GLADIATOR (2000) Movie Review | Russell Crowe | Joaquin Phoenix | Ridley Scott

[@BonzoKilbourn]

"If you find yourself alone, riding in the green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled. For you are in Elysium, and you’re already dead!" That's great stuff.

[@masterofallgoons]

Not mentioned here, but worth reiterating that there were no CGI animals in this one. The only CGI creature was Oliver Reed.

[@TheDemonicPenguin]

That can't be true. Yes the Tigers are mostly real, but there's a pretty jank shot of one the Tigers taking a swipe that looks CG. It's at minimum been manipulated/composited.

[@masterofallgoons]

@TheDemonicPenguin - it's a composite shot of a real tiger.

[@schmoab]

And it’s on film.

[@edfagan4251]

Russell Crowe -- not my favorite, but '97-'03 he had a helluva run -- L.A. Confidential, The Insider, Gladiator, A Beautiful Mind, Master and Commander

[@thetalentof]

...3:10 to Yuma, Cinderella Man, American Gangster.

[@crakatoot5480]

Before that you got Quick and the Dead and Romper Stomper

[@Xorgrim]

also underrated, in my opinion: The Nice Guys

[@thetalentof]

@@Xorgrim Absolutely, the Crowe film I would most like to have had a sequel to. That and Master & Commander.

[@ElTuco84]

Master and Commander is the serious and artful version of Gladiator.

[@sway6718]

Totally agree with Alonso on the true reason for Crowe winning Best Actor. His performance in The Insider, in my opinion, is the best of his career.

[@masterofallgoons]

I kind of thought he was stronger in A Beautiful Mind, but yeah this isn't as deep a performance. He's good though, and he has a presence where you'd belive men would line up behind him and follow him into battle. But he did that kind of thing better in Master and Commander.

[@davidfilmexpert]

I respectfully disgree, this could've been some clichéd action role and instead Russell Crowe elevated the material made it one the most nuanced iconic hero performances on the level of Kirk Douglas in Spartacus and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant.

[@kellyzilli12]

If you had watched the movie in completion, you would have realized that it is a movie based on more than just vengeance. It is the story of hope and of an afterlife. That is why there is a continuous thread throughout the movie about Elysium, which is integral in making the movie not purely based on revenge. Just my thoughts anyway.

[@paradisecity0406able]

So, were you entertained?!

[@raghuraj2967]

9:03

[@davidfilmexpert]

I guess he wasn't. Based on how Alonzo reacted to having to rewatch it as if it was like doing homework, he clearly does not like these epic adventure films.

[@JohnnyNada]

I was absolutely entertained

[@g3arma5ter]

Totally fair, different strokes for different folks.

[@makon89]

So happy and thankful both of you are going back to watch these "older" movies. Now we just need Alonso to see The Lord of the Rings. Can't believe he hasn't seen such a monumental film trilogy. Give it a chance Alonso.

[@422katieleigh]

At this point I think he’s avoiding it just to spite us 😂 which, fair enough, we LOTR apologists can be very annoying

[@tacocanada1888]

kind of a bad take to say vengeance isnt a good thing to hang a movie on when there so many of them eg kill bill john wick. Hell, ben hur had the highest budget at the time and that was vengeance. Hamlet is full of revenge

[@BJAdamBarry]

Kill Bill, John Wick and Hamlet does it much more interestingly.

[@SutraRein-xy4qr]

Yeah obviously not big on the classics methinks...

[@masterofallgoons]

​@@BJAdamBarry- that's true, but they also short changed the motivation. It's not just the personal vendetta, which would be enough, but they add thar the entirety of the Roman political system hangs on this as well.. it's not especially deep, but revenge stories don't necessarily need to be in order to work. Revenge is a great motivation in stories, whether it's subversive and complicated like Blue Ruin or Sweeney Todd or simple and direct like Gladiator or The Lion King.

[@thetalentof]

Man on Fire, Road to Perdition, The Revenant, Braveheart, The Count of Monte Cristo, Collateral Damage, Rocky 4, Taken, Patriot Games, The Punisher, Mad Max, The Mask of Zorro, Hard Target, Equalizer 2, Edge of Darkness, The Salvation, A Man Apart and The Beekeeper.

[@tacocanada1888]

@@BJAdamBarry does that mean it was a good take? I dont understand

[@rachzen]

I saw Gladiator twice in theatre. The second time, I brought my dad because it was exactly the type of movie I remember watching with him as a child, but even I struggle to watch it on the small screen.

[@Peer165]

Then buy yourself a bigger one.

[@davidpalmer9014]

Good topic for your next Q&A. Favorite dad movie. I know when I'm flipping channels and The Hunt for Red October is on, I usually end up watching the whole movie again.

[@Marcus007]

And I know why you don't like it - and I do judge you for it.

[@musicmann1967]

I dig this movie. Always have. I think Russell Crowe was really good in it too. I love Alonso, but I disagree with him fairly often. But I do always appreciate his take on things. It always gives me food for thought, even if I don't agree

[@ElTuco84]

Gladiator is an old-fashioned historical epic, it's not meant to revolutionize cinema, it was released in the summer and was designed and produced to entertain. Let's not overthink it too much. The film was elevated because it has two amazing performances, but let's not take it too seriously. I honestly miss these type of movies, too much Marvel and tentpole movies designed for teenagers.

[@bruh_hahaha]

of course Alonso doesn’t like this movie. 🙄

[@Pswayze23]

While this isnt the most well made movie ever, the antagonist, protagonist and their contrasting lives are an incredible story for young people who have lost their sense of identity. We can use films like this as opposed to more dwyane johnson and marvel movies that dont explore any kind of darkness in humanity, and the strength to overcome that darkness.

[@angelcena759]

Come on, Alonso. Remember that Maximus is a Spaniard. Let's take confort in that at least. LOL

[@alikasra415]

Gladiator is a retelling of the 1964 film The Fall of Roman Empire with Sophia Loren, Alec Guinness, Stephen Boyd, James Mason and Christopher Plummer.

[@WaitingtoHit]

They didn’t score this, but yeah, I think Alonso would’ve preferred a rewatch of Red One.

[@miguel167589]

I don't get why more people don't feel like Alonso. The fights, which you expect should be amazing given the reputation of this film, are super choppy and the fact that Russell's victory is never in doubt there's a lack of tension too. I'll echo everything Alonso said.

[@raymondsmith6870]

That is like saying Luke Skywalker's victory in Star Wars was never in doubt or Hercule Poirot figuring out the killer is never in doubt. That is why it is called fiction not reality. Sheesh.

[@Miele-57]

Thankfully she mentioned the most important of the movie, the memorable quotes and names.

[@OldBluesChapterandVerse]

Across the board, Gladiator strikes me as the best-acted film of its kind ever made. Crowe and Phoenix deserved their nominations (even though I’d have given Best Actor to Hanks rather than Crowe), but Oliver Reed and Connie Nielsen deserved nominations, too. (Reed gives the best performance in the film, imo.) And, man, Derek Jacobi has a few line readings that are all-timers. Phoenix may seem silly and preening at times, but God is he chilling at others.

[@martymascarin486]

Christy hit on a key word describing GLADIATOR. It's more "stately." The dialogue is allowed to play out with some gravitas, even though it's a mere vengeance saga. The camera is settled enough to allow a point or even a phrase to stand out. The POV is square on the principals, allowing them room to breathe, with not a lot of cutting. For GLADIATOR II I was distracted by Scott's choice of POV & editing. Characters had difficulty registering on camera. Editing's too busy, the POV is at odd angles. For the record, GLADIATOR II simply recycles the same plot, with the chess pieces of conflict moved around enough to give a patina of difference. The vengeance business is a little off too. Lucius' wife knocks off Pedro Mascal's colleague, (2nd in command?) with an arrow, missing him, so he orders arrows directed back at her. Essentially, she's a victim of war not murder. So Lucius' hatred of Mascal doesn't deliver the same dramatic payoff.

[@sway6718]

Traffic: Best Director, Screenplay, Editing, Supporting Actor. And the Oscar for Best Picture goes to...😲🤦

[@JohnnyNada]

This movie exceeded my expectations. It was epic. Im not gonna pick it apart, I had lots of fun!

[@SutraRein-xy4qr]

“Still bored” but if it had bloody Santa in it you would have loved it! lol

[@badbadchacha]

Yes.

[@tlovehater]

Who wouldn't love for Gladiator to fight freaking Santa Claus in the Colosseum? Lol.

[@martymascarin486]

Will check out Gladiator 2 & Wicked---saw the latter theatrical production years ago in Toronto; was a fun experience.

[@keysersose9328]

i didn't like the third act eather. it was a movie of formula BUT this guy (alonzo) made a positivie review about MARVELS... at least this movie has a fealing of real cinematic touch. how can you not bored by watching al those contemporery tv series but get bored while you are watching this

[@downtothewood1950]

It was okay, I quite liked it. I watched it again about a year ago and it still holds up well. But my memory at the time of release is of bumping into someone I knew (at his third viewing full of praise for the film) and he said, “That is everything The Phantom Menace should’ve been.” And he was right. Those Star Wars prequels had no depth.

[@davidfilmexpert]

I always figured Alonzo never liked Gladiator. If he didn't like the epic masterpiece The Revenant then this kind of storytelling is definitely not his cup of tea.

[@WEAREB0A]

Well.. at least Alonso finished it this time. And.. i can actually get onboard with some of his criticisms about the quick editing in the battle scenes, something that "Gladiator 2" corrects. The fight between Mescal & Pedro is awesome, and actually has some emotion behind it, in a movie that lacks some of the big emotional beats that this original has.

[@quedorf]

I have to agree 100 percent. I watched it in the theatre originally, and actually dozed off while watching it. It always puzzled me the allure of this movie. Since that point I have come to realize that I do not enjoy most all Ridley Scott movies.

[@tximinoman]

Given the million issues they allegedly had during production (if the stories are to be believed, Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe improvised the whole thing while Crowe got wasted alongside Richard Harris and Oliver Reed -so much so, the latter DIED) it's a miracle this movie is as good as it is. I think the key difference between this and the sequel is that this is more focused. As you mention the sequel divides Maximo into Pascal and Mescal's characters so we don't end up knowing Mescal's character as well. Maximo had the Gladiator companion played by Djimon Hounsou that help show his character as the leader he was meant to be. We see Mescal bond with his fellow gladiators but we never get to know any of them so all those scenes feel a bit flat.

[@bookhouse70]

“Thousands of extras” GLADIATOR was one of the first (or possibly The First) films to use CGI to create its large background audience of attendees, beating the first Lord of the Rings film (2001) by over a year (2000).

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Yes that too.

[@willray4849]

Have or will you guys watch/review La cocina?

[@HitoKunioka]

Every time I say Gladiator is a poorly edited film, everybody tells me I’m insane. I’m so glad Alonso mentioned the editing! All the action sequences are so choppy and you really can’t tell what the fuck is happening.

[@blackkcinamacritic]

Why am I not surprised in Alonso doesn't like this movie😂😂😂

[@tlovehater]

"Horses... sandals" oh my god how did they manage to afford sandals, truly an epic movie lol.

[@waynedexter]

I’m almost certain there are at least a dozen movies Alonso has liked, maybe even loved, that hinged totally on vengeance.

[@cirugo7042]

I don't think I've watched it since it came out. I really liked it at the time. I need to rewatch it and see if it holds up for me.

[@raymondsmith6870]

This is why pretentious critics kind of lose viewers and readers. Can't like something that is too mainstream and old fashioned but go on and on about avant garde messes only made for tiny niche audiences.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Hi Raymond. Guess you missed our reviews of Wicked, and Juror #2, and Piece by Piece, and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, and many other big-studio movies that we enjoyed. But thanks for watching.

[@raymondsmith6870]

@@BreakfastAllDay You mean lightweight fluff that doesn't offend partisan sensibilities like Gladiator.

[@MasonGrant0704]

Great movie and glad it never had a sequel.

[@jasoncarrick5461]

I have seen this twice; I did not care for it the first time and liked it just a little more the second. Russell and Joaquin fit the roles well enough, but it just didn't really work for me much. It has been a long time since that second viewing, but I probably would be at like a 6. Glad Traffic, The Insider and Atomic Blonde got mentions, they are all much better, especially Atomic Blonde in the action genre, it is so good and really surprised me. The action scenes are so great, it hasn't got its due praise.

[@bodine57]

Yes, I WAS entertained. Sometimes, that's all you're looking for.

[@SALVATl0N]

Alonzo, I'm with you! I like it more than you do, but it gets way more credit then it deserves. For me, it's a better done 300. I loathe 300, and the parts of Gladiator I don't like are a better version of 300.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

How about a retrospective review of American Gangster?

[@Mr_Justy]

Only thing remember about gladiator is Liz Taylor presenting it with best picture.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

A moment that Alonso loves!

[@Mr_Justy]

@ I have a whole dinner party act based on it.

[@poposterous236]

I always say that I don't like Gladiator... at least not as much as everyone else, but then I spend about 20 minutes gushing about the things I do like. The spectacle, the opening scene, the supporting actors... there is so much to love. But I just don't give a damn about the main story or the plight of Maximus, its just too cliche. I pretty much can't stand the entire third act. I think I agree with both sides of the aisle on this one.

[@alaninsoflo]

I agree with Alonso.

[@adamjimenez9003]

ok interesting, i would have thought that Alonso would have a softer spot for peplum films, but totally respect he still didn't connect with it, it is a film that i love and that love was mostly carried from when i was a teenager it does appeal to the lizard part of my brain, but the spectacle is veeeery well done.

[@nevetsny1]

Enjoyed it the first time but never rewatched given many chances. I have listened to Zimmer’s The Battle many times. Great for a bolt of energy when running or similar. Straight up continuous action sequence may I suggest the recent Twilight Warrior.

[@rebekahp4083]

I’m ashamed to say that as a member of Gen Z I have never seen the original. 😬 I mostly hear people talk about Crowe’s Oscar win for this film being undeserved.

[@wessiderider187]

Yall trying to catch that smoke 😂😂😂 I respect your opions but gladiator was fire 🔥

[@uekernas]

It’s an epic spectacle made with high skill and a big budget, but any emotional resonance comes strictly from Russell Crowe’s performance.

[@BreakfastAllDay]

He's really great in this.

[@nrp5791]

Does he like Kill Bill Vol 1 & 2? 🤔

[@D12345]

Shadows and dust Christie and Alonzo we are but shadows and dust!!!

[@KennethPalmer10]

This is a masterpiece! Love you guys but you’re totally wrong with this review …. 🤷🏾

[@jennifere.9815]

I agree with Alonso, I was not a fan of "Gladiator."

[@trevorevansyoung]

Aw, i always want a # rating :( yeah. I never really was a fan of this movie though. Just feels super safe and old fashioned in a year where there were some real innovation being made

[@kwalton7690]

Yeah Gladiator is not for me either (saw it once and was never interested in watching again) and think Traffic should have won Best Picture. I did enjoy the score though. But I wish Gladiator II best of luck.

[@andygilly14]

🤣🤣🤣 The Dad Movie Pantheon... I had to watch it for a class in college about Literature and Epics... I think the movie was more popular with my male colleagues than the girls (but there was a few that liked it, but not like love it)

[@loganblaze8457]

These plebs never even mentioned the soundtrack!

[@VictorDiGiovanni]

Mad Maximus

[@somakkamos]

I see. I click. I like. My standard breakfast all day behvior ❤

[@Locusto199]

Coming home and finding your family murdered is devastating. Burning the crops is the straw though.

[@anthonyburn1010]

Gladiator is fucking Citizen Kane compared to the new sequel.

[@rogerbell8429]

I thought the best thing about the movie was Oliver Reed. But I found the story very corny. Joachim Phoenix was not good in this.

[@adamconnor1898]

I've recently watched Spartacus and Gladiator. I didn't love either movie, but in every way Spartacus was the better movie. Gladiator was... meh. Crowe's acting covered the vast emotional range of serious to angry. The plot is just stupid. Huge sections of the movie don't really matter. It was just... not good, consistently. Well-produced, sure. But there are far, far better movies. Shawshank and Field of Dreams are far better movies.

[@commandZee]

I always found _Gladiator_ corny and predictable. It could be great dumb fun but it's undercut with obligatory overly stoic pretension. I think _Kingdom of Heaven: The Director's Cut_ is the better Ridley Scott sword and sandal film. As for old school style insperational underdog Russel Crow warrior performances, I prefer _Cinderella Man._

[@om6789gg]

Of course he wants vengeance jack A wouldn’t you 🙄 I don’t know this guy’s name in this video. NERD

[@DaveDoran]

Why review if not a fan of original 🤔

[@BreakfastAllDay]

Because we wanted to go back and see what we thought about it all these years later. It's something we do a lot around here, especially in our Was It Great or Were You 8? series. Thanks for watching.

[@conorfurlong]

I agree. I think it’s pants. Boring and laughably bad. Phoenix’s performance is one of the all time terrible villain performances. Laughably over the top, and not in a good way. Basically a pantomime villain. Crowe is just a boring cypher.

[@angelthman1659]

I was not entertained. Gladiator is the worst Best Picture winner of all time. I hated it in 2000, but only recently did I find out that they didn't have a complete script while shooting it. It shows. It's a disorganized mess. Feels like they were making it up as they went along.

[@TheSpotlessMind93]

Worst Best Picture winner goes to either The Green Book and Crash.

[@angelthman1659]

@@TheSpotlessMind93 The Green Book is decent, and Crash is not as bad as everyone says. Nothing is worst than Gladiator. It's as if Conan the Barbarian won Best Picture 🤦

[@Peer165]

​@@angelthman1659What's wrong with Conan now? It's actually good filmmaking with an outstanding soundtrack.

[@dieselthejeweler]

Sometime you guys just do trash reviews

[@D12345]

Probably will see Gladiator 2 eventually. Though when the guy rides the rhino in the trailer, that's what tempered me.🥱😖