Review of Gladiator (2000) by Omar K — 17 Jul 2015

â??My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions and loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aureliius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next.â??

General-turned-gladiator Russell Croweâ??s powerfully operatic speech pretty much encapsulates the tangible intensity and pertinence the film emanates and is what makes it perhaps the most accomplished historical epic of the century so far. An ode to the sword-and-sandal epics of the 1960s, Gladiator carried cinema into a new century but for its audience transported them back to the one that had just ended. Dealing with an array of aspects of Roman history including gladiators, generals and emperors, this entertaining investigation into the misdemeanours of unbefitting supremacy and its effect on one man and his patient desire to avenge the ruler who wronged him, makes for an all-consuming motion picture. Who better to helm a film of such profound proportions in history than the man from Newcastle, Ridley Scott. His filmography includes films like Alien and Blade Runner, so to direct Gladiator could be considered easy work, but by no means is Gladiator a simple film. It is a film of epic proportions transporting us through a barrage of emotional distress, physical endeavours, educational theatre and most importantly a sense of poignant uplift during moments of intense sorrow. Gladiator brought cinema into a new century with a classic of the ages!

The two protagonists of Gladiator deliver performances of such a magnitude that the film transcends its level of plausibility and becomes a colossal spectacle. Russell Crowe portrays the protagonist Maximus, the Roman general betrayed by the emperorâ??s ambitious son who reduces him to a life of slavery after the cold-blooded murder of his family. Legions away from his enemy and wallowing in grief, he gets a chance to rise through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena and gain revenge. Crowe truly places his soul into such a powerfully defeated man that the outcome of his acting delivers a mesmerising performance where what goes on in the inside of his character is more fathomable than what his exterior tells us. It is an acting feat when you can become the character and tell us so much about every facet of his personality as if he had been actually living a life. Around this time, Crowe was an actor in-demand and his performance as the gladiator exemplifies why. Joaquin Phoenixâ??s performance as the antagonist of the movie, Commodus, provides an equally, if not more, effective character. Phoenixâ??s Commodus is pure evil as he goes to extreme lengths to become the paramount emperor Rome has ever had; even murdering his own father to seize his throne. His malevolent ways heighten as the film progresses: from murder, to attempted incest and essentially incessant treason. Phoenix makes you physically hate not only his character but also everything Phoenix embodies unfortunately. This is testament to Phoenix who, like Crowe, put all his abilities into creating the other half of Gladiatorâ??s success.

Visually, Gladiatorâ??s recreation of the heart of the ancient city of Rome using extensive CGI to complete shots were as magnificent as they would have been when erected. The beautiful recreation of Romeâ??s main attraction, the Coliseum, to a fully established theatre in all its glory is undoubtedly the closest sight you will ever have of the realest thing. The accuracy of the visuals is unquestionable, but the film isnâ??t the best educational tool to use as some stories are changed or created to suit cinematic understanding. Nevertheless, the fact that this film generated what is called the â??Gladiator Effectâ?? demonstrates its effectiveness at generating interest of authentic Roman history. Gladiator pumped into the audience an increased fascination of Roman history and to be honest it still does. The term â??gladiatorâ?? is synonymous with this filmâ??s barbaric sport-like entertainment and the fact that it is in a place that still stands, the Coliseum, makes it all the more affecting because it deals with a 2,000 year-old story that incorporates places and features that still are with us today.

The score of Gladiator is perhaps one of the best ever to be released not only for the fact that it seamlessly blends into the atmosphere of the film so beautifully but also because it has endured in the hearts of the audience. Whenever someone watches the film, their mini review of how they enjoyed the film often involves the ethereal soundtrack. The scoreâ??s such high demand in the film-music world is particularly indebted to singer Enyaâ??s vocals most prominently in the song â??Now We Are Free.â?? The heavenly-like vocals provide a sense of meaning to the imposingly majestic instrumentals. The collection of songs were provided by composers Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard and boy did they have a vision with this soundtrack as its divine-sounding elements have endured the film as a whole.

At the 73rd Academy Awards, Gladiator was nominated twelve times, winning five, including Best Picture. It is regarded as the best of its year and the first film to win it this century. It also won Best Actor for Crowe, Visual Effects, Costume Design and Sound Mixing demonstrating its efficiency across the board. Gladiator not only provided magnificent entertainment on screen, but it also catalysed the worldâ??s interest in one of the greatest empires to have existed stressing its importance not just as a film. It only took the 21st century less than a year to provide the world with a true cinematic classic, as it was not just a form of entertainmentâ?¦ it actually meant something.

Gladiator is perhaps one of the greatest historical epics of modern times, as it has everything a cinematic spectacle requiresâ?¦ and more!

â??â??â??â??â??â??â??â??â??â?? 10/10.