Movie Review: Gladiator

Story: It's about massacres, battles, patricide, philospher-kings, honor, loyalty, betrayal, revenge, a hero, a villain, a beauty and did I say revenge? British director Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma and Louise) splendidly entertains us, given the limitations of the script. There is plenty of action (some worthy of much wincing), a hero that carries the film, a villain who is deliciously (even if sometimes campy) evil and a computer generated 2nd century Rome that is a marvel to behold. This epic could have easily fallen into a kitschy zone (for instance, everybody's name reminded me of the name of a contemporary model car - Maximus, Proximo, Lucilla, Aurelius and Commodus) but it is totally satisfying (though quite exhausting to sit through) and definitely worth the price of admission. If this is a precursor of the summer's movie fare we are indeed in for a cool summer. Go - enjoy and do battle!

Acting: I am officially now addicted to Russell Crowe. He is elevated to the Nick Nolte status for moi. I have been following his career since I first saw him in 1991's Proof and who can forget LA Confidential and The Insider? He broods, he's intelligent, he slowly seethes, he is very good looking and fascinating to watch. He carries the entire film. Joaquin Phoenix (AKA Leaf Phoenix, River's brother and has two other siblings named Rain and Summer - seen in To Die For, U-Turn, Return to Paradise and Clay Pigeons) is at first barely recognizable. He has bulked up and sort of grown up and is delightful as the evil, with a capital E, Commodus. Oliver Reed (most of the Musketeer films, Oliver and many other wonderful roles) died during the filming and there is a dedication to him in the credits (I was the only one to stay and read the credits). I also read that his head was digitalized on someone else's body after his death to finish the film. Of course I was fixated on this and think I spotted that digitalized trick. The always wonderful Sir Derek Jacobi was very much at home in his I, Claudius toga. Some of you might also know him from the PBS series, Cadfael, the medieval detective Monk. Richard Harris was wonderfully brief and understated for a change. Connie Nielson (Devil's Advocate, Rushmore) was the only woman in the film and held her own. Giorgio Cantarini, the adorable kid in Life is Beautiful has a cameo as the Gladiator's son. I recognized his teeth and smile. A supporting cast of a bazillion extras added to the epic's wonder.

Pets: You name it, they were in it....dogs, horses, camels, tigers, monkeys, livestock and a cobra.

Visual Art: A beautiful film with some very stylish (though somewhat commercial) big panoramas.

Soundtrack: A bit sappy at times.

Theater Audience: 22 guys and me. I guess they were all gladiator wannabes although the largest popcorns and beverages they were downing would not seem appropriate gladiator food. By the way, have you noticed when guys go to the movies they sit with one seat separating them? No comment.

Quirky Meter: 3

Tissue Usage: Some welling.

Oscar Worthy: Russell Crowe is Oscar worthy for sure. Excellent editing as well.

Length: 30 minutes over the 2 hour rule. Should have been shorter.

LOBO HOWLS: 8.75