Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
Excellent!
I'm not normally a fan of Hollywood movies, but"Gladiator" is not the norm. Although there were severalcircumstances in this film, which I sincerely doubt would ever havehappened in true roman times (ie. the emperor (joaquin phoenix)fighting maximus (russell crowe) in the colliseum and the suddenchange of heart within the praetorian guard), this film truly deservesfive stars. Crowe gives a splendid performance as the fearlesssoldier, merciful and uncorrupted and yet unfailingly worldly.Despite the violence, which Crowe's character displays, his love forhis family, his humour in the face of death and his profoundphilosophy is truly memorable. Moreover, Phoenix plays such aconvincing villain that he forever more will be ingrained in my memoryas a "drip." In addition, the musical score for this filmpossesses a certain irony as it swells into epic song in the mostgruesome parts. Best of all is the ending. Although it was fairlyobvious that Maximus would fulfill the former emperor's legacy, theway the film turned out was a pleasant surprise....Parts of this filmwere surreal and others were brutally "real," for lack ofbetter definition. As it is, this film is one that I plan onpurchasing for my permanent collection.