Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 2.0
Uninvolving, Overlong, Lacks cohesive plot structure
"Gladiator" the much hyped, Oscar nominated flick was ninety five percent lame in this reviewer's opinion. This seemingly endless film gets two stars only for the presence of the late great Oliver Reed (who has played much better roles), and decent costumes and fighting sequences.Gladiator tries to be a Ben-Hur or a Spartacus but instead succeeds in being only boring and laughable.Comodorus's character was particularly inane, and it is impossible to believe that all those soldiers couldn't bring down Maximus-great soldier or not.The film's plot, if you can call it that, is totally uninvolving. I found myself completely uninterested in the plight of Maximus, and the killing of Maximus's son and wife was just predictable and lame.I kept checking my watch to see how many more interminable minutes were left. Avoid at all costs, if entertainment is your aim. If you enjoy plotless films with lots of fighting and strange incest subplots by all means pick it up.