REVIEW: Gladiator
Released in 2000, Ridley Scott’s masterpiece is set in ancient Rome and follows a general who falls out of favour and ends up fighting in the great Colosseum as a gladiator, battling for his pride, honour, and revenge. The thrilling journey of redemption spearheaded by Russell Crowe in a star-making role as Maximus Decimus Meridius is considered one of the greatest films of all time and with a long-delayed sequel on the way, it is time to give Gladiator another watch and see its appeal for the grimdark audience.
Ridley Scott opens the film setting the high standards with both a visual and auditory spectacle as with a battle against Germanic tribes and a directing masterclass with the large-scale action sequences. The direction brings you into combat and it feels raw and visceral. Russell Crowe produces a career best performance with his portrayal of the fallen warrior turned slave and eventual gladiator allowing him to showcase his range as he fights against those who have turned on him and vows revenge against Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix proving early on just how great of an actor he would be before further brilliance in films such as Joker and You Were Never Really Here). A good revenge tale with a hero with nothing more to lose is an easy sell but with great writing and a cast giving their all, Gladiator rises to levels of greatness that make it an instant classic. The writing in swords and sandals epics can sometimes be a let-down but Gladiator is a film that knows when to keep things short and sweet and when to play the epic card – “On my signal, unleash hell.” and “Brothers, what we do in life, echoes in eternity.” are two lines in the opening scene alone that made me want to get off my seat and dive into battle alongside Maximus. He is a general who you can believe inspires warriors to face their death with a smile on their faces and adds to the grounded realism and brutality of the epic story and makes you eager for him to get his revenge when he does fall. His quiet determination and unyielding resolve – “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. And I will have my vengeance, in this life, or the next” is incredibly powerful and works perfectly alongside Phoenix’s jealous, chilling portrayal of a man obsessed with power who is deeply insecure and a tyrannical ruler. Every scene they share is full of tension and feels as though things may explode at any given moment.
The action in Gladiator still holds to this day. Both the large-scale battles and intimate gladiatorial combat are choreographed to perfection and developed in ways to make the audience truly care about who lives and who dies. It all feels real with consequences shown for every mistake or misstep and that goes for those in the highest seat to those staring up at the world above them. Death comes for all and Gladiator is a film that truly encapsulates that. The reliance on practical effects has meant that the film has aged well and it will be interested to compare the sequel when it arrives. The story is full of political intrigue and the tale of revenge is timeless, driven by the great performance of Crowe and masterful direction of Scott. The tale of a weary Maximus driven by revenge even reminded me of great recent literary grimdark warriors such as Logen Ninefingers and Monza Murcatto from Joe Abercrombie’s First Law world and had me salivating at the potential for such tales to arrive on screens with the right people involved.
Gladiator is a timeless classic. This film is truly one that echoes throughout eternity and is one of the greatest action films ever made with a cast full of career-best efforts and a story that has inspired the direction and action of many since (Game of Thrones, Those About to Die, Spartacus to name a few). With a sequel on the way, now is the time to give the Maximus Decimus Meridius another watch – press play, and unleash hell!
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