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Reader Feedback on
Bams' review of
Gladiator
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Reader Feedback - J. Lanier
(WARNING: potential spoilers below)

I went to see this over the weekend and as soon as I saw the Juba character, I said to myself, I wonder what Bams will have to say about the Black Factor? I thought for sure he was going to be a goner from jump street, and certainly during the little melee when Maximus tried to escape to meet up with his army. But Juba actually outlives Maximus!

Also I was curious to see what your comments would be about the opening Colliseum battle scene with the Africanus tribe and the fact that there were women warriors.

Other Comments:
Apparently Oliver Reed died before the film was completed and I have read and heard that they were able to use a little creative editing and computer technology to film the scenes he appeared in that remained to be shot when he died. Do you know, or could you tell which scenes those might have been?

For me, while not a big problem, I found the use of some of the computer generated backgrounds jarring. To me they just have a flat, lifeless look (I also had a major problem with their extensive use in the last Star Wars Film). Also in the opening battle scene in Germania, some of the action had a Gatorade commercial look that is somewhat disturbing to me also. I don't know if this is a special effect or the result of the type of film/film speed/etc. used to shoot a scene.

Suspension of Belief Anyone?
Like you, I also had trouble believing that:

  • Commodus wouldn't be done in 5 minutes after he bumped off his father (I was hoping Lucilla would make a special won ton soup for him!)

  • that Lucilla (who I had the impression was very wily and crafty herself, and as her father stated, but for the fact that she was a woman, would have been the next Caesar) was suddenly quivering in her sandals.

    But I also had trouble believing that their father, Marcus Aurelius, knowing what a little snot his son was, why he thought Commodus would just roll over and be like "Maximus as the next Caesar, instead of me? Cool!".

    And that the Lieutenant guy seemed to switch loyalties on a dime! One minute he's standing by Maximus on the battle field, the next he's telling him not to resist being dragged off to be killed, and then at the end when Maximus and Commodus duke it out, he refuses to come to Commodus' aid.

    Oh well, I guess that's Hollyweird!



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  • More 3BlackChicks™ review(s) for this week:
    (movies reviewed week of 5/5/00):

    Bams' reviews:
    Gladiator

    The Diva's reviews:
    Gladiator


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