Review of Gladiator (1992) by Danbotterill — 07 Oct 2014
Scott immediately and successfully portrays the brutal conquest of the Roman Empire. We feel immersed in the film’s narrative as we relate to Maximus’s burning ambition to leave the Legion and return home to his family.
When the Roman Emperor, Commodus, orders the death of his family he becomes so fueled by anger he loses any interesting aspects he may have developed later in the film, yet despite the lack of depth in this two dimensional character, Best Actor winner Russell Crowe delivers an outstanding performance modest enough not to outshine the other cast members.
He becomes enslaved and forced to fight as a gladiator to stay alive. However, the loss of his family is not a valid enough reason for the loss of his personality yet we embrace him as the protagonist, the hero, the gladiator who will fight for Rome and its people.
This review of Gladiator (1992) was written by Danbotterill on 07 Oct 2014.
Gladiator has generally received positive reviews.
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