Haven't we seen it already Or a bad case of deja-vu

Rating: 6/10 (22 May 2000)

I have to join the people who are disappointed by this movie. Yes, it's entertaining. Yes, it has some beautifully designed scenes. Yes, my wife was in tears at the end (which is seldom) - so it obviously touches some strings of one's soul. That's good enough. But... the Gladiator is full of cliches (pardon my French). Watching the movie I was constantly comparing it to other films. During the opening battle scene my wife whispered to me - "Well, it's Private Ryan set in ancient Rome". Yes, it is. Same jerky camera movements, same gore. The plot is almost scene to scene copy of Braveheart with overall atmosphere of Spartacus. We see the hero going through the field and touching grass tops - hell, I've seen this in dozens of Soviet movies about collective farms. Gladiators' cubicles are just like a modern prison - do you remember the episode when Maximus and his fellows come to the Colliseum for the first time dressed in blue (denim?!) outfits? Haven't you seen this in many movies like "Lock Up" or "Tango and Cash"? It's indeed a terrible mix of many previously seen movies.
But what disappoints most is the final - as pathetic as the ones from the Soviet Stalin era pictures. Though it is a common feature of most Hollywood products. Being an European I can not understand the love of American directors to endings that leave nothing to one's imagination. The Evil is punished, the Good wins. Well, maybe I'm asking for too much from dream factory (grin). But the problem stays. These endings spoil even the best movies like "Saving Private Ryan". Watching it I was praying "Good Lord, do not let this old Ryan salute Miller's grave". God did not listen to my prayer (another grin). Well, maybe its a punishment for my sins. Nevertheless the "Gladiator" is worth watching - for its sometimes really stunning visual effects, for very good performances of Russel Crowe and Oliver Reed. I've been really missing a good historic (even if pseudo-historic) movie about ancient Rome or Greece. Maybe I was expecting too much.
-six out of ten-