravan and is sold as a gladiator to Proximo (Oliver Reed), who teaches Maximus that gladiators must entertain the crowd, no just efficiently kill.
To commemorate his ascension to emperor, Commodus announces 150 days of games in the Colosseum. Maximus soon becomes a crowd favorite, but continually seeks an opportunity to kill Commodus.
One could criticize Franzoni and his fellow scriptwriters for making Maximus's character so shallow, but they have not created a modern fictional character that must grow and change. Rather, they tell a classic story of the hero and his trials. Maximus serves as the embodiment of the Roman Legion's motto "strength and honor." The first third of the film establishes his physical strength, loyalty to both Caesar and his men, and his charismatic leadership. The rest of the film provides trials on the hero's path to save his people.
The script also touches on some other philosophical issues, such as why do men risk their lives for the glory of the Roman Empire? Gladiator doesn't provide a satisfactory answer, but does contrast the characters of those who seek to serve them selves and the honorable characters who give up self to serve the country. But these questions quickly take a back seat to the merry killing in the Colosseum.
Gladiator succeeds as a hero story, and Louis DiGiaimo should get some recognition for casting actors into perfect parts for their characters. I enjoyed the battles and the recreation of 2nd century Rome, but Gladiator doesn't carry the depth of feeling you get from other hero movies, such as Spartacus or Braveheart, and probably won't endure time as well as Alien, Blade Runner, or some other Ridley Scott films.
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