Revenge of the Gladiator

Rating: Null/10 (7 March 2003)

The "Gladiator", with the main character Maximus (Russell Crowe), is an intense film that keeps the viewer pleading for more throughout the entire movie. The movie is based upon Maximus striving for revenge against Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). It takes place in ancient Roman times when Caesar is above all others. The characters are very well portrayed in this film, though everything that happens revolves around Caesar, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). He is loved by all. However, Commodus, his power hungry son, is the one who puts Caesar to his end. The plot is very well written and is based upon revenge. Commodus destroys everyone and everything that Maximus cherishes most in life, and Maximus is not willing to let that go. He will stop at nothing to get his revenge on Commodus for hurting him so deeply; however, he must fight for his own life throughout the film. Maximus was picked up, while sleeping, by a man named Proximo (Oliver Reed) who runs a gladiator school and who was once a gladiator himself. This man runs the school for the entertainment business. Maximus is now considered a slave and must fight for survival. The setting of the movie is in ancient Rome. It fits the film perfectly because other than revenge, the movie is based upon Caesar and the glory of Rome. They show clips of ancient arenas that were basically there for entertainment, and they also held all of the gladiator matches there. The "Gladiator" is a very well produced movie. Though its basic thought is revenge, it shows how quickly a person's role in life could change back in that time period, and it shows how much power Caesar actually had. Maximus went from a general, to the Emperor of Rome, to a gladiator slave in a matter of days. It is a very intriguing movie with great effects and great acting. This film is definitely a movie that I would recommend for anyone to see.