24 years after director Ridley Scott brought us the groundbreaking epic, his sequel just recently got released and it asks, are we still entertained? That's the question I answered when I decided to rewatch the first movie in preparation.
In Rome, 180 AD, General Maximus Decimus Meridius (Played by Russell Crowe) plans to go back home to his wife and son after winning against the Germanic tribes in battle and earning the respect by the emperor to succeed in his place. A tragedy happens (which I don't want to get into too much detail) where he ends up becoming captured and forced to become a gladiator in a series of deadly combat games ran by the ruthless Commodus (Played by Joaquin Phoenix) and must not only give the people what they want in the games but also pursue his own quest for revenge.
Now here's some backstory. This was definitely a landmark for Ridley Scott since it brought back the epic historical genre that was groundbreaking in classics that I've heard such as Ben-Hur (1959), The Ten Commandments (1956) and others that showcased the scope of filmmaking with large sets, high production designs, ancient period settings, costumes, etc. This not only brought it back but also paved the way for similar movies such as Troy (2004), 300 (2007), Kingdom of Heaven (2005) and The Last Duel (2021) in terms of armies fighting in war, journey of a main hero leading the army and, in some cases, betrayal. I haven't seen it since I was a kid, so I figured I'd check it out in time for the new one. I must say, this still holds up for me as one of my all-time favorites.
Pros:
The cast were all fantastic. Russell Crowe gives what I consider my favorite performance of his where he is very stoic, charismatic, intense, and you really feel for Maximus as he strives hard for his freedom and his journey in the games, and he goes through hell in this as we see a lot of the stakes getting higher and higher for him. Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus is also fantastic in this as well. He's brutal, maniacal, and there's also nuance to him where even though he gets enjoyment out of giving the people of Rome what they want for the games, he has moments where it's like he doesn't want to do certain things that involve death, but he doesn't want to make himself look weak as an Emperor. Djimon Hounsou, Connie Nielsen and the late Oliver Reed are also great supporting characters in this too as they root for Maximus to succeed, and it was sad that this was Oliver Reed's last role that he did before he passed. He was outstanding in this and from what I heard, they used some CGI in certain scenes since he passed away before the film was finished.
The story I thought was really gripping, intense and emotional as not only was I engaged to see where the journey goes but it does get quite emotional at times that raises the stakes and makes the payoff in the climax work extremely well on a triumphant note and hits me really hard.
The epic battle scenes, especially in the colosseum are all brutal, well-made and choreographed as Scott showcases some creative ways how the games change up all the time with not only groups fighting but also have tigers as well. The cinematography is well lit too especially having that sepia-tone look that makes me think of the golden age of movies where they were made in that style as this also came out the same year as O' Brother Where Art Thou? in that the color-grading had changed in Hollywood by the time the year 2000 came around.
The music by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard is iconic in every way. It not only gets me really hyped with the action that goes down with the orchestral composition, but also the emotional scenes that have that choir type of sound that really brings almost tears to my eyes.
Cons:
I really don't have many cons for this one as it's one of my all-time favorite movies.
Overall, this still holds up as a masterpiece and it left quite a huge legacy for bringing back the epic genre and it also adds even more layers that I didn't pick up on plot points with characters until now since I've seen the sequel, but that's a review for another day.
Final Grade:
What did you think about Gladiator? Let me know in the comments below and I'll see you on my next review.
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