H/W Gladiator Film Review 31/8/07
“The Gladiator who defied an empire.” The film that won over our screens.
Gladiator is a compassionate film showing one man’s personal journey of vengeance. Russell Crowe as the lead actor was born for the part, with his demeanour and look about him, he makes the perfect Roman General.
We follow General Maximus from his latest battle and before he is allowed home the Emperor, Marcus Aurelius, (played by Richard Harris) tells the General he would like him to be crowned emperor after his death. However Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix) has other ideas and tries to execute Maximus and becomes Emperor himself. This is where the heart-warming story of Maximus really begins to unfold and you become involved in his journey and are made to feel like you want to step into his world and help him. This feeling especially grows on you after the horrific murder of his family by Commodus. Maximus is found shortly after tied up heading to a slave auction where he is later trained to become a Gladiator. Maximus eventually continues his journey to Rome, where he meets Commodus after a series of well-acted and amazing special effect filled fights in the Coliseum. The ending is very powerful and really engages the audience. To tell it in a review would not give it the credit it deserves as the acting itself makes it so captivating, not just the plotline.