Brilliant action sequences, variable philosophising

Rating: Null/10 (21 December 2000)

[There is a spoiler in this review for the first few minutes of the film...]
Ridley Scott has made some brilliant action films in his time, including the stunning Alien series and Blade Runner, possibly the most lauded sci-fi pic ever made (at least until The Matrix came along...) In Gladiator, he turns his talents to ancient Rome, and tells the story of Maximus Decimus Meridius, Rome's most respected general who suddenly finds himself an enemy of the state when he refuses to pledge loyalty to the new Caesar, Commodus (well played by Joaquim Phoenix). His family slaughtered and his status destroyed, he is captured as a slave and sold to a gladiator trader...
Russell Crowe is the lynchpin in this film - his performance captures the complex loyalty and nobility of the ancient Roman soldier perfectly, while his exceptional poise and good looks ensure that he is the focus of attention throughout the film. He is particularly good when at his fieriest, as when he reveals himself to Commodus in front of the crowds at the Coliseum. His performance is the thing which holds this film together and makes sense of some of its less believable moments.
He is well supported by the rest of the cast, in particular Connie Nielsen and Joaquim Phoenix. The action sequences are also stunning, although I lost some of the impact they might have had because I saw the film on video. This is really a big-screen epic and should be enjoyed that way for maximum effect. The stadium sequences are the best bits and there are plenty of them - keep your eyes covered if you are squeamish...
So what's missing? Basically the film is at its best when it gets on with being what it is - a mighty fine action movie set in ancient Rome. It disappoints slightly when it tries to be more: some of the dialogue is too Hollywood by half and undermines any serious point the film is trying to make. Furthermore, the characters' relationships are not explored in enough depth to allow the film's philosophising to work, and I personally was relieved when it moved on to the action sequences, which really are riveting. The worst thing of all is that the film is about 25 minutes too long, so that the dramatic tension which would make the film work as a whole is lost because the film is too slow at points.
That said, Gladiator is a really entertaining film and well worth watching, in particular to watch the mighty Russell Crowe mature into the fully-fledged superstar he was born to be. He has already proved his acting credentials in LA Confidential and shown the depth of his talent in The Insider - in Gladiator he steps up to the plate and relishes the hero role in magnificent style. It is also nice to see someone trying to recreate the epic genre, and although Scott's film is not perfect, it makes a decent fist of a difficult style. 7 out of 10.