Gladiator (2000)

3 out of 4

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris

Director: Ridley Scott

Time: 154 mins

The first Hollywood "sword and sandal" epic in a long while, since the genre's heyday in the 50s and 60s (with the likes of Quo Vadis, Ben Hur, and Spartacus), Gladiator is quite a good film but, ultimately, a little disappointing. Having heard of all the positive vibes surrounding the film over the last few weeks (and, for once, due to its simultaneous Australian release with North America, the acclaim wasn't just coming from the USA and Canada), I was expecting a thunderous, rip-roaring story laced with betrayal, revenge and some incredible action sequences. To be sure, it is not as bad as previous mega-hyped movies like Batman (1989), Independence Day (1996) and Godzilla (1998), but it is not as kinetic as I had hoped, with many long, passive moments between the action. The betrayal/revenge theme is also not as powerful as the one in Ben Hur, where Judah Ben Hur was betrayed by his childhood best friend (shades of King Arthur/Lancelot). Still, with the classic tragedy plot, and some very good acting, the film is a couple of notches above average.

The film opens in the middle of a battle between the Romans and the barbarian hordes of Germania. Following a victorious campaign under the leadership of General Maximus (Crowe), the ailing Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Harris) reveals his plans to install Maximus as guardian until Rome becomes a republic with a Senate to rule. The Emperor's weak but ambitious son, Commodus, plots to remove Maximus from the scene and become Emperor on his father's death. Maximus is captured and sold as a slave to Proximo, a former gladiator who sees potential, and profits, in Maximus and his fellow slaves, including Juba (Amistad's Hounsou).

Back in Rome, Commodus declares a series of games in the Colisseum, in the hopes of winning his people's favour, while under the watchful eye of the Senate and his sister Lucilla (Nielsen). Soon Proximo hears of the games and brings his troop of gladiators to Rome. When Maximus defeats a group of warriors on chariots, his identity is revealed to the Emperor, who almost orders his execution. But with the crowd on Maximus' side, Commodus reluctantly listens to his people and allows the former general to live. Meanwhile, Maximus plots to overthrow Rome and kill Commodus with the help of Lucilla and Senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi).

As expected in a film named Gladiator, the fighting is appropriately ferocious, but these scenes number only a handful and are sometimes edited in a way that's hard to follow or get into. Judicious editing can create excitement, but sometimes it pays to focus on the combatants, too. The best sequence involves the chariots, with the thunder of the horses' hooves and the twang of arrows sizzling across the screen. The opening battle between the barbarians and the Roman soldiers is also a highlight, with all the blood expected from a setpiece reeking with Braveheart-style intensity. (It's interesting to note that Braveheart seems to have started a style of its own - namely the vicious mediaeval-or-earlier-period battle that involves hundreds of people, lots of blood and a few lopped heads - witness the recent The 13th Warrior for something similar.) As the film progressed, a spectacular climax involving thousands of Roman soldiers was promised, but never eventuates. Overall, the fighting only contains a few intermittent thrills, but is visceral enough to keep your attention.

As Maximus, Russell Crowe gives a great performance. Loyal, and a great leader of soldiers, all he wants to do after vanquishing the Germanic hordes is to go home to his wife and child, but is drawn into a bloody power struggle by Commodus. His pain and anguish when he discovers the extent of his betrayal is convincing and powerful. Joaquin Phoenix also gives a very good turn as the weak, vain, and ambitious Commodus, who can never quite sway the will of his people. When he learns of a betrayal within his own family, his own pain is almost palpable. The late Oliver Reed, in his final performance, is excellent as Proximo, as is British veteran Harris in his small but pivotal role as Marcus Aurelius.

Ridley Scott is a very visual director, as can be seen in his earlier work like Alien and Blade Runner. Here he employs a palette that's almost devoid of green, and engages a high contrast level that makes every scene dark. Even the scenes in daylight seem dark. Shades of blue, or yellow-orange, also seem to permeate alternate sequences. The use of computer generated imagery is evident in the depiction of Rome, its assemblies of people, and the huge Colisseum. While it doesn't overwhelm the film in the way Star Wars: The Phantom Menace was overwhelmed, the appearance of these images still screamed "Digital!" and detracts slightly from the experience. Of course, films like Gladiator and Titanic would probably not be made today without the use of CGI, and for that I am grateful.

Gladiator is the second big film (after U-571) trying to "get in" before the competition (from the likes of Mission: Impossible 2) starts heating up for North American summer movie dollars. The story is good, the action is adequate, and the acting great. However, this throwback to the legendary epics of the 50s and 60s is slow-moving in parts (it is over 150 minutes in length) and doesn't quite generate the power needed to make it a great film. All in all, good, but not a classic.

(c) Joe Wong (4 May 2000)