Three Outta Four Stars!
Dreamworks is setting the stage to take over as the dominant
film studio in Hollywood. In March they captured their first
Best Picture Award withAmerican Beauty and now they are
back withGladiator.This film is all about strength and
honor.
How to utilize your strength to obtain honor and how to utilize
your honor in maintaing your strength. For Russell Crowe’s
character, Maximus, these two traits are what he forces upon
his soldiers, his politic and above all, his enemies.
When famed Roman General Maximus has won another glorious
battle, it is only right that Rome award him a more grand award.
All he really wants is to leave the battlefield and go home, but
other players have different plans for the war hero. As the story
plays out, he has to prove his metal if he is to ever make it home.
Which proves to be much more difficult than he would have ever imagined.
Russell Crowe – Crowe definitely makes his mark in this epic.
While physically he didn’t command the screen like Schwarzeneggar or
Michael Clarke Duncan, he certainly played the role with solid
acting and he fought well, with very viscous attentiveness
to his enemies.
Djimon Hounsou – This young man’s star will be shining brighter
as soon as we are allowed to see him play someone other than a
warrior. In Amistad, he was fierce and in Gladiator, he
his brutal. Djimon has a certain softness about his delivery that
makes him likeable and interesting to watch. Being Crowe’s
sidekick takes away from his star level, but he is formidable.
Joaquin Phoenix – “Mister, you are dealing with Toby N. Tucker.”
That was his infamous line from U-Turn when he played a
deranged boyfriend. I thought he was funny as hell. In Gladiator,
he was excellent and provides a standout performance. Sly,
cunning and equally as creepy, his character Commodus is wicked.
