Movies

10 Ways Ridley Scott’s Gladiator Has Aged Poorly 24 Years Later

BBG News

One standout film from 2000 was Ridley Scott’s creation, “Gladiator”. This movie ignited a trend of films inspired by ancient warfare, all striving to emulate its extraordinary commercial success. Beyond being a financial powerhouse, “Gladiator” made history as it won the prestigious Best Picture award at the Academy Awards.

In comparison to many popular films and typical blockbusters, “Gladiator” stands out as a high-quality production. Yet, when juxtaposed with the greatest movies ever made, some of its shortcomings become more evident. Numerous film enthusiasts have been critical of “Gladiator,” claiming that it doesn’t hold up particularly well over time, and there’s no denying their point. It falls significantly short of Ridley Scott’s best work, and even fails to measure up to the masterpieces created by Scorsese, Tarantino, or Kubrick.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve noticed that hints are dropped several times throughout the original Gladiator suggesting that Maximus and Lucilla shared a past connection. There has been speculation that Lucius might be Maximus’ son, but this detail doesn’t significantly impact the narrative of the first movie. However, in Gladiator 2, this aspect was reworked to align with the timeline, making Lucius both Maximus’ son and of an appropriate age for their relationship to make sense.

The peculiar romantic dynamic between Lucilla and her brother, Commodus, bears a striking resemblance to the incestuous relationships in “Game of Thrones.” It’s filled with tension, leaving one wondering if they will or won’t act on their feelings, adding an extra layer of strangeness. It appears that Commodus’ attraction towards his sister is more a result of Ridley Scott aiming to make him as unlikable as possible, rather than for any story-driven reasons.

As a movie enthusiast, it’s like finding a hidden puzzle piece in a complex storyline. When I overhear my nephew mention that my sister said Maximus will be Rome’s hero, that seemingly innocuous comment sparks a sudden shift in my perception. It’s as if the veil has been lifted, and from this moment on, I find myself squarely opposed to my sister’s plans.

It appears highly unlikely that this comment would lead to a severe response, such as a crackdown. Moreover, it’s hard to believe that she would make such a potentially incriminating statement publicly, especially with her child present. Given her character’s portrayal as the most cunning in the movie, it seems implausible that she would reveal anything damning in such a setting.

In an attempt to overwhelm Maximus, Emperor Commodus sets up a confrontation with a group of gladiators instead of a single opponent. This scenario is often seen in films where the protagonist engages multiple adversaries simultaneously, but the editing in this fight scene portrays the enemy gladiators as unsophisticated and easily outmatched.

In the heat of the conflict, Maximus strides in, leaving everyone around him spellbound, frozen in their tracks as if mesmerized. Instead of acting instinctively by overwhelming him with numbers, they choose to observe. Remarkably, he engages each opponent one by one, while the others look on, almost as if witnessing a scene from Power Rangers rather than a real-life battle scenario.

As a cinephile, I can hardly imagine anyone embodying the ruthless, two-dimensional character of Commodus better than they do in the movies. There’s nothing even remotely redeemable about him; he lacks any semblance of a positive trait or depth. Most antagonists possess some degree of complexity, their motivations rooted in understandable or sympathetic circumstances, but Commodus is an exception – he’s simply evil for the sheer sake of being malevolent.

A movie doesn’t always require a complicated villain, especially in historical epics, and over-the-top bad guys aren’t particularly beneficial. The character portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix is cowardly, untrustworthy, and treacherous, but the script could be more supportive. Unfortunately, Commodus lacks any positive traits, offering viewers no insights or complexity, just plain wickedness without any deeper meaning.

In a movie lasting approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, it advances through critical storylines, yet certain scenes may seem implausible. The character Maximus is depicted as a highly accomplished general, revered by his soldiers. This devotion is underscored in the film itself, as the soldiers are expected to follow him blindly in their attempt to dethrone Commodus without question.

The issue lies in the fact that Maximus was captured and condemned to death without any attempt at resistance from his troops. If we suppose the soldiers executing him weren’t part of Maximus’ immediate command, it seems peculiar that his entire army remained passive, not even attempting to intervene or offer any form of resistance as he was taken.

In essence, if the movie “Gladiator” had concentrated solely on Maximus’ storyline, it could have been more impactful. However, the film is filled with secondary characters, many of whom contribute little to the main narrative. These figures, such as fellow gladiators, often lack depth or subplots that enhance the overall theme. In contrast to other well-structured narratives where supporting characters are richly developed, it seems in “Gladiator” that some characters appear merely for no apparent reason.

Throughout Maximus’ travels, there are gladiators hailing from Germania and Numidia, yet their individual tales seem remarkably similar and unremarkable. For instance, a Nubian slave is disclosed to have a family he abandoned, but this intriguing detail is never fully developed or utilized in any significant way. It appears that his character would have been equally rich without this backstory revelation.

The Senate is uneasy under the rule of Commodus. Many parts of the story focus on their intrigues and whisperings as they strategize to preserve their authority, yet these efforts generally fail to produce significant results.

The main political figure is Gracchus, yet many senators are unremarkable and indistinguishable from one another. One of them meets an unfortunate end after a snake is found in his bed, though the audience doesn’t feel any emotion towards this event or even recall which senator it was. Gracchus is apprehended before Maximus can be freed from prison, thus having no significant impact on the storyline. He receives recognition when Commodus is deposed, but the narrative could unfold in the same way without him.

During the movie, it sometimes seems as if it’s just a group of Hollywood actors playing at being Roman. To be fair, that’s essentially what the film is. Despite the grandeur, the movie lacks anything that authentically evokes a sense of Rome, Latin culture, or even Italy. However, it manages to immerse viewers in a Roman ambiance without compromising on intricate storylines or character development.

Efforts are made to convey the feeling of stepping into an ancient era, yet none of the settings accurately capture the essence of the eras they’re intended to portray. The initial battle scene lacks authenticity and fails to evoke a sense of Germania, while Roman culture is mostly depicted through shallow visual cues rather than immersive experiences. It seems more like a cursory representation without any meaningful depth that could fully immerse the viewer in that particular time period.

Historical films are allowed to take creative liberties since they are essentially fictional narratives, and their primary goal is to create an engaging story. However, the portrayal of Rome in “Gladiator” is so far removed from reality that one might wonder why it was set in ancient times at all. The film seems to have been heavily Americanized, resulting in a lack of authenticity almost everywhere.

Gladiators are considered dispensable, as if they can be easily replaced, yet they hold significant worth. They’re frequently thrust into situations where their survival or death is anticipated, but in truth, gladiatorial combats were more akin to today’s WWE—manipulated for entertainment rather than resulting in actual deaths. The depiction of Roman politics is also peculiar, utilizing the names of real emperors and senators, yet presenting nothing close to their authentic counterparts. This leaves one questioning why they didn’t simply create fictional characters like Maximus instead.

From the beginning, Maximus is depicted as a natural victor, excelling in every aspect of military leadership without a single blemish in strategy, combat, or personality. Emperor Aurelius holds Maximus in high esteem, even more than his own offspring. Following the ruthless slaying of his family and subsequent enslavement, Maximus displays an incredible resilience, overcoming his tragic past with remarkable speed, and never allowing his traumatic experiences to hinder him during crucial situations.

Right from the start, Maximus proves unbeatable against every opponent he encounters. In fact, when he advances significantly in competition, he leaves a trail of defeated foes behind him. However, his ultimate battle against Commodus is the only significant challenge he faces, as Maximus enters the fight wounded and preparing for a deadly duel with the Emperor. Yet, even in this challenging situation, Maximus manages to defeat Commodus effortlessly, leaving no room for doubt that he would ultimately claim the Emperor’s life.

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2025-04-18 17:06

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