Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Thursday, May 4, 2000
Special effects bring the glory of Ancient Rome to the silver screen in Gladiator. Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix star in the story of a gladiator's vengeance upon an evil emperor. Contributed Art
Gladiator no thumbs up, but effects are spectacular
By Todd Halstead
Kansan movie critic
Anybody looking for a mindless revenge flick will enjoy director Ridley Scott's (Alien, Blade Runner) new movie, Gladiator. Anybody looking for an epic Roman tale similar to Sparticus will be sorely disappointed.
Gladiator tells the story of Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Roman general. We meet him as he prepares for battle against a barbarian hoard.
GLADIATOR
The arrival of aliling emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), alters the course of events. After the battle, the emperor tells Maximus that he fears the glory of Rome will falter if another emperor is appointed after his death. His plan instead is to make Maximus Lord Protector until the Republic is restored.
Acting: A-
Writing: B
Sound: A
Cinematography: B
Overall: B
When Aurelius' shady son and heir, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), learns of this plan, he smothers his father and orders the execution of Maximus.
Maximus escapes the execution and ends up in the slave trade where he is purchased as a gladiator. The remainder of the film follows his rise through the ranks of gladiators and his plot of revenge against Commodus.
Scott delivers a beautiful computer-imaged world that gives us a glimpse of how majestic ancient Rome must have been. But he remains loyal to the actors and allows them to carry the film instead of relying on the
special effects. The filmmaking is often breathtaking.
Unfortunately, the battle scenes are disappointing. The visuals during the battle are a jumbled mess and the quick cuts remove viewers from the scene emotionally.
This technique is carried into the gladiator battles, although there are various gladiator scenes that include some attention-getting decapitations.
Gladiator could have been a great film if it had taken a slightly different approach to filming and plot development. That's not to say it isn't an enjoyable endeavor. Many people were cheering by the film's end, but it doesn't live up to expectations.
There are insights into political intrigue and assassination plots, but they are largely underdeveloped. But Phoenix delivers a superb performance as Commodus.
movie listings
28 Days — Samar Billock stars as an alcoholic attempting to get沙瓮. Playing at Southwind 12, 3433 Iowa St.
American Beauty — A deceased man tells his tale of turning his miserable life around and everyone else's upside down. Playing at Southwind 12.
American Paycho — Christian Bale plave a young Wall Street trader by day, serial killer by night. Playing at Plaza 6, 2394 Iowa St.
Erin Brockovich — Julia Roberts stars as a Los Angeles mother working who becomes head investigator against a California utility giant. Playing at Southwind 12.
The Flintstones: Viva Rock Vegas — In this live-action prequel to the 1994 comedy hit, the Flintstones and Rubbles go to Rock Vegas. Playing at Southwind 12.
Final Destination — After a 17-year-old visualizes that the plane he and his classmates are on explodes midair and that all on board meet their doom, he and six others leave the aircraft, only to struggle to stay alive on the ground. Playing at Plaza 6.
Frequency — A young man discovers that his ham radio set can reach 30 years into the past — to communicate with his father, a firefighter who died in an accident. Playing at Southwind 12.
Ghost Dog — A mafia contract killer who adheres to ancient Japanese samurai is blamed for a bungled hit. Playing at Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St.
Gladiator — see review. Playing at Southwind 12.
Gossip — Three college students choose a class project on how fast she spreads, plays at Southwind 12.
High Fidelity — John Cuseck plays a Chicago record store owner who, after being dumped by his girlfriend, revisits his romantic history and life choices. Playing at Southward 12.
I Dreamed of Africa — A beautiful, inquisitive woman escapes from her monotonous life in Italy to start anew in Africa. Playing at Southwind 12.
Keeping the Faith — Ben Stiller and Edward Norton play a rabbi and a priest who find themselves in an awaward situation when Bent (as jake, the rabbi) falls in love with their best friend. Playing at Southwind 12.
**Love 101** — Two college roommates fall for the same woman. Playing at Southwind 12.
Love and Basketball — Two young neighbors share a love for basketball and each other. Playing at Plaza 6.
*Return to Me* — A sickly young woman (Minnie Driver) and a Chicago skyscraper builder (David Duchovny) find love in a most unlikely situation. Playing at Southwind 12.
Rules of Engagement — Samuel L. Jackson plays a Marine colonel accused of ordering a pointless civilian massacre, Playing at Southwind 12.
*Titus* — Based on Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus." *Titus* (Anthony Hopkins) is a victorious Roman general who makes two ruses mistakes. Plavinating at Liberty Hall.
U. 571 — World War II action drama about a U.S. Navy submarine captain on a risky mission to swipe a decoding device from a stranded German ship. Playing at Southwind 12.
Where the Heart Is — A pregnant 17-year-old is abandoned at a Wal-Mart in the middle of nowhere by her boyfriend with $7.77. She moves into the store and thus begins a new life. Playing at Southwind 12.
LA-TIARA TACO SHELLS 99c YELLOW OR WHITE 12 CT.
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1420 Crescent Road, Lawrence, KS 6604
(785) 843-3826 • (785) 843-9578
www.jayhawkbookstore.com
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