"'Gladiator' Storms the Colosseum"
by Scott Mantz

"Gladiator"
Russell Crowe,
Joaquin Phoenix
Directed by Ridley Scott

Toga! Toga! Toga! Russell Crowe slays 'em in "Gladiator"

Considering the lack of original material floating around Hollywood these days, it's no surprise that the studios have turned their attention to revisiting certain long-dormant film genres. Steven Spielberg revitalized the World War II epic with 1998's ultra-realistic "Saving Private Ryan". Despite it's gruesome depiction of the famous D-Day invasion, it still went on to gross over $175 million at the box office and snag Spielberg his second Best Director Oscar of the decade. It's not even two years later, and Spielberg's DreamWorks Pictures, as well as financing partner Universal Studios, have decided to raise another long-dead film genre from the ashes--the gladiator epic. It's been almost 35 years since the last "swords-and-sandals" flick graced the big screen, and if "Gladiator" is any indication, there will be plenty more to come. Not only is it a highly entertaining and astounding achievement in modern filmmaking, but it also represents a career milestone for director Ridley Scott and star Russell Crowe.

General Maximus (Russell Crowe) and his Roman army have emerged victorious in the latest battle to expand the Empire. Instead of basking in the glory, he yearns to return home to the wife and child he hasn't seen in almost three years. Ailing Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris) wants Maximus to succeed him after he dies, but his lazy and unstable son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) refuses to let that happen. In a fit of rage and jealousy, Commodus kills Aurelius to become the new Emperor, and he orders the execution of Maximus and his family. Maximus escapes, but he is captured and taken into slavery by Proximo (Oliver Reed), who trains him to fight in the arena as a gladiator. Maximus' combat training serves him well, and his growing popularity leads him back to Rome, where he faces the Emperor who destroyed his life.

In many ways, "Gladiator" bears a striking resemblance to "Saving Private Ryan". Both films were produced (or at least co-produced) by DreamWorks Pictures. Both films contain opening battle sequences that are so gruesome, realistic, and exciting that they practically redefine their genre. "Gladiator's" General Maximus and "Saving Private Ryan's" Captain Miller are both bound by honor and duty to fight for their country, even though they would much rather be kicking back at home with their wife and kids.

Where the similarities to "Ryan" are much more subtle, the similarities to the 1964 epic "The Fall of the Roman Empire" are much more obvious--right down to the names of some of the main characters and the climactic fight scenes that end each film. In "Empire", Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Alec Guiness) chooses Flavius (Steven Boyd) to succeed him rather than his own loose canon of a son, Commodus (Christopher Plummer). Sound familiar? In addition, Flavius has a romantic interest in Lucilla (Sophia Loren), the Emperor's beautiful daughter. There's no doubt that this template, which is actually based on true events, was used as the basis for "Gladiator", but as far as execution is concerned, the films couldn't be any more different.

"Gladiator" represents a true return to form for director Ridley Scott. Not only is it his finest film since "Blade Runner", but it could turn out to be his most successful film as well. There's no doubt that his movies have a certain distinct and poetic visual style, but that pretentious approach can be overbearing at times. For every success like "Thelma and Louise", there were box office failures like "1492: The Conquest of Paradise." Considering all of the obstacles Scott had to overcome to film this $103 million epic (the elaborate battle scenes, the live tigers getting too close for comfort, and the premature death of Oliver Reed before he was finished filming his scenes), he miraculously hits a home run with the bases loaded.

Russell Crowe is clearly an actor on the rise. It was just a few years ago that he earned critical kudos for his role as a gruff cop in "LA Confidential", which he followed up by packing on almost 40 pounds to play tobacco whistle-blower Jeffrey Wigand in "The Insider". That role earned him his first Oscar nomination. Now he goes from the internally implosive performance of "The Insider" to the externally explosive performance of "Gladiator". His transformation is so impressive considering he had just a few months to beef himself up for the part. What's also impressive is how effortlessly he commands the screen. He may be a loyal, skilled, and victorious military leader, but he just wants to go home to be with his family. When that's taken away from him, you can feel his pain as he redefines himself to avenge his losses.

The rest of the cast is also impressive, with Joaquin Phoenix almost stealing the show as the psychopathic and unstable Commodus. He is devastated by his father's neglect, and his pent up rage and sadistically perverse behavior makes him the type of villain that you love to hate. Connie Nielsen also puts in a fine performance as Lucilla, Commodus brother who was romantically involved with Maximus a long time ago. The real tragedy is that Oliver Reed will not be around to bask in the glory of his role as Proximo, the slave trader who develops an almost paternal relationship with Maximus. His last few scenes had to be digitally altered to add him in, but overall it's a powerful and passionate performance.

Let's not forget the thrills. "Gladiator" may be a risky venture on a lot of levels, but in the end it represents all that's good and fun about summertime movies. The blood and gore may be too much for the kids, but then again, so is wrestling, and the film's best scenes play like one over-the-top wrestling match. As for the big gamble that was taken by the filmmakers to re-introduce this type of picture to a whole new audience, "Gladiator" hits the jackpot.

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