The Movie Guys: Magnetic Crowe commands screen in ‘Gladiator’

Friday, May 5, 2000 | 9:33 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays. They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/movies and themovieguys.com.

Grade: Jeff A, Dave A-.

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed.

Screenplay: David H. Franzoni, John Logan, William Nicholson.

Director: Ridley Scott.

Rated: R for intense graphic combat and adult themes.

Running time: 154 minutes.

Playing at: Rancho Santa Fe 16, Century Orleans, Century Desert 16, Century Cinedome 12 Henderson, Las Vegas Drive-in, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18, Regal Cinemas Village Square 18, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, UA Showcase 8, UA Green Valley Cinemas.

Synopsis: The great Roman General Maximus (Russell Crowe) has once again led the legions to victory on the battlefield. The war won, Maximus dreams of home, wanting only to return to his wife and son. However, the dying emperor, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris), has one more duty for the general -- to assume the mantle of his power. Jealous of Maximus' favor with the emperor, the heir to the throne, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), orders his execution. Barely escaping death, Maximus is forced into slavery and trained as a gladiator in the arena, where his fame and power grows.

Dave: Who better to revive a genre that has been silenced in Hollywood for more than 35 years than veteran filmmaker Ridley Scott? His visual creations and cinematic accomplishments helped define the standards of such genres as action (1977's "The Duellists"), science fiction (1979's "Alien") and feminist films (1991's "Thelma & Louise"). Now in his latest feature "Gladiator," Scott rebuilds the Roman Empire in its gritty, glorious fashion and tells us the tale of a great general whose devotion to Rome sends him into slavery, during which he rises again as a vengeful gladiator.

Filled with bitter betrayal, intense swordplay and breathtaking otherworldly shots that reveal a vast A.D. 180, "Gladiator" is a welcome return after Elizabeth Taylor's disaster "Cleopatra" (1963).

Jeff: While watching "Gladiator" two thoughts were going through my head: how mankind's violent behavior and brutal history hasn't changed all that much in a couple thousand years, and how great it is to be a man. Scott reached out and pressed my testosterone button, so I was cheering the brutal death of the peasants at the hands of the gladiators with great enthusiasm -- so much so that afterward I needed an 18-ounce T-bone steak and a cold shower.

The brutal violence displayed in the Colosseum was forcible and grisly, despite some quick cuts concealing a few decapitations. I can't explain my primal joy in witnessing such a display, but the audience I was with cheered along with me with every blow of the gladiator's sword. So much for having a civilized society in the 21st century, but "Gladiator" is much more than your typical action film. Behind its gruesome display of human dogfighting is a well-rounded narrative with richly developed characters.

Dave: Namely the courageous and brave general warrior Maximus, played with intense magnitude by the film's star, Crowe. On the heels of his recent Academy Award nomination for his flawless performance in "The Insider," Crowe possesses the needed verve and anguish to show his Maximus as a compassionate soul whose loyalty to Caesar is greater than any personal priority.

However, once the ruling emperor Marcus Aurelius (Harris) is murdered by his son, Commodus (Phoenix), who has learned of Aurelius' wishes to make Maximus the succeeding ruler, Crowe trades in nobility for a controlled rage that is to eventually avenge and honor the dying words of Marcus. The fervor behind his whispered words and silent stares match every physical action on the battlefield or in the violent arena.

Jeff: This will seal Crowe's destiny as a bona fide movie star. Helping Maximus on his road to Rome is Proximo (played by the late Oliver Reed, who died shortly after completing the film), who once was a great gladiator and now teaches the fine art of battle to his gang of captured slaves. Phoenix, as the villainous Commodus, is heir to the throne, but lacks any morals or ability to lead Rome into a new era. He drew boos and hisses from the crowd during our screening and deservedly so. Commodus is performed to perfection with the antics of a spoiled child. He throws numerous temper tantrums and holds 150 straight days of gladiator games to win over the citizens of Rome. Underneath this immature behavior lurks a psychotic and unbalanced ruler who has plotted to kill all who stand in his way, including his own father. "Gladiator" is a superb action epic.

Dave: Cinematographer John Mathieson goes to great lengths in capturing the dreary Germanic forest regions with rich colors in the film's breathtaking opening battle scene. In addition, the costumes, courtesy of Janty Yates ("Plunkett & Macleane"), are as meticulously threatening (armory and gear) as they are stunning (the emperor's family's wardrobe). But as I mentioned before, Scott is a rare breed as a living auteur -- that is, a film's personality is identified by its director -- giving a film its distinctive quality.

As my colleague Jeff knows, I'm a great admirer of Scott and his entire filmography. His works simply speak for themselves, as they have inspired not only myself but audiences over the years with dark, brooding themes that always seem to be ahead of their time. A master artist with each film -- and "Gladiator" is simply another brush of greatness.