The Gladiator

Part One:

"The Gladiator" is a classic film that takes a complex yet simple story line and transforms it into a movie with beautiful scenery, filming, direction and score.  There were parts of the film that I adored and parts that I could definitely do without.  Personally, I loved the battle scenes.  I could tell that there was so much effort that went into the production of those scenes and I honestly felt that it was real.  However, there were parts of the movie that I disliked- like the opening scene.  I felt as though the opening scene was quite boring and confusing.  The movie didn't make me feel any type of way.  I didn't walk out of class thinking "wow that film changed me."  I felt as though the film was purely for entertainment value and didn't really have any deep imbedded meaning.  However, I did really enjoy the film and it is a film that I would definitely want to watch again- perhaps I would enjoy it a bit more now that I understand the story line.  I think Commodus was the most interesting character in the film.  He brought a sense of evilness into the film while stirring up the entire story line and making the film worth watching.  Honestly, although it was a great movie, I don't think any of it can really be applied to today.  Again, I feel as though this film was purely for entertainment value and I can't imagine this movie being applicable in any sense to the modern day world.

Part Two:

I think that the theme of this film is to finding your inner strength.  Maximus was put at the lowest of the low, and not only that but he also had his family taken away from him and his power was taken away from him.  However, he didn't give up- he found his inner strength and became powerful.  Overall, that's what I took out of this film.  We all have inner strength and even when it doesn't seem like there is any hope for us to find it- we can.