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
- 907 Views
While it was a good movie...perhaps great
26/09/2009 07:40:34 PM
- 786 Views
Apparently I didn't like this as much as everyone else in the world.
26/09/2009 07:50:00 PM
- 606 Views
Hmm...
26/09/2009 08:04:50 PM
- 557 Views
Movies that I can watch more than once.
27/09/2009 06:45:33 AM
- 688 Views
I own it....
26/09/2009 09:10:46 PM
- 625 Views
It's pretty wek in retrospect.
26/09/2009 07:58:14 PM
- 705 Views
I didn't think the romance was that big a part
26/09/2009 08:06:49 PM
- 548 Views
Re: I didn't think the romance was that big a part
26/09/2009 08:27:05 PM
- 553 Views
Good point
27/09/2009 10:12:04 PM
- 555 Views
Commodus, Commodus, Commodus...
28/09/2009 12:02:23 AM
- 517 Views
Depends how you define insane.
28/09/2009 01:10:34 AM
- 609 Views
I disagree.
29/09/2009 01:14:57 AM
- 554 Views
I want those two hours of my life back
*NM*
26/09/2009 09:04:49 PM
- 312 Views

!
26/09/2009 10:34:59 PM
- 546 Views
Well.
27/09/2009 12:49:08 PM
- 709 Views
And the fighting rules!
27/09/2009 05:04:12 PM
- 579 Views
If the fighting was all there is to the movie
27/09/2009 08:12:29 PM
- 618 Views
What a load of bull
27/09/2009 08:44:05 PM
- 713 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
- 328 Views
I've never seen Kingdom of Heaven
27/09/2009 04:01:38 AM
- 563 Views
You should. The supporting characters really save the film, esp Norton as the Leper King.
27/09/2009 07:05:37 AM
- 561 Views
I did it!
27/09/2009 05:06:24 PM
- 564 Views