Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
Gladiator (collector's edition)
Warning!!! This might be biased, since Gladiator is my favorite movie of all time. It was the first time I've seen a movie set in ancient times where the costumes didn't look like they were taken from a toga scene in a bad college movie. The script, acting, and music work so well together, it sends the viewer along for an emotional roller coaster. It is one of those movies where you guys might have to tell your wives/girlfriends that you have an eyelash to get out of your eye. The battle scenes are amazing, a bit on the gory side, but is expected considering the subject matter. The casting director should be given a promotion for his/her work here. The special effects, concerning the recreation of ancient Rome in all of it's glory, are striking. I found the extras worth watching. It is the first time I actually sat down and watched a movie over again with just the commentary playing. Russell Crowe points out a few bloopers that are still in the movie, which I found interesting. If you watch the extras, you will be surprised by how hard it was to film the Proximo character, since Oliver Reed had passed away before filming was finished. 5 out of 5 and thumbs up to be sure!