I'm really intrigued how the story continues and I can't wait for more characters to meet each other. The mayhem I see coming will be delicious!

(3/3)

It didn't drag but it was still a lot to get through.

I was a little worried about POVs having longer breaks in-between them but Brandon really managed that well and connected them back without any breaks in coherency. (Way better experience than GoT in my opinion.)

(2/3)

Oh that is absolutely true. But coming back to the topic of womanhood: that tells me more about man than it does about woman. :) Still a very valid point for the film.

There were instances where it could have focused more on the part of the beauty of female relationships (Martha, Toinette) but I got the feeling those moments always got sidelined. For me the balance here feels of and it could have been a lot more multi-layered, if it chose to explore them in depth.

No worries. It's a valid point and I agree to a degree. My problem is the simplification of womanhood. While overcoming male suppression is sadly still a part of womanhood, I think the film focuses too much on it...

Overall I was more entertained because of the story itself and the beauty of how it was presented rather than the exploration of its themes.

Then again I think this film offers lots of aspects open for discussion that you can't all explore after one viewing. (3/3)

I found myself asking while watching this: In what ways can it count as a feminist tale? And where does it fail?

In the end, the film makes the three statements: Womanhood is about sex. Womanhood is not about motherhood. And womanhood is about the relationship with the men in your life. (2/3)

(8/8) Now go and have fun watching Gladiator.

(7/8) All these moments have made cinema history and they have because they are material for an instant classic. It has:

1. a solid story.
2. thematic complexity.
3. a compelling villain.
4. unique, yet emotional music.
5. epic scenes

(6/8) It's full of epic scenes:

• The battle in the beginning.
• Russell Crowe saying his famous "My name is Maximus" monologue.
• The Barbarian Horde fight.

You can't not get chills during this film.

(5/8) The music is a banger.

• It's the perfect mix of a punchy rock-ish orchestra and an emotional opera-esque voice.
• Lisa Gerrard's voice guides us through the film.
• Now We Are Free is a banger.

Hans Zimmer's and Lisa Gerrard's music elevates the film to the masterpiece it is.

(4/8) Commodus is a compelling villain.

• Driven by the urge to be loved by everyone, he makes it everybody's problem.
• Commodus is cunning, intelligent, and brutal.
• Joaquin Phoenix walks the perfect line of calculated villain and mad tyrant.

He is a Shakespeare level villain.

(3/8) While focusing on the action, it doesn’t lack depth.

• It has a good mix of fighting AND thematic complexity.
• Gladiator raises questions of the morality of death games.
• It discusses forms of leadership.

Gladiator is not just an action film, it is also in part political drama.

(2/8) The hook is simple but relatable.

• It's a story about a man going home.
• Maximus dreams about seeing his family again.
• We can all relate to that, so we root for him.

It's not about fighting, it's about homecoming.