“Gladiator” makes a respectable bid at being the Roman version of “Braveheart.” Unfortunately it comes up a bit short. This is a very large movie, and it’ll, no doubt, be very popular; but it’s just a notch off. It does deliver a little of the stand-tall-and-pump-out-your-chest bravado you enjoy from the successes of a brave and likeable hero, but not enough to carry you out of the movie cheering. For one, the film’s just a little too long; but mainly, the ending is just a little too ridiculous.
Russell Crowe makes a fine Maximus. A former general whose popularity and success once brought him an offer to rule Rome. Now, after the murder of the old emperor, these same traits earn him a death sentence from the jealous, new Emperor, Commodus. Like “Braveheart,” Max, of course, heroically escapes death; but his loved ones do not. Heartbroken, he is captured as a slave and eventually becomes an unrecognized gladiator. The rest of the movie consists of many heart pumping, blood spurting, head rolling feats of glory, as he battles his way back for vengeance.
Max is suitably awe-inspiring as the rock star-like gladiator, and Commodus is perfectly villianous and easy to hate with his whiney, pathetic, and incestuous ways. All this should inevitably lead to a huge, crowd-rousing finale; but instead, we’re expected to buy a ludicrous death-match between the seething, battle-hardened gladiator and the snot-nosed Emperor. In addition, it all sits on a backdrop that is largely computer generated. The grand scenes of ancient Rome look like painted scenery, and the battles, while exciting, are choppy and void of life.
But, go ahead and see it. Everyone else is going to, and you’ll only be slightly disappointed it was only as good as it is.
By Mike Barkacs
4 / 5 Stars
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Ridley Scott
