Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 3.0
Good movie, but the extras on DVD outshine the film
Gladiator wants to be Ben-Hur, really. There's no denying that the costumes, sets, visual effects, and gore are spectacular, but that's where the glory ends. Russell Crowe is powerful and convincing in his role as Maximus, and Joaquin Phoenix is equally wonderful as the sniveling coward Commodus, but the talents of these men are nearly overshadowed by the film's incredible length.Many of the scenes involve, of course, the gladiator contests, and it is in these that we see Maximus' power as both a survivor and superior fighter. But in all honesty, about an hour into the movie, you feel as though you've been watching it much longer. The film moves slowly and never seems to gain any real momentum. You can fall asleep at many points in the movie, wake up, and be completely caught up in a few minutes, as I did. The slaughter of Maximus' family doesn't quite pull at your heart like I think the director wanted it to. I found myself more annoyed that Maximus wouldn't assume the power that Marcus was bequeathing him.That said, the extra DVD that accompanies the film is wonderful! There are interviews, behind-the-scenes trivia, and a section of clips that ended up on the cutting room floor. I really enjoyed watching the short segment on the costumes and special makeup required for the battle scenes. The extra DVD has all sorts of goodies that are a DVD-owners dream! If you're a big fan of the film and you own a DVD player, then this will be a great addition to your collection.The film is certainly worth seeing at least once for all of the special effects and Russell Crowe's amazing acting skills!