Like a lot of films, it's strong for the first half and exceedingly weak for the second half. Commodus is a boogeyman, and retarded to boot. I was like Dr. Evil's son, Scotty, when he said (paraphrasing here), "Why don't you just kill him? Why go through the elaborate deal with the sharks and lazers and timers and crap? Let's just get a gun and shoot him in the head." That's what Commodus, or anyone with an IQ over 60, would do. Maximus is a cool character, but the film is too focused on its romantic aspects. Kingdom of Heaven was the opposite: a fantastic film with a weak lead.
I really agree with you about Kingdom of Heaven, it takes a while to get into. But I don't agree with your point about Commodus.
He HAD to kill Maximus in the gladitorial arena because Maximus was so beloved by the people. Commodus wanted to have that adoration (in the movie he sees himself as a sort of Caeser I think). If he had just killed Maximus, the people would have suspected foul play and Commodus would have lost any hope of being an emperor loved by the people.
Also remember, Commodus is insane

You must unlearn what you have learned.
Gladiator
26/09/2009 07:33:33 PM
- 935 Views
While it was a good movie...perhaps great
26/09/2009 07:40:34 PM
- 820 Views
Apparently I didn't like this as much as everyone else in the world.
26/09/2009 07:50:00 PM
- 635 Views
Hmm...
26/09/2009 08:04:50 PM
- 582 Views
Movies that I can watch more than once.
27/09/2009 06:45:33 AM
- 718 Views
I own it....
26/09/2009 09:10:46 PM
- 658 Views
It's pretty wek in retrospect.
26/09/2009 07:58:14 PM
- 736 Views
I didn't think the romance was that big a part
26/09/2009 08:06:49 PM
- 579 Views
Re: I didn't think the romance was that big a part
26/09/2009 08:27:05 PM
- 582 Views
Good point
27/09/2009 10:12:04 PM
- 579 Views
Commodus, Commodus, Commodus...
28/09/2009 12:02:23 AM
- 549 Views
Depends how you define insane.
28/09/2009 01:10:34 AM
- 632 Views
I disagree.
29/09/2009 01:14:57 AM
- 583 Views
I want those two hours of my life back
*NM*
26/09/2009 09:04:49 PM
- 321 Views

!
26/09/2009 10:34:59 PM
- 569 Views
Well.
27/09/2009 12:49:08 PM
- 736 Views
And the fighting rules!
27/09/2009 05:04:12 PM
- 605 Views
If the fighting was all there is to the movie
27/09/2009 08:12:29 PM
- 651 Views
What a load of bull
27/09/2009 08:44:05 PM
- 741 Views
I thought Kingdom of Heaven was better. Perhaps if Russel Crowe was the lead instead of Bloom ... *NM*
27/09/2009 02:49:25 AM
- 339 Views
I've never seen Kingdom of Heaven
27/09/2009 04:01:38 AM
- 589 Views
You should. The supporting characters really save the film, esp Norton as the Leper King.
27/09/2009 07:05:37 AM
- 588 Views
I did it!
27/09/2009 05:06:24 PM
- 592 Views