Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 4.0
Staggering, flawed film
Respect Ridley Scott for what he has done with Gladiator. In revisiting an ancient civilisation, he has essentially regenerated the 'sword and sandals' epics of the 50s (Ben Hur, Spartacus in the 60s). Gladiator is astounding. The first ten minutes of the film are possibly the most awe-inspiring in any film (barring Star Wars), and this stream of adrenaline pumping action continues throughout the film. And the Tigers rock. And that's the good bit of the film. The flawed aspect is the story itself, for although the idea of a vengeful Roman General fighting through gladiator 'school' and into the Colloseum is effective, and very cool, although not entirely original, it is when we are given this sub-plot of a secret Roman political conspiracy, and Maximus' role in disolving this conspiracy, that the film starts to slip a bit.The 'politics'of the screenplay detract from what we all want to see more of in this film-people getting chopped to bits. And that is what I think of the film. When it's good, it's the best action 'done in the old style' film in a long time, but when it starts to believe it has a well crafted, engaging story, it just becomes rather too Hollywood.