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Quint provides AICN's last review of GLADIATOR... at least until the inevitable great DVD that we'll all purchase!
Hey folks, Harry here. Now for some odd reason, the crusty seaman known as Quint has gone and decided to tell you that he's about the age of 18, meaning basically that he wasn't alive when STAR WARS came out, and being the youngster in the pack... well... Let's put it this way. When I first met Quint, he had never seen EVIL DEAD 2, and MUMMY movie ever... He had never seen an Epic other than TEN COMMANDMENTS and... well he had holes in his film education the likes of which you wouldn't believe. About 3 years later, the boy has grown. I'd gladly put him up against any film geek his age. He leaves my house with 5 tapes in his hands, he just took a job at a video store... where he is studying. I give Quint a lot of guff from time to time, but I know of noone with as honest and purity of love towards film that this boy has. He is a sponge, a film consumer ever searching for his all-you-can-eat-buffet. He watches... EVERYTHING, and has a desire to seek out that which he has yet to see. He also loves to get jazzed for a movie. On this particular night, Quint had that... dazed sort of... "How full of shit is Harry?" look in his eye. In a fairly disgusting display of girth, we were forced in this packed house to share adjoining seats. I teased that I would tickle him throughout the film, but the reality is... when Gladiator plays... church is in session. You shall honor the screen. Just as you will now honor... Ah fuck that, Yo... Quint... Rave on!
Ahoy fellow geeks, Constant Readers... ladies and gentlemen. This is where
I'd usually say, "Everybody's favorite crusty ol' seaman here once again."
Not today. Today I say, "Everybody's favorite crusty young seaman here once
again." I know it's not that big of a deal, but I'm gonna publicly announce
that I am a young guy. I started writing for Harry over two years ago when I
was 16 going on 17.
Every time somebody asked my age, I'd kinda avoid it. I found with some
people the fact that I was so young all of a sudden rendered my opinion of a
film null and void. Some of you guys (and gals) don't care, which is great.
All I wanted was to be accepted the way Harry (late 20s) was accepted. The
way Father Geek was accepted. The way Moriarty was accepted. Jesus... that
reads like a line from a bad Meryl Streep movie, but you know what I mean.
Why this sudden urge to tell all? Well, I wanted to write a review for
Gladiator, but I realized how much coverage it had already gotten on this
site. I'd be damned if I didn't get my word in on this film, but I needed
something to set my review apart from the others. I can't weave words as well
as Moriarty, I can't come up with wacky, way out there shit like Harry can
(at least at the rate that he does), so I was pretty much down to writing it
from the point of view of guy in his late teens. Harry had the 20s down,
Moriarty had the god knows how old review down... I hadn't seen one review
from somebody in their teens.
Anyway, on to the actual review! To start off: my expectations were so very
high for this film. I mean I've had to listen to Harry rub the coolness of
this film in my face for the last 2 months. Every single time we met up
(which was often) at a movie, at a gathering of some sort, I was always told
how much I sucked for not seeing Gladiator. Father Geek was a little kinder,
but would often play along with Harry in his taunts.
After two months of build up I finally saw the film. I ended up having to sit
in the seat next to Harry (not the most comfortable seat in the house,
considering out combined bulk) with promises of tickling, poking and prodding
all through the movie. I was in for it and I knew it.
Goddamn. I mean Goddamn! Even with all that my jaw was still on the floor,
stuck in a puddle of 2 day old soda, for most of the movie. I was and still
am in awe of this film. I don't remember the drive home. In the days that
followed the screening I still couldn't stop thinking about the movie.
Since Gladiator has been and will continue to be compared to Braveheart, I
have to say that I like it a lot more. Now I do love Braveheart, but
Gladiator has it beat. Maybe it's just because I'm more fascinated by the
Roman civilization or like the characters or even like the story lines that
connect the gory battles together more. I don't know for sure. I love Mel
Gibson, especially in Braveheart, but Russell Crowe... everybody has already
said it, so I don't need to. Just know that the sold out crowd at the
screening I went to was chanting Maximus... Maximus! "My name is Gladiator."
Absolutely badass!
Oliver Reed! I hate the fact that he's gone, but I love it that his final
performance is a career best. He is just plainly amazing as Proximo. He's
intense, funny, sympathetic, tragic and just plain old badass all at the same
time.
Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus. I remember seeing this guy as the robot friendly
Max in Space Camp... under the name Leif Phoenix and around the age of 12 if
I'm not mistaken. He has the role of the young King, the villain of the film.
If he wasn't convincing in his actions, his emotions and his humanity in the
film, the segments that didn't feature Crowe would have fallen apart, leaving
a broken movie. But he succeeded marvelously. A great well-rounded villain.
You hate him, but you also sympathize with him.
One of the surprises for me in terms of acting came from the youngest member
of the cast, a kid by the name of Spencer Treat Clark who plays Commodus'
nephew Lucious. You might remember him from Arlington Road. Anyway, he turns
in quite a quality performance in the little screen time he has.
The battles are epic in scope, beautiful, but incredibly disturbing at the
same time. The gladiator duels are classic. Each one topping the previous in
the nailbiting, pulse pounding suspense. My favorite being the battle between
Crowe and the undefeated gladiator.
Gladiator is the first great film of the 21st Century. I will see it again on
Wednesday and will post in talkback how well the film holds up. I believe it
will be just as glorious as the first time around.
So, there you have it. From a teenager. From a film buff. From just another
guy. However you want to take it. Or not. And on that note, my fellow geeks
and constant readers, I bid you farewell.... and adieu.
-Quint
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All are joking aside, that was a great review....and very noble of you to reveal your virginity...oops I mean age...to give a new perspective on the review. I'm seeing it tomorrow and can't wait. BTW you'll love working at a video store...fun as hell...as long as it's an independent.
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Quint, nice review. You're a good example for us "kid" film geeks. Keep up the good work. Gladiator is gonna rock at the box office so much it'll more than make up for how long it took for Blade Runner to be noticed by the mainstream. Go Ridley Scott!
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Just wondering...can anyone comment on the historical accuracy of this film? I mean, is there any account of a General Maximus being named successor to the Emperor over the Emperor's own son?
Anyone?
Bueler?
Bueler? -
i've already seen this film and i'm itching to see it again when it opens this friday. to read MY review, go to http://msnhomepages.talkcity.com/twentiescir/wumper/gladiator.html
comments are appreciated!
harry should've been on ebert the other night. it was totally worthless without him. correction: ebert is totally worthless. -
There, I said it. I just hope I don't sit next to one of you pent-up fuckers on Friday, with your talking and whispering and going, "Oh! oh! This next part is awesome!". If all you people who've already seen it, want to make everyone in the audience enjoy it, don't tell us when something cool happens, because then it loses its intensity! Ok, ok, I'm being too hard on a buncha guys/gals I don't know out there. But I'm just pleading with you all so that I can enjoy this movie on a grand scale when my weary eyes are gazed upon this hyped-up supposed masterpiece.
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May 02, 2000 2:19:51 AM CDT
"Gladiator" doesn't seem like "Braveheart" to me at all.
by cereal killer
I liked "Braveheart" but didn't love it and I haven't seen "Gladiator" yet but they don't seem that similar to me. Of course on the surface they're both about one man fighting against a tyrant and they're both ultraviolent. "Gladiator" looks more majestic to me though. The fighting in "Braveheart" mostly takes place in fields and green hills. There's no Colloseum and no less of a sense of entering another world. From what we've heard "Gladiator" seems to harken back to movies like "Spartacus" and "Ben Hur." I can't wait. It sounds like they did everything right.
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NM Movie man says hell yeah for you being a cool as hell "younger" Film geek like myself and im sure a bunch of younger folk here on this talkback!!!!, lets do this for the younger geeks 19 and under, (im 17) WE SHALL ALL RISE FROM OUR PARENTS BASEMENT AND STEP INTO THE LIGHT AND RIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, FUCK YEAH LETS RIOT!!!!, LETS HARASS THE CHEERLEADERS FOR NOT GIVING US ANY PLAY JUST CAUSE WERE FAT AND VIRGINS AND CAUSE WE READ COMIC BOOKS, WE NEED TO STAND TOGETHER!!!!!!!!!, Damnit im all alone, and im gonna get jumped..........speak for yourselves im getting head right now!, hmmmm if only i could see my penis! I soiled myself..................Im going back to the schoolyard to have that crush on big tittie linda, naw maybe ill take Denise the piece, im off topic, great review quint, stay young! NMMM Outtie!
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Sorry about being a nit-pick asshole, but it is big-tittied MARY JANE that you saw on the schoolyard. I should know, I did her. Anyway, Gladiator looks to be Scott's best film in over a decade, and I get to see it tomorrow. That is if the print get's here in time for me to preview it. Sorry the message is a bit scrambled, but I am soooooooo excited, and I just can't hide it, to get a hold of the "Pee Wee's Big Adventure," "Galexy Quest," and "Being John Malcovich" DVDs today.
To wrap this message in a nice neat package, and bring it back around to "Magnolia" again: The new Amiee Mann CD comes out in retail stores tomorrow, so go get it. The disc is wonderful. -
at the block at orange. damn fine movie! russell crowe was excellent in the film (well, everyone was!). people keep saying that this will be russell crowe's breakout film and that he will achieve super-stardom. well.. he won't, and i can explain why in two words: joaquin phoenix. the dude steals the show. it's definitely *his* breakout film; he'll finally step out from behind his brother's shadow.
SPOILER: fave scene was the recreation of the battle of carthage in the arena (first gladiator battle). very fast-paced, bloody and awesome. i have never, EVER been so tense and excited during an action movie. this very scene made me realize how much sense gladiator battles made. -
As far as I know it's entirely fictional. HOWEVER the idea of an emperor appointing a non-hereditary successor isn't as outlandish as it might seem: Marcus Aurelius was himself appointed in that way by Antoninus Pius, who was appointed by Hadrian, who was appointed by Trajan, who was appointed by Nerva (don't think I missed anyone). It was the way they did it then and a pretty good system too, putting the empire in the hands of a capable ruler who might otherwise try to take it anyway. It was when the hereditary principle returned with Commodus, closely followed by the return of mad/incompetent/underage emperors and consequent violent power struggles that the rot really set in. But I digress.
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I didn't expect that nice of an intro, or the receptive talkback. Of course, it's still early.
Just wanted to say that Harry was right in his intro. on just about everything except Evil Dead 2. That's one I had seen, but at that point hadn't been introduced to any of the Universal Monster Movies or even Casablanca. I'm better now. Rented 3 movies tonight from the work place. Guns of Navarone, Force 10 From Navarone (I heard it blows, but it has Robert Shaw in it) and Boys from Brazil. Can't wait to see 'em.
-Quint -
I saw Gladiator last week, and I can't help but be surprised by the positive reviews. Sorry, but the moments between the action are incredibly weak. Scott does little to make us associate with Maximus. The first battle scene is edited so quickly, one doesn't have an idea what's going on. It's quite overwhelming. And the CGI in various parts of the movie suck. I mean, it's hard to believe that people are cheering for the "Spaniard" when there is a shot of hundreds of unreal people. Most of the effects are good, but be prepared for dumb ones. And for me, Braveheart wins. Better music, better acting, better attachment to the actors, and battle scenes constructed and not "collaged" together.0
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Hi all. I haven
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for those of you who didn't know, the site is all new, so you can see all the glorious trailers, get downloads and other studio bullshit. I had to comment on this because it took them for freaking ever, as late as late last week it was still just the trailers. Don't you think the website would be updated to coincide with the big rush to advertise? hmm
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I love this site. I don't get to see all these really cool movies much anymore. I have 2 little boys. I've been cursed by the mouse. The gods have decreed that all the movies I watch must be connected to a mouse in some way. Last movie I saw at the theatre? Pokemon aka Electric Mouse, of course. Before that Tarzan. The mouse connection there is too obvious to state. Heck, I even saw Mouse Hunt! Oh well, Summer's coming, and with the summer hours, maybe I can sneak out and .... Anyway, you enjoy the movie, and tell me how was. I'll be reading.
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But I'm feeling bitter this morning. A great review, Quint. I'm not a fanboy or a film geek, I just like what I like, so I'm no expert on anything. And I for sure will enjoy this film. So I'll say this and be gone: Would you posters stop kissing Moriarty and Harry's asses, please?
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Your an idiot, Brave Heart used
F/X trickery to increase the scale
of it's armies. Watch the making of Brave Heart, it shows it el' dorf. Gladiator had more to contend with and pulled it off by showing Rome in it's full glory, something never truly attempted before on the big screen. I doubt that you've
seen Gladiator other than the trailer. As for which is better?
Both are great, if you love epic
period films. --Syd. -
I went to the sneak in SF a few months ago and had a great time. That said, this movie is no blade runner - not even close. It's a popcorn movie. The action is breathtaking. The plot holds true for the first 2/3 of the movie, then falters. The CGI alternates between impressive and distracting, but is by no means seemless. Go into this movie expecting to have a good time. Go in expecting to be shown that Crowe is his generation's DeNiro, with this movie and The Insider matching the range of Raging Bull. Don't go expecting Braveheart. Be happy you get to see a fun movie.
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Listen, I personally love these types of movies, but I don't think my expectations are high though. I mean, if there's something such as LOTR, then I will expect a lot out of it. I think a lot of people are expecting more out of LOTR than Gladiator, since the first chapter in the trilogy isn't going to be released until Christmas 2001 and it's only May 2000 now and there'a already lots of hype on it.
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I didn't think it was possible to want to see this film more. Thank you for showing me the error of my ways. Who cares what age you are? I'm only two years older than you, and I don't consider my opinion less valid than anyone else's. What matters is that you can give a well reasoned critique. You must watch the Universal Horrors though. I recommend The Mummy.
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Probably no one but me cares about this but I think your historical information is a tad off. At the time the Romans contended for control of Brittania there were no actual Scots. The Scottis were an Irish tribe that emigrated to their neighbor island and inter-bred with the Picts and other tribes who already resided there. It could be that my information is wrong as I have found precious little in the way of literature on this time period on the island, and most of what I have found I have not had time to read other than short summaries of a ahndful of rebellions.
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I saw a screening of this last week, expected alot, and had my expectations fullfilled. I mean, you can be nitpicky and find faults here or there, but my god, there is so much to rave about, any criticism is petty. There is just too much that is spectacular.No movie is perfect from beginning to end. Maximus is a fictitious character, however, although Marcus Aurelius and Commodus are real.If I remember correctly from what I have read, Commodus apparently went insane and was killed by a bear while willingly going into the gladiator ring.
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SAW IT, LOVED IT, THIS IS WHY MOVIES SHOULD BE MADE !!!....NUFF SAID
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Ok...
I have been pumped to see this movie for months...and I finally saw it for the first time last night.
The theater was packed and the crowd excited to witness some serious gladiation happenin -
I know I'm setting myself up for ridicule and derision, but this film isn't great. Don't get me wrong, it's got loads going for it from the epic battles to the beautiful reconstruction of Rome but there as something missing - WHERE WAS THE F***ING PLOT? This has to be the most tired and predictable story ever commited to celluoid, I mean EVER. Also the characters are so two dimensional that they preactically disappear when they turn sideways? Loved the visuals, the exquistely shot violence, and the acting was good considering the lack of material given to work with (except for Joaquin who was just simpering and, frankly, annoying - about as threatening a villian as old spaggetti), hated the rest. Contoversial, but true.
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Saw gladiator tonight and it really was not that great. The movie had action and nice plot but it just was not that great. Not what I expected.
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Damn. I was hoping to have my mind blown.
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