Gladiator

A general who became a slave.

A slave who became a gladiator.

A gladiator who defied an emperor.

"Gladiator" is one of my favourite movie all the time.
Everytime I watch this movie, again and again, I never get bored....

The story is great.
You can always feel the excitement when you are watching a revenge movie.
The character, Maximus is develop well.
How he falls, and rise again, but then, a great death conclude the story beautifully.

Russell Crowe won the Academy Award by playing Maximus.
His performance is indeed very stunning and absolutely top-class.

Credit to the director, Ridley Scott,
a master who know how to shoot visually unique image,
a talented story-teller who know how to make good use of classical music.

Hans Zimmer once again mentioned in my blog,
indeed he is a great music composer.
The sountrack is spectacular.

Ridley Scott often use strong female portrayal.
Lucilla is not a major character, but definitely a tough one.

For a year 2000 film, the CGI used by Ridley Scott is acceptable.
Obviously, the CGI is clearly seen in the movie,
but the visual effect is still considered good.
Massive setting of Germania battle, Ancient Rome, Colosseum and crowd are all well-done.

A very strong relationship linkage between Maximus and the Emperor, Commodus (played by Joaquin Phoenix).
Commodus want to kill Maximus, because he hate Maximus.

It is not because his father chose Maximus to rule the empire,
but because his father love Maximus.

Firstime they met in Colosseum, Maximus turn his back to Commodus.
Commodus get insulted and wants Maximus to die.
But the crowds want Maximus to live.

Commodus wants to win the crowds, that's why,
in the end, he let Maximus live, because the crowd ask for it.

Secondtime, Commodus arranged a game that is unfair for Maximus, but still Maximus survive.
Commodus tried everything to kill Maximus, but Maximus just simply wont die.

When Maximus request for permission to kill his opponent in the arena,
Commodus granted him, because the crowds ask for it. (again)

But Maximus didnt kill his opponent,
then the crowds called him Maximus the Merciful.

Commodus get even frustrated.
Maximus won the crowd, and that's why he won his freedom.

Thirdtime, Commodus stabbed Maximus before the game.
But still, Maximus able to silent the arena by paying back his revenge, and died with honour.

These are my favourite scenes in "Gladiator".
Every action sequence advanced the plot and develop the characters.

I think only those people who watched this movie will understand what I'm talking about.
Because it's all about Ridley Scott's story-telling technique.

Anyway, another unmemorable scenes that captured my attention is....

1. The Roman Senator admitted that Roman Empire is a mob.
2. Marcus Aurelius wants Roman Empire back to Republic.

Is that true???
frankly, I don't really know.

But, the most important thing is, this movie is amazing.
A must watch movie, a highly recommend movie, a great movie!!!