GLADIATOR

Ridley Scott has had his ups and downs in his career as a Hollywood film director; hitting the highs with the sci-fi classics "Alien" and "Blade Runner", and also the lows with such films as "Legend" and "1492: The Conquest of Paradise" and mediocre successes such as "Black Rain" and "Someone To Watch Over Me". However, it wasn't until "Gladiator" where he forever put to bed any questions about his reputation as a serious filmmaker and it's not hard to see why. This film dared to revive the old Roman epic of yesteryear and managed to do it with some glorious visuals, intriguing drama and characters, and a grand scope. Scott has been on the record as saying he enjoys making films that let him create an 'entire world'. With this film he gets to do just that, rendering Ancient Rome in all its glory and the sheer brutality that underscored their otherwise civilised society. "Gladiator" is a big-scale Hollywood epic that will immerse you in its world and take you back to another time and place. "Gladiator" begins by introducing our main hero, Maximus (played with stand-out authority by Russell Crowe), a Roman General who leads the troops of Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) in a big battle to conquer Germania. The savages put up a fight but they are no match for the brutal professionalism of the Roman army. After the battle, the Emperor confides in Maximus that he wants to hand over power to him after he dies, and that his first act should be to make Rome a Republic again. The Emperor's son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) doesn't like this at all, and in a jealous rage murders his father and assumes control of the Empire. Maximus shuns Commodus and as a result is sentenced to death. Maximus manages to escape his execution but ends up in the slave trade, eventually becoming a Gladiator who fights for his master, Proximo (Oliver Reed). It's not long before Maximus finds himself in the Colosseum and in a spate of games for the Emperor, Maximus sees his opportunity to exact revenge on Commodus by turning the Roman people against him before eventually killing him in a duel in the main arena. The story for "Gladiator" isn't particularly new; it's central character is out to exact revenge, but it's set against the life and times of the Roman empire. The story isn't unique, and there are a few moments where you feel the filmmakers could have worked on the script a bit more. However, where this film really shines is in the broad-sweeping visuals, strong characterisations and the big spectacle of it all. This film is a feast for the eyes; everything is rendered in spectacular detail, with the re-creation of Ancient Rome being the standout. One tilting shot revealing the Colosseum in the background and then coming down to reveal the thousands of people in the street is nothing short of breathtaking. The games held in the Colosseum account for all the major set-pieces (save the opening battle) in the film and they are spectacular. One particularly good sequence involves a retired Gladiator who battles Maximus while having to fend off a couple of tigers. The composition of the shots in this sequence are quite beautiful, and visually represents what Scott is trying to impart about Rome; the picture is beautiful but what's going on within it is brutal and nasty. Maximus' first fight in the Colosseum with his team is also excellent, especially as it ends with Maximus frustrating Commodus when the crowd votes to keep him alive. Ridley Scott assembled a stellar cast for this Roman epic. Russell Crowe leads the way in a commanding performance as Maximus. Everything gravitates around him and he carries the film with aplomb. The supporting cast is equally impressive. Joaquin Phoenix delivers a slimy, nasty little character in Commodus who does a lot of bad things only because he feels everyone is slighting or overlooking him. Oliver Reed is excellent as Maximus' slave master Proximo, who was

once a slave himself. Richard Harris is perfect as Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius and Connie Nielsen is great as his daughter. Perhaps one observation in relation to these performances that struck me as odd was that they were all speaking with proper English accents. I know that was supposed to infuse the piece with a sense of sophistication but seeing Romans speak with English accents is a little odd. It's only a minor criticism as for the most part you don't notice while you're being swept up in the epic nature of this very big film. "Gladiator" is a big, sweeping old-style Hollywood epic updated with today's modern visual effects; it's a visual and artistic triumph and will take you back to the world of Ancient Rome, even if it's story isn't particularly inventive or unique.