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Gladiator
(2000),
Director: Ridley Scott, rated R for graphic, combat
violence
A Hero Will Rise.
  Starring:
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed,
Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, David Schofield,
Tomas Arana
DML Rating:
★★★★★★★★★☆
- near perfect
"Father to a murdered son,
husband to a murdered wife. And I will have my vengeance,
in
this life or the next." - Maximus
Why watch this?
It's an award-winning film featuring Russell Crowe at his manly
best.
Plot Summary:
Maximus is a respected Roman general who is betrayed and cast
into slavery when the power-hungry Commodus seizes the throne.
Maximus is forced to become a gladiator and fight for his life,
but his determination to avenge his family and the former
emperor fuels his rise through the ranks of the arena. His
journey becomes intertwined with a quest for justice against the
corrupt Commodus and the hope of restoring honor and freedom to
Rome.
Dad's Preview: Not
since the epic
Spartacus
(1960) has a film captured the life of a gladiator with such
brutal elegance. Russell Crowe is excellent as Maximus, as are
the other gladiators. That said, I must confess that I found Phoenix's portrayal of Commodus
very tiring. And because of that, I enjoyed the film's
ending immensely!
Universal
Pictures, Scott Free Productions, Red Wagon Ent.;
DreamWorks
Dist.
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