Gladiator (Extended Cut)
2/4
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris
The version being reviewed is unrated. For the record, the original version is rated R for Intense, Graphic Combat
"Gladiator" is one of those movies that everyone seems to like but me (although neither Roger Ebert nor my local film critic liked it either). It's only fair, I suppose, since there are plenty of movies that I like that everyone else hated. The line between an emotional epic, like "Braveheart," and one that misses the mark, like "Pompeii," is pretty thin. So I guess I'm not surprised that it worked for a lot of people. I will, however, say that the decision to award it the Best Picture Oscar is an embarrassment (my vote went to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," although any of the films that year was more deserving than this).
The premise is great for a larger-than-life spectacle: as the villain, Commodus (Phoenix), puts it, "The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor." Unfortunately, the movie just doesn't come together very well.
Maximus (Crowe) is a Roman general who is beloved by his men and the emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Harris). Aurelius knows that he is dying, so he asks Maximus to be his successor. Maximus is looking forward to the peaceful life, but he and Aurelius know that choosing his son Commodus would be a disaster for the Roman Empire. As Maximus is pondering his options, Aurelius breaks the news to his son. As you might expect, Commodus does not take it well and kills his father. After he refuses loyalty to him, Commodus has Maximus and his family killed. But Maximus escapes, and ends up becoming a gladiator for Proximo (Reed, who died during filming). The Roman Senate, led by Gracchus (Jacobi), knows that Commodus must be removed from power by any means possible, but the Games he is throwing in honor of his father make him popular with the people. They see an opportunity when Maximus realizes the potential for being a popular gladiator, and they begin machinations to bring Commodus down.
This could be an absolutely epic movie, but unfortunately it's a misfire. The script is embarrassingly bad and Ridley Scott pulls out all the stops in order to generate the grand emotions from the audience. The manipulation is so obvious and the storytelling is so mechanical that it's impossible to get sucked into the story.
When I say the script is bad, I mean it's really bad. Character development is nil; the characters are stick figures, and it's only the performances that breathe life into them. The plot moves in such a herky-jerky fashion that it feels like a car with a dead battery. And there are the obligatory metaphors and profundities that are meant to appease the critics, but offer nothing in subtext. They're senseless and waste time.
The acting is good, considering what they have to work with. Russell Crowe does what he can to make Maximus a hero we can get behind. He's actually pretty successful despite the fact that some of his dialogue is unintentionally funny. The role of Lucilla is within Connie Nielsen's very limited range; she's actually pretty good. Joaqin Phoenix isn't as successful; Commodus is worthy of our dislike, but he's not a very compelling villain. Part of the reason is how the character is written, but Phoenix isn't blameless. He plays Commodus as a cross between a egotisical celebrity and a spoiled brat. He's more annoying than vicious. Derek Jacobi looks bored; he's in "take the money and run" mode, but like all the great British actors, that's still acceptable. Oliver Reed, whose death during filming forced the production to use stunt doubles and CGI, is good, but wasted. Djimon Hounsou has even less to do (I kept thinking of "Not Another Teen Movie," which skewered the archetype that he plays), which is a pity, considering his considerable range and talent.
Ridley Scott is a director who defines the term "inconsistent." Some of his movies have been amazing, like "Alien," "Black Hawk Down," and "Body of Lies." Others, such as "Kingdom of Heaven," "American Gangster," and "Hannibal," have been less than impressive. There's a lot going on here, but due in part to jittery editing and directorial manipulation that defines "over-the-top," "Gladiator" neither raises the pulse or the emotions. It's not quite stillborn (the machinations to bring about Commodus's downfall are interesting and somewhat suspenseful), but Scott can't make all the elements gel appropriately.
Despite all its problems, "Gladiator" remains watchable, and the special effects are impressive (especially on Blu Ray). Pity about the story.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris
The version being reviewed is unrated. For the record, the original version is rated R for Intense, Graphic Combat
"Gladiator" is one of those movies that everyone seems to like but me (although neither Roger Ebert nor my local film critic liked it either). It's only fair, I suppose, since there are plenty of movies that I like that everyone else hated. The line between an emotional epic, like "Braveheart," and one that misses the mark, like "Pompeii," is pretty thin. So I guess I'm not surprised that it worked for a lot of people. I will, however, say that the decision to award it the Best Picture Oscar is an embarrassment (my vote went to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon," although any of the films that year was more deserving than this).
The premise is great for a larger-than-life spectacle: as the villain, Commodus (Phoenix), puts it, "The general who became a slave. The slave who became a gladiator. The gladiator who defied an emperor." Unfortunately, the movie just doesn't come together very well.
Maximus (Crowe) is a Roman general who is beloved by his men and the emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Harris). Aurelius knows that he is dying, so he asks Maximus to be his successor. Maximus is looking forward to the peaceful life, but he and Aurelius know that choosing his son Commodus would be a disaster for the Roman Empire. As Maximus is pondering his options, Aurelius breaks the news to his son. As you might expect, Commodus does not take it well and kills his father. After he refuses loyalty to him, Commodus has Maximus and his family killed. But Maximus escapes, and ends up becoming a gladiator for Proximo (Reed, who died during filming). The Roman Senate, led by Gracchus (Jacobi), knows that Commodus must be removed from power by any means possible, but the Games he is throwing in honor of his father make him popular with the people. They see an opportunity when Maximus realizes the potential for being a popular gladiator, and they begin machinations to bring Commodus down.
This could be an absolutely epic movie, but unfortunately it's a misfire. The script is embarrassingly bad and Ridley Scott pulls out all the stops in order to generate the grand emotions from the audience. The manipulation is so obvious and the storytelling is so mechanical that it's impossible to get sucked into the story.
When I say the script is bad, I mean it's really bad. Character development is nil; the characters are stick figures, and it's only the performances that breathe life into them. The plot moves in such a herky-jerky fashion that it feels like a car with a dead battery. And there are the obligatory metaphors and profundities that are meant to appease the critics, but offer nothing in subtext. They're senseless and waste time.
The acting is good, considering what they have to work with. Russell Crowe does what he can to make Maximus a hero we can get behind. He's actually pretty successful despite the fact that some of his dialogue is unintentionally funny. The role of Lucilla is within Connie Nielsen's very limited range; she's actually pretty good. Joaqin Phoenix isn't as successful; Commodus is worthy of our dislike, but he's not a very compelling villain. Part of the reason is how the character is written, but Phoenix isn't blameless. He plays Commodus as a cross between a egotisical celebrity and a spoiled brat. He's more annoying than vicious. Derek Jacobi looks bored; he's in "take the money and run" mode, but like all the great British actors, that's still acceptable. Oliver Reed, whose death during filming forced the production to use stunt doubles and CGI, is good, but wasted. Djimon Hounsou has even less to do (I kept thinking of "Not Another Teen Movie," which skewered the archetype that he plays), which is a pity, considering his considerable range and talent.
Ridley Scott is a director who defines the term "inconsistent." Some of his movies have been amazing, like "Alien," "Black Hawk Down," and "Body of Lies." Others, such as "Kingdom of Heaven," "American Gangster," and "Hannibal," have been less than impressive. There's a lot going on here, but due in part to jittery editing and directorial manipulation that defines "over-the-top," "Gladiator" neither raises the pulse or the emotions. It's not quite stillborn (the machinations to bring about Commodus's downfall are interesting and somewhat suspenseful), but Scott can't make all the elements gel appropriately.
Despite all its problems, "Gladiator" remains watchable, and the special effects are impressive (especially on Blu Ray). Pity about the story.
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