From Amazon.com
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's
Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say,
Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero.
Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--
Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and
gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero!
--Mark Englehart
Amazon.com Essential Video
A big-budget summer epic with money to burn and a scale worthy of its golden Hollywood predecessors, Ridley Scott's
Gladiator is a rousing, grisly, action-packed epic that takes moviemaking back to the Roman Empire via computer-generated visual effects. While not as fluid as the computer work done for, say,
Titanic, it's an impressive achievement that will leave you marveling at the glory that was Rome, when you're not marveling at the glory that is Russell Crowe. Starring as the heroic general Maximus, Crowe firmly cements his star status both in terms of screen presence and acting chops, carrying the film on his decidedly non-computer-generated shoulders as he goes from brave general to wounded fugitive to stoic slave to gladiator hero.
Gladiator's plot is a whirlwind of faux-Shakespearean machinations of death, betrayal, power plays, and secret identities (with lots of faux-Shakespearean dialogue ladled on to keep the proceedings appropriately "classical"), but it's all briskly shot, edited, and paced with a contemporary sensibility. Even the action scenes, somewhat muted but graphic in terms of implied violence and liberal bloodletting, are shot with a veracity that brings to mind--believe it or not--
Saving Private Ryan, even if everyone is wearing a toga. As Crowe's nemesis, the evil emperor Commodus, Joaquin Phoenix chews scenery with authority, whether he's damning Maximus's popularity with the Roman mobs or lusting after his sister Lucilla (beautiful but distant Connie Nielsen); Oliver Reed, in his last role, hits the perfect notes of camp and
gravitas as the slave owner who rescues Maximus from death and turns him into a coliseum star. Director Scott's visual flair is abundantly in evidence, with breathtaking shots and beautiful (albeit digital) landscapes, but it's Crowe's star power that will keep you in thrall--he's a true gladiator, worthy of his legendary status. Hail the conquering hero!
--Mark Englehart
Amazon.ca
Grâce à la parfaite maîtrise du réalisateur Ridley Scott (
Blade Runner),
Gladiator réussit à renouveler le genre du cinéma épique, tout en s’inscrivant dans la grande tradition de
Spartacus, de Stanley Kubrick, et de
La Chute de l’empire romain, d’Anthony Mann.
Désigné pour succéder à l’empereur, le général des armées Maximus (Russell Crowe) est rapidement écarté du pouvoir par Commodus, le prince incapable et parricide (Joaquin Phœnix). Échappant de près à la mort, le paria Maximus est vendu comme esclave à un organisateur de spectacles de cirque (feu Oliver Reed, dans son dernier rôle au grand écran). Or à Rome comme à Hollywood, le divertissement est la seule règle qui mène le jeu et le public a toujours le dernier mot. Stratège autant que valeureux soldat, Maximus parviendra à gagner le cœur des Romains grâce à l’aide de la sœur du décadent Commodus (Connie Nielsen).
En Maximus, Russell Crowe personnifie un héros féroce mais juste à qui le spectateur peut s’identifier. Malgré les batailles sanglantes, les chars et les fauves, ce film possède une sobriété qui, loin de l’affaiblir, sert habilement son propos. Récipiendaire de cinq oscars, dont celui du meilleur film et du meilleur acteur, Gladiator est, en somme, un récit classique mettant en scène la lutte éternelle entre le bien et le mal. Une histoire virile, certes, dans laquelle une femme finit néanmoins par briller, non seulement par sa beauté mais aussi par son intelligence. À voir. --Hélène de Billy
