Gladiator is one of those films that comes around every once in a while that is beautiful to look at it, and stunning to watch, but when you think about it more fully, falls a little short. It's unfortunate that a film such as this requires you to think about it. Some films are created to be fun and exhilarating, but never thought about or analyzed. Unfortunately, Gladiator makes so many statements about its world that we need to think about it, and when we do we're less than satisfied.
Maximus is a Roman General. He is betrayed when Commodus murders the Emperor and sentences Maximus to death (along with his entire family). This is following one of the most breathtakingly filmed fight sequences I've ever seen. Unfortunately, the film itself grounds its nature in impressive visuals rather than character development. Maximus is a one man army. He has a mission and will go to no end to fulfill that mission. Unfortunately, in his quest for his result, he doesn't learn anything. He doesn't grow or change in any substantial way.
Russell Crowe adequately portrays the enraged General, but he's more of a statue wandering through intense battle sequences to the ultimate showdown with the man who betrayed him. Joaquin Phoenix is quite good as the confused, conflicted, and mean-spirited Emperor of Rome. But, even the performances are not enough to keep this film on its feet.
Gladiator took home seven Oscars. It deserved several of them, including the award to Crowe, but I think the Best Picture Oscar would have better been served to Traffic. There is a film that is capable of handling what it gives to its audience, and what it gives is nothing short of intense.
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