Gladiator DVD > Reviews

Advantages: Good action acting and direction
Disadvantages: Baddie with a face like a well smacked ...

...the film! I only recently saw Gladiator on video. All the reviews for the film that I read (am I emphasise “I” ) spewed out nothing but compliments about the film, although I am sure there are probably some bad ones out there somewhere. But being a bit of a sceptic I thought I’d wait and save myself a few pence and a lot of queuing. Something that I now deeply regret, as this is one of those epics, best viewed on the large screen. ... Read review

Advantages: good effects
Disadvantages: a bit too gory for some people

This film starts off quite weirdly, the first time that I saw it I didn’t know what the start of it was about. Then I realised that it was a large battle between the Romans and their enemy. It then goes to the roman base camp where you meet the main character, Maximus (Russell Crowe-Proof of Life), who is a general in the Roman army. The emperor of Rome, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) tells him, that when the emperor dies that he will take ... Read review

Advantages: Crowe, the action
Disadvantages: Predictable

...a slave who became a gladiator who dared to defy an emperor, certainly made it much more bankable, just as did the knowledge that this was the last hurrah for Oliver Reed, who died during the making of this epic. It's easy to see why it was so globally popular - it tells the story of a great Roman general, Maximus, who has devoted his life to serving the glory of Rome and his emperor, Marcus Aurelius, played by a pretty frail looking Richard Harris. ... Read review

Advantages: Great fast paced direction. Never slows. Superb fight scenes.
Disadvantages: Two and a half hours is long enough to add more plot, the credits are longer than the film.

...slavers and sold to a gladiator school. The owner of the school is Proximo, played by a truly terrifying Oliver Reed in his last role (he died on set). It was nice to see Ollie in a film big enough for his talent, instead of the dross he’s used to pay the bills over the past few years. Thence to Rome, where Maximus, having risen to the top of his profession in double quick time, is declared the peoples champion and gets to challenge the Emperor ... Read review

Advantages: Great film, extras
Disadvantages: none

...Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner), Gladiator is the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe) who is the general of the Roman Empire, one who controls the respect of the entire army and the people. After a huge battle in Germania, which starts this epic, Maximus is met by Emperor Marcus Aurelious who comes to congratulate Maximus and asks him to become Caesar when the time comes. All well and good, but the Emperor's son, Commodus (Joaquin ... Read review

Advantages: The best film of 2000
Disadvantages: Very few

Gladiator is a return to the Hollywood era of epics such as Spartacus and Ben Hur, the previous emperors of the arena contests, which must now abdicate their thrones as there is a new champion. The only film of recent years that comes close to achieving the same bloody realism of pre-gunpowder battles is Braveheart, a stunning film, which is also bested by the opening scene in this movie. The film is directed by Ridley Scott who, after recent ... Read review

Advantages: Absolutely Brilliant
Disadvantages: None at all

...got round to watching that Gladiator DVD his parents lovingly bought him at Christmas. Well, that was me on Tuesday night of this week, sorry I know its hard to forget about DVD's and I didn't forget them honest its just I never had the time. Anyway a quick background to the movie, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix & Connie Nielsen with added performances from the likes of the late great Oliver Reed and Derek ... Read review

Advantages: Cinematography, some great performances, very quotable lines, battle scenes superb.
Disadvantages: Joachin, those dream sequences...

...and Oliver Reed as the Gladiator trainer. The two hell-raisers seem in their element here: two venerable actors being given free reign to make what they want of fairly blandly-written characters. Much has been said of Reed’s swansong; all that needs saying, and all that I believe he would like said, is that he clearly relished the part, underplayed for the first time, and thoroughly enjoyed himself. As for Harris, all I can say is that it’s ... Read review

Advantages: Excellent, entertaining film
Disadvantages: None that I Can Think Of.

...we go any further, that Gladiator is my favourite film, bar NONE, so you may feel that this review is a bit biased! The film stars Russell Crowe as Maximus, the main character in the film. The film starts with a battle scene. Maximus is a General in the Roman Army who is very near to being allowed home. Caesar, Marcus Aurelius, (Played by Richard Harris) has something of a soft-spot for Maximus, and tells him that when he dies he would like HIM ... Read review

Advantages: Great set pieces, battles, vistas etc.
Disadvantages: Girls, get a grip! It's just Braveheart in Rome!

...his homework. Having said all that, Gladiator is indeed a marvellous way to kill a couple of hours. It truly impresses, from the flyover of ancient Rome to the gladiatorial contests; there are some stunning set pieces. Crowe is engaging and believable, a genuinely fine actor (LA Confidential etc,) and deserves his praise. But Oscar winning direction? The names sound like Life Of Brian. MAXIMUS was really the best they could come up with? I could ... Read review

Advantages: Great script, fantastic spectacle
Disadvantages: May be too gory for some and £25 is a bit steep

...of mouth, but I guess Gladiator is bigger than your average film. This super inflated DVD is living proof of that. It comes on two discs. Disc one contains the feature and Directors commentary; disc two features a plethora of extras (including the kitchen sink). The film itself harks back to the great epics of the fifties and early sixties, owing a great deal in particular to that other great gladiator epic, Spartacus, though you don't get Russell ... Read review

Advantages: -
Disadvantages: -

...fighting impressive battles in the gladiator arena works himself up until he is fighting in the collosium. The famous arena in rome where the new emporor is holding games. Maximus and the emperors sister join forces to somehow get rid of the emporor who is ruling to suit himself not the people. Maximus is becoming amazingly popular amongst the people of rome meaning that the emperor doesn't want to kill him off. What does Maximus do to get rid ... Read review