Epic /'Epik/ adj.
Also, epical. 1. referring to poetry in which a series of heroic deeds or
events is dealt with in a long continuous narration: Homer's "Illiad" is an
epic poem. 2. grand; heroic: an epic event. n. 3. an epic
poem. 4. a novel, play or film like an epic, esp. on dealing with the adventures and deeds
of a single person.
The people at the Macquarie dictionary
(from where the explanation above was taken) would be well advised to add a further line
to next years edition - "Gladiator" starring Russell Crowe - because the film is
an epic in every sense of the word.
From the moment that I first saw the
preview for Gladiator, there was little doubt in my mind that this would be the movie
event of the year. Sure, there are other blockbusters coming our way - Mission: Impossible 2, Battlefield Earth for example - but nothing that can
match the sense of anticipation I, and I'm sure a lot of other people, got with the first
glimpse of Russell Crowe fighting in the magnificently recreated coliseum.
So did the the movie live up to
expectation? Absolutely.
From the opening shot of Crowes'
character, Maximus - the banished former general of the mighty Roman army, running his
hand along the top of his field, Gladiator totally engrosses the audience and takes it
along for an unforgettable journey.
Using an array of new computer
techniques, director Ridley Scott has recreated Ancient Rome in all of its glory. The
great Coliseum is there for all to too see and Scott, by using a couple of
"fly-in" shots which takes us from outside to inside, manages to convey the
unbelievable atmosphere of the great stadium (although I must say that in a couple of
shots the Coliseum looked a little small). Even sitting in the cinema, you will feel
the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.
The battle scenes, both of the Roman
army and of the gladiatorial battles, are wonderfully shot. Scott takes the audience
right up close to the action, allowing us to fully appreciate the intensity of the
battles. Not since Braveheart have battle scenes been more spectacularly recreated
and the shot (computer generated no doubt) of hundreds of the Roman army's flaming arrows
flying through the air towards the Germanic army, is one of the most breathtaking scenes
put on to film for a long time.
But a spectacularly shot film is often
relegated to mediocrity if it does not have strong performances from its' cast.
Fortunately, Gladiator does not suffer from this problem.
Joaquin Phoenix (the evil Emperor
Commodus), Richard Harris (former Emperor Marcus Aurilius), Derrik Jacobi (conspiring
senator Gracchus), Connie Nielsen (Lucilla, sister of Commodus and former lover of
Maximus) and the late Oliver Reed (in what was his last role, as the master of a group of
slaves) all turn in impressive performances but there is never any doubt as to who the
real star is.
Australia's own Russell Crowe is
nothing short of brilliant as the great hero, Maximus. He has a brutish
quality about him (I mean that in a good way) and the role demanded an actor with not only
the right physical attributes, but also an imposing screen presence. No other actor
in Hollywood could carry this film the way that Crowe manages to and this role will
undoubtedly catapult him to the very top of his profession.
Crowe has set an extremely high bench
mark for any actor with hopes of winning next year's Best Actor Oscar and, although
admittedly it is early, it is hard to see how anyone could possibly top Crowe's
performance.
Gladiator has it all. A
magnificent story set in a equally impressive setting, wonderful performances and almost
faultless direction by a director who knows how to make "big" movies (Alien,
Bladerunner). It is only May and we have already seen what could be the film of the
year. Who knows, there may be a film coming our way which may manage to top the
splendor that is Gladiator. Just don't bank on it.
- Adam Matthews
