Oscar-winning 'Gladiator' makes Blu-ray debut on Sept

With "Gladiator (3-half stars, R, 2000), directed by Ridley Scott took over the task of creating a huge sword and sandal epic, the film relies on visitors who have not seen the film since 1964's" Fall of the Roman Empire. "

(I'm not counting 1981's "Clash of the Titans," which is technically the film Gladiator, but it feels like one.)

Scott, whose previous films "Alien," "Blade Runner" and "Thelma and Louise", deserves a laurel wreath is a fascinating spectacle, "Gladiator," which was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won five, including best film and Best Actor Russell Crowe. The film is a Blu-ray Disc debut-1st September

"Gladiator" is set in ancient Rome, whose army is fighting the Vandals in Germany. The army was led to victory of Maximus (Crowe, whose "State of Play" is available on DVD and Blu-ray Disc 1 September). De Algemene overwinning verzekert de Gunst van de Keizer Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), and beslist die door geven over zijn eigen Zoon Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), en zijn als de Naam opvolger Maximus. Marcus Aurelius plan, "is that Maximus, Reform Party candidate during the control forces back to the Roman Senate.'s Day, the emperor died before he could express his wishes.

In fact, the Court of Emperor Commodus always within the meaning of political advice to his sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, "Mission to Mars), in which the incest model. Chest," the first question that Maximus was taken (along with his wife and son) is a threat Chest "Remove."

If you want a job well done, but the real me. Maximus escapes from Commodus Goonies, "but the injury left him vulnerable. Coming home in Spain, too late to save his family, Maximus is out. Lying near death, he was captured and enslaved Next (Oliver Reed), coach gladiators.

Maximus looks born, and Gladiator soon Coliseum in Rome, where Commodus ordered the festival games for the public to erode their own incompetence. Maximus This gives the opportunity to retaliate and set course back to Rome, Marcus Aurelius in mind.

Crowe, totally convincing performance in general-slave-turned-Gladiator. It is possible to think of another contemporary actor who could pull tasks.

Phoenix, also Oscar-nominated film, it seems selfish Commodus, particularly emotional scene charge against Harris and Nielsen. Phoenix does not even get a few scenes from the battle, frees a very good sword.

Nielsen gives the right atmosphere of mystery to the role of Lucilla. The audience learns that Lucilla Maximus was before, but never get to understand the nature of the relationship. Father Maximus, Lucilla's son Lucius (Spencer Treat Clark)? Commodus, or fats, and uncle and the father of the child?

Reed, in his last task, the film is a source of stability and practicality. Maximus's advice: Take the car, first love of people known gladiator rich. Even in ancient Rome, was a celebrity uses. Reed died shortly before the end of "Gladiator." The priority is to use one of their scenes.

Among the supporting actors Djimon Hounsou ( "Amistad") is different from Juba, a man slave who befriends Maximus. Derek Jacobi ( "Dead Again"), who previously made television costume, "I, Claudius", gives a good picture of the corrosive Gracchus, Senator, that has an impact on political intrigue.

Scott and production designer Arthur Max surpassed his own recreation of ancient Rome. Introduced (in England, Morocco, Malta, Italy) and costumes are amazing data.

Of course, such a film is always a welcome cast of thousands. The "Gladiator" 2000 extra Coliseum performance with the computer set the 33,000 spectators. In fact, it is only a fraction of a lower level, the Coliseum was built in the real set. Other buildings added, some nice computer, special effects shots.

Although impressive technological achievements, his audience too aware of the impact of computers (especially convincing couples who want a bird flying across the screen). The end result is that many of the film seems to be less effective than similar films from 1950.

The exception is Scott tension sequences, especially highly choreographed gladiator battles and wars in Germany, the film begins. Filled with burning torches, and catapults to launch the corresponding Roman Napalm and scope maimings and executions, the war period to make the public understand why the hell Maximus describes the battle log.

Scott handling frames per second, all these operations, at a time when nervous attacks, anxiety and confusion that puts emphasis on the characters. Design also assists in the defeat of violence, a step that the impact of Gore's movie rich cushion.

"Gladiator" seem to have second thoughts with regard to violence. I can not decide for the public to eliminate the use of ever so lovingly photographed entirely on location, and chaos, enthusiastic people in Rome.

The film is enriched by an unforgettable orchestral scores of veteran film composer Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard. Unfortunately, I sometimes feel that the result was unforgettable, because I've heard. It is easy to follow the inspiration for the music scene in the fight, "Gustav Holst, Mars - the bringer of war" from the "Planet". I am the only one who thinks that the question of Maximus' sounds Conrad Birdie Fan Club Anthem "Bye Bye Birdie"?

Press materials "Gladiator", as Stanley Kubrick's "Spartacus" (1960), as the last great film Gladiator, is easy to see "Fall of the Roman Empire." While it is true that it is not technically the film Gladiator, has a direct impact inspired number "Gladiator."

Both began the war in Germania, Marcus Aurelius and Commodus in the school. Opponent Commodus, "and" Fall of the Roman Empire, but the general state of vengeful gladiator. Since the "Gladiator", opponents are fighting so much love for a woman to lust for power.