"Non Sheeplike" Gladiator review

Rating: Null/10 (31 May 2000)

Erm, where to start....a flawed Masterpiece? A "slightly" overhyped yet enjoyable romp?
Got to admit, it WASN'T as enjoyable as I was expecting. Dont get me wrong, you aint saw anything like it before...its just that underneath all the flashy visuals and Ridley Scot's direction (which was in places AWESOME and in others pedestrian) and Russell Crowe (who was awesome as Maximus)
THE SCRIPT WAS WEAK.
It was TOO simple a story, not challenging at all. I had expected a "Shakespearian" type of story with plots sub plots etc but it was a bit too simplistic. It was a bit shallow, as though the script was written by committee.
Want to know the worst thing about it? THE MUSIC...it really was bad in my opinion
It was done by Hans Zimmer (The Rock, Crimson Tide)and you know what, it sounded pretty much the same as that. Imagine a mostly electronic score the same as the rock and you get the picture. Suitable for a Roman Epic...I dont think so...
No wonder they used the music from Conan the Barbarian (Poledouris) for the Trailer.....much more appropriate.
How could someone like Ridley Scott give the job to Zimmer???
The film was eye-popping in places and at least twice I went "F***s sake.." when I saw something new.
SUMMARY...???
Brilliant but seriously flawed.
Braveheart was a better movie overall, and Gladiator WAS influenced by it (I am surprised no-one else picked up on that)
In parts Gladiator WAS better than Saving Private Ryan (The opening scene is simply incredible)but for me overall the bad points dragged it down a bit.
16/20 "Could have been a masterpiece but isn't"