REVIEW: Gladiator (Released in 2000) [20th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: Ridley Scott

PRODUCERS: Douglas Wick & David Franzoni & Branko Lustig

WRITERS: David Franzoni & John Logan & William Nicholson

PERFORMERS: Russell Crowe Joaquin Phoenix Connie Nielsen Oliver Wood Derek Jacoby

Djimon Hounsou Spencer Treat Clark and Richard Harris

*Winner of 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture of the Year!*

This was a film that surprised many people, even myself. The fact this was released twenty years ago blows my mind and to be honest, hard to believe because this is also an Oscar winning picture! This may indeed be the first of that nature in my anniversary series! Having just watched the film these are the main things I saw, upon that I remembered just how epic this film really was. Gladiator in all it's might is a superb film of the early 2000s because of it's setting, style and symbolism of Determination, Leadership and being Merciful.

"What we do in life... Echoes for Eternity" - Maximus (RUSSELL CROWE)

The story may be fictional, but is based on historical facts and it's premise is rich in every aspect of it's telling. It's actually "Ben-Hur (1959)" meets "Rocky (1976)" as our main hero Maximus (CROWE) struggles and fights for his rights as a free man whose only desire is to be reunited with his wife and only child. But they are murdered upon arrival after escaping execution from a corrupt would-be emperor played by Joaquin Phoenix. Maximus is sold into slavery where he is trained to be a gladiator by his trader Proximo (OLIVER REED, in his final role), only to rise to the top by defying the very one who stole all he loved from him. In a way it's like when Job had his blessings stripped from him and then regained to him despite trials and tribulations following his unquestionable love and devotion for God. But when you make a story like this and set it in the Roman time period where slaves were put in gladiator games for entertainment you get nothing but a real sense of what the Roman Empire was like and how far one man would go to regain his robbed dignity (2 CORINTHIANS 4:16-18).

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. - 1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27 NIV

The performances of the film were absolutely phenomenal, Crowe of course gets all the credit as he practically won an award for his part 20 years ago, but it's the believability of his performance that stands out the most. I can partially see why he won but at the same time, not really see an Oscar worthy performance for some reason. I think if anyone deserved an Oscar from that film, it should have been Phoenix for his portrayal as the villain of the film. One moment in the film that stood out to me was the scene where he asks his sister (played by Connie Nielsen) whether or not he was worthy of her love and to such a degree, that he just HAD to scream his question to her. That alone is Oscar worthy right there and who knew the man would not only be nominated but also win for a later role he would play as, in my mind, the greatest supervillain ever in a different way no one expected. I saw many moments in the film that made me think of mercifulness: The scene I just described on why I preferred Phoenix's portrayal than Crowe's and when the Maximus character prefers mercy on his enemies over death on them (LUKE 6:36). Then there's Oliver Reed who played Proximo, a former gladiator turned slave trader and Maximus' only ticket to freedom. Man was he good on his part, but sadly did not live to see nor complete his part as he died during production. The last scene he was in, I recall feeling tingly because he was giving his life for one's freedom. Then thinking... 'he did all he could do'. Djimon Hounsou gives an outstanding performance as well as a fellow gladiator slave who not shows mercy, but practices it which leads to his friendship with Maximus. And you wonder where he got the newfound attitude from during their time together. The chemistry is right there and 100% proof of why it's so crucial to performance!

One thing besides the acting that's worth the attention is the settings and time period this takes place in. In ancient times, the Romans were a high ranking empire that that had so much power and control over the world, that they could do anything. Gladiator games held at an arena were back then, a very big deal. You almost feel like you're taken back to a time when there was no law to rely on but your strength and honor were the only things that could get you through the tough times no matter what. Even in those days nothing seemed impossible to those who believed in victory over defeat. You even thought that you were looking at a real live roman arena where anything goes, no rules, no penalties, no regulations or borders or control, just you and your wits against your adversaries and their weapons. The Direction of Ridley Scott really navigates the journey of the characters and the film's grip on you. He takes on this wild ride that doesn't let up nor stop from start to finish. From 'Alien' to 'Blade Runner' his films have always left a lasting impression on us because of the settings and timings they bring. The Music by Hans Zimmer is also epic, I still have that song from the film that plays in the end stuck in my head. It's the themes of the film in fact that stand out and let's not forget, they play a crucial part in every film as the thing that elevates the film's story, mood and characters. Everyone has a theme to be portrayed by let alone defined by in the world of movies.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. - 2 TIMOTHY 4:7-8 NIV

In Conclusion, the significance of this film heavily relies on the scripture above because it sums up the film in the end. Heartbreaking as it is to see Maximus die, it is also satisfying to see him get his wish: going home to be with his family, and although it's in the afterlife, you still feel he's at home where he belongs. Like the way Job regained all that he lost, Maximus was able to do the same for himself, unlike Job in the end, it cost him his life. This film is truly epic and in every way, worth your time of 2 hours and 30 minutes (or 2 hours and 45 minutes in extended version time). If you're into period films or historical dramas then this is for you!!! This was what led to the director and star partnership between Scott and Crowe as they would go on to do several other films together over the years. We all have a goal we want to see happen, whether it's sports, working our way up the corporate ladder, financial wealth or earning a trophy, etc. This movie shows what it means to get to that point or earn that prize, in the end we gain something bigger than ourselves. That's what this scripture above showed me and I encourage anyone with the strength, honor and the will to go after them and pursue them 'in this life or in the next' Happy 20th Anniversary to Ridley Scott's award winning film!!!! #filmsof2000 #Gladiator20thanniversary #academyawardwinner #2000filmreview #dreamworks #universalpictures #anniversaryedition