Excessively impressed half a year lately!

Rating: 10/10 (11 August 2001)

Its extremly rare that one watches a movie that grabs your attention so much that over half a year later it is what you consider to be the best film you have seen recently. Gladiator certainly has had this effect on me! Where so many other films which, at the time of viewing I considered to be really stand-out have faded in impact over the march of time, Gladiator soldiers on.
In all departments Gladiator is one of the undeniable best. Its casting is perfect. Russell Crowe as 'Maximus' is a sight to behold. Having read the screenplay, the concept of his battlefield prowess and presence which is allured to is instantly recognisable on the screen. One see's Maximus as a man of honour, integrity, dignity and courage. By contrast Jouqain Phoneix as 'Commudus' epitomises a classic villain. Yet he rises above this and plays his character with such conviction one starts to believe he really exists. I gauge this by the fact that in seeing films in years to come with Phoenix, I will regard him still as not that character but Commudus. Connie Nielsen is also excellent in her role as 'Lucilla'. Richard Harris and the late Oliver Reed also support skillfully.
Cast aside, the two areas that impressed me above all in Gladiator were the score and the visuals. Ridley Scott is truly an awesome director and Hans Zimmer in my opinion beyond even John Williams. The seamless, and I do mean seamless, transitions between CGI and conventional film is a sight to behold. As I watched the film on the big screen, the sight of Rome and the Colleseum was awe-inspiring. It is extraordinarily immersive. Zimmers score with vocals by Lisa Gerrard is close to perfect amd easily his most accomplished yet. It is stirring at the right moments and sensetive when the mood dictates it. EVERYONE SHOULD OWN A COPY OF THE SCORE!!!
If one had to pick a weak point, I would have to opt for the script, which although brilliant was probably the least polished of the componets. However what really makes Gladiator stand head and shoulders above the rest is the manner in which it is epic, enthralling and exciting. It's a Hollywood blockbuster that manages to succesfully negotiate all the pitfalls that that conventionally entails. I highly recommend it!