Rating: R (intense, graphic combat)
Length: 171 minutes

Widescreen 2.35:1 Color (Anamorphic)

ENGLISH: Dolby Digital 5.1
FRENCH: Dolby Digital 5.1

English

A great Roman General goes from glory to slave when his Caesar is murdered. This movie is about his revenge; it can't get simpler than that?

The two greatest qualities of this movie is its soundtrack and video quality; in that order. The fight scenes look very realistic, the CGI is convincing, Joaquin Phoenix steals the show, and Connie Nielsen is as lovely as ever. As with any good movie about the Romans, there are plots and then there are more plots; politics once again playing the catalyst.

If like me, you're a junkie for extras, you will not be disappointed. It takes longer to watch the extras than it does to watch the main feature. It's almost as if Peter Jackson was involved.

Once you look past all the visual aspects, the storyline is actually quite simple and predictable (after you break it down to the basics, it's not all that much unlike Ben-Hur meets Spartacus with a extra treachery). If you're not into violence mixed in with a healthy bit of blood and gore, you'll want to sit this one out.

• Commentary by Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe
• Introduction to the Exteneded Edition by Ridley Scott
• "Strength and Honor: Creating the World of Gladiator" Seven Part Documentary (3 hours 20 minutes)
• Production Design Featurette and Galleries
• Storyboard Demonstrations, Comparisons and Galleries
• Ridleygrams: Ridley Scott's Own Sketches
• Costume Design Galleries
• Cast Portrait Photo Galleries
• Visual Effects Explorations: Germania and Rome
• Abandoned Sequences, Including Alternate Opening Titles, Blood Vision, Rhino Fight and a Newly Discovered Deleted Scene

Even though Crowe's portrayal is dry for most of the film, he does have his moments. As someone said it better than I; "Are you not entertained?" In this instance you will be glad that you're here and you will be entertained. If you already own the theatrical version, unless you're a extras junkie there is no real need to buy this set.

Note: The extended version opens up with Ridley Scott explaining that this isn't the "Director's Cut", that was seen in the theater. This leaves me with the impression he wasn't thrilled with this version. Who knows?

Ridley Scott   [American Gangster, Blade Runner, Black Hawk Down, G.I. Jane, Hannibal, Kingdom of Heaven, Matchstick Men]

Tomas Arana - Quintus

[The Bourne Supremacy]

Spencer Treat Clark - Lucius

[Double Jeopardy, Mystic River, Unbreakable]

Russell Crowe - Maximus

[A Beautiful Mind, American Gangster, The Insider, L.A. Confidential, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, The Quick and the Dead (1995), Romper Stomper]

Tommy Flanagan - Cicero

[AVP: Alien vs. Predator, The Saint, Sin City]

Richard Harris - Marcus Aurelius

[The Count of Monte Cristo, The Guns of Navarone, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Patriot Games, Unforgiven]

David Hemmings - Cassius

[Gangs of New York, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen]

Djimon Hounsou - Juba

[Amistad, Biker Boyz, Constantine, Eragon, The Island, Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life, Stargate]

Derek Jacobi - Gracchus

[Underworld Evolution]

Ralf Moeller - Hagen

[The Scorpion King, Seed]

Connie Nielsen - Lucilla

[Basic, The Devil's Advocate, The Great Raid, The Hunted, The Ice Harvest, Mission to Mars, One Hour Photo, Soldier]

Joaquin Phoenix - Commodus

[Buffalo Soldiers, Ladder 49, The Village, U-Turn, Walk the Line]

Oliver Reed - Proximo

[Tommy]

David Schofield - Falco

[Cleopatra (1999), The Musketeer. POTC: At World's End]

John Shrapnel - Gaius

[Elizabeth: The Golden Age, Troy]

Sven-Ole Thorsen - Tiger

[Conan the Destroyer, The Running Man]