Movie Review: Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator won 5 Academy Awards; Russell Crowe won the Oscar (Best Actor in a Leading Role) for playing the part the Roman General, Maximus, who became the hero because he went from being a general to a slave to a gladiator who ultimately got justice for his wife and child who were butchered at the orders of the Emperor. The Emperor Lucius who approved the murders was played by Joaquin Phoenix, another exceptional actor. The plan was for the general and his family to be killed. But it turns out that a seasoned battle-hardened sword-wielding soldier who just wants to go home to his wife and son, is not that easy to take down.

Mr. Crowe's performance was the best in his entire career. Yes he is a hunk. But to be truthful, Bill Sykes is the real reason I desired to see this movie. He was the slave trader who wisely advised Maximus to win the crowd so that he could win back his freedom. I speak of none other than Mr. Robert Oliver Reed (1938 – 1999) who, sadly, passed away during the making of this film. He endeared himself to me with his memorable portrayal of a thief named Bill Sykes in the musical Oliver! Went to the theater during Christmas school break with friends to watch the movie. Yes Oliver Reed/ Bill Sykes was a bad guy but Mr. Reed won my respect and admiration as a fine professional actor. I was his loyal fan from that day forward, so Gladiator was required viewing.

My favorite character? Djimon Hounsou as Juba – the African slave, who befriended Maximus (Crowe) when he had been wounded, but taken as a slave since he wasn't dead meat to give to the lions. When Juba and Maximus became friends, I bonded instantly with the two of them. It was very disappointing when the two of them didn't make it out of slavery together.

Joaquin Phoenix and Connie Nielsen, along with Spencer Treat Clark - they were Commodus and Lucilla, brother and sister, the son and daughter of Marcus Aurelius, and Lucius, Lucilla's young son – those three held their own. They were on par with Harris and Jacobi; and their acting deemed Oscar-worthy by my standards.

Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus) and Richard Harris (Emperor Marcus Aurelius) – veteran actors of the Shakespearean persuasion. No need to praise them. They could have done their roles with their eyes closed and never even look at the script.

Everyone in the movie – stars, co-stars, supporting cast, extras – everybody contributed to take you back to the days of the ancient Roman Empire when killing and blood-spilling was just for fun! The movie is more than 10 years old, so spoiler alerts are not necessary.

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So even though a comparison of history versus the movie script reveals a few minor discrepancies, Gladiator is still a goooood movie!

On a star scale of one to ten, 10 being the highest rating, this film gets 100 stars!!

And the soundtrack - Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard - "Now We Are Free" - gets 1000 stars!

It is most outstanding movie of the century!!!

With the most outstanding soundtrack of the millennium!!!

If you have seen the film, do you have a favorite quote?  This one is mine:

"Don't die. They will feed you to the lions.

They are worth more than us."

I thought it was the best line because it marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship. Isn't that what life is all about?