`Gladiator' – Hail Caesar! by Homer Yen (c) 2000
`Gladiator' is a story that roars one simple message. And that message is `Charge!' This film steadily rushes towards you like centurions on a chariot. Fun summer movies are about being visceral delights. And this one delivers. Heroic in tone, epic in scope, and far from bloodless, the summer's first blockbuster-to-be is a grand tale of Rome, retribution, and requital.
The film opens with an ambitious battle sequence. `At my command, unleash Hell,' says the film's hero, General Maximus (stately Russell Crowe). Maximus leads his legion of troops into battle, masterminding an important victory for the glory of Rome. His continued leadership has brought him the admiration and love of the current but aging Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (regal Richard Harris). A benevolent leader with noble visions of Rome's future, his final hope is for Maximus to succeed him when he dies.
This decision infuriates Aurelius's tempestuous son, Commodus (darkly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix). Consumed with jealousy, he attempts to destroy Maximus and his family before ascending the throne himself. The crafty General manages to escape, but his family is not as lucky.
Stripped of everything he loves, he is captured by slave traders and then subsequently sold to Proximo (Oliver Reed), a businessman who specializes in training Gladiators. In the training arena, Maximus filets his opponents as easily as Japanese chefs filet fish. But he is also taught that he must win over the crowd if he is to truly win the match.
As a victorious and popular gladiator, he will travel to Rome to perform in the Colosseum. As a man with a noble heart, his personal crusade is followed with much interest. As such, he garners support from fellow gladiators (including Djimon Honsou), a former love/Commodus's sister (Connie Nielsen), and a civic-minded Senator (Derek Jacobi). He looks for a chance to avenge the death of his family, restore his honor and posthumously bring forth the vision of Emperor Aurelius.
To enjoy `Gladiator' fully, find a big screen with a good sound system. There is an array of impressive combat sequences with equally imposing sound effects. When you hear a battle axe being thrown, you might want to look over your right shoulder just in case. Cinematography is also beautiful. From its renderings of ancient Rome to the way hues are incorporated into scenes (for example, gray hues magnify the bleakness of battle while rich amber hues reflect the lushness enjoyed by the nobility), careful attention is taken to immerse the audience in the movie-going experience. And the 165-minute saga of Maximus is stately and absorbing. Crowe is a gladiator's gladiator and he brings depth and feeling to a new breed of action heroes.
Yet, I have two reservations (no spoilers given). The first was that Commodus was seemingly baleful, but his actions took a backseat to his psychotic personality. He was all talk but a man of little action. When the final showdown occurs, the audience doesn't view him as much of a threat. A greater reservation, however, was the pace of the final act. So much momentum was building towards the finale that its ultimate resolution seemed like an apology from the director because they couldn't secure enough financing to finish it with the same kind of epic battle that catapulted its beginning.
But these are just minor points in an otherwise grand story. `Gladiator' is spectacular summer fare. Its tale is engaging, its presentation is bold, and it certainly sets the bar for summer movies at a high level.
Grade: A-
S: 1 out of 3 L: 1 out of 3 V: 3 out of 3
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