Gladiator is packed full of action and suspense

Rating: 10/10 (30 June 2014)

Gladiator is a film that portrays a notorious general, Maximus Decimus Meridius (played by Russell Crowe), from ancient Rome that is betrayed by a jealous Prince, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix). The Emperor, Marcus Aurelius (played by Richard Harris), of Rome is on his last leg of life and has decided to announce Maximus as his successor. When Commodus finds out that the new Emperor isn't going to be him Commodus decides to kill his father so he is named Emperor by default. On the day of Marcus's death, Maximus is ambushed and ordered to be executed from the orders of Commodus. Maximus finds a way to escape execution and immediately goes home to try and protect his family. He finds his family dead by being burnt alive and hung to display. Maximus now is set to revenge Marcus's and his family deaths.
Throughout the movie, Maximus finds himself closer and closer to getting that revenge. He has to battle in the arenas and survive using his top of the line combat skills. Multiple scenes bring you up and close and personal to the combat. You see swift sward fighting and gruesome deaths. These scenes remind me of the movie "Braveheart" in terms of the actual battling. You see swords, bow and arrows, and spears being used to attach and defend individuals. All battle scenes give you a good feel on how good Maximus really is in terms of being a fighter.
Once Maximus reaches the Coliseum, he has support from fans and his fellow colleagues. So in the first battle in the Coliseum, he creates a mini army in the ring and defeats the ones who were suppose to win. Once the battle is over, Maximus now has the support of the so- called mob. During this time whoever has the mob on their side has the power. Commodus finds out that Maximus is still alive and is the one winning all the support from the viewers. This irritates Commodus and becomes even more jealous of him. Commodus jealously and Maximus victorious battles are good for the film because it reassures the personal battles have for one another and strengthens the theme of the film.
The colors and lighting of the film give you a sense of darkness up until the final battle. You have Maximus and Commodus in the middle of a white sand ring and Commodus is wearing white. This brightens the mood of the film because finally Maximus has his chance to kill Commodus. During a 3-minute battle between Commodus and Maximus, Maximus prevails and kills off Commodus. This part of film you are relieved because the Maximus finally accomplishes what was right. Maximus's wood prior to battle is just enough to have him die at the end but not before Commodus. So Maximus accomplishes not only revenge the death of Marcus but then being reunited with his family in the after life. The film makes you become a fan of Maximus and a hater of Commodus throughout. Its full of suspense and action and I would recommend it to anyone.