Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 3.0
Spectacle - but don't we want more than that?
I like the movie. It has stars in it in the old fashionedsense of the word. Mr Crowe only seems to get better. JoachimPhoenix was a revelation - but the Devil always hasthe best tunes. I don't think I can remember Richard Harrisbeing better since "The Field". Connie Nielsen is so beautiful.But the great acting comes from the late Oliver Reed. The moviewas a fitting last movie for him.The movie looks great - it is literally (how I hate that word),....spectacular.But so were the games themselves - pure spectacle. And I amafraid that I want something more than simple visual thrills( even though you get those in spades ).The movie is weakened as soon as Maximus reveals his identity toCommodus - which happens way too soon. Then the movie becomescompletely incredible from that point. Because all the Emperorwould have done on learning his old enemy was still alive ishave him killed. No one would have questioned that. He wasEmperor. He had the Praetorian Guards. No one would havepublicly questioned the poisoning of a lowly gladiator.But of course, that would not make for such an enjoyable filmicexperience.