Starring
Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Derek
Jacobi, Djimon Hounsou, Richard Harris. Directed by Ridley Scott.
(2000/155 min - Theatrical
cut / 170 min - Extended
Cut)
FROM
PARAMOUNT
Review
by Tiger the Terribleđ¸
This
isn't the first time Gladiator has been released on 4K, nor is
it the first SteelBook edition. This is, however, the first time it's
available as a 4K SteelBook. And although it comes with more
bonus content dedicated to a single movie than any disc I've ever
reviewed, none of it is new.
But
it did nab a batch of Oscars and is generally considered a modern
classic. Surely some kind of commemoration is in order for its 20th
Anniversary and this version is more aesthetically
pleasing than the previous SteelBook, which had the same ol' cover
art as every other Blu-ray and DVD release. As far as the bonus
content and technical aspects go, there was really no room left for
improvement and any new bonus features would probably be an exercise
in redundancy (what's already here flirts with that, anyway).
Though
I personally think Gladiator is a tad overpraised, it's the
kind of big, bold historical epic only Mel Gibson was making at the
time and certainly one of Ridley Scott's best looking films since
Thelma & Louise, particularly the first half. I especially
love the opposing color palates of the Germanic battle sequence and
the grungy arenas where Maximus (Russell Crowe) fights for his life.
Scott even appears to have taken a few cues from younger brother Tony
for the hyperkinetic – and bloody - action scenes.
 |
| "Joey...do you like movies about gladiators?" |
Like
previous editions, this set features both the theatrical and extended
cuts of the film. Personally speaking once again, I don't think the
15 additional minutes of the extended cut enhance the story in any
meaningful way, but at least they're here for those those who can't
get enough, as well as superlative technical specs and an exhausting
amount of bonus goodies. If you've never added Gladiator
to your shelf, the 20th Anniversary Edition is a good as it gets. But
if you already have it on 4K, time to decide if the new packaging is
worth double-dipping for.
EXTRA
KIBBLES
4K,
BLU-RAY & DIGITAL COPIES
THEATRICAL
CUT & EXTENDED CUT
"THE
SCROLLS OF KNOWLEDGE” - Watching the film with this option lets
you jump to brief informational featurettes related to that
particular scene. You can also view them separately.
"VISIONS
OF ELYSIUM” - A massive collection of brief featurettes
– running anywhere from 1-10 minutes – covering virtually every
aspect of the film. I didn't bother to count, but there must a couple
hundred of them. And if that isn't enough...
"STRENGTH
AND HONOR: CREATING THE WOLRD OF GLADIATOR” -
...this is 3-hour, seven-chapter documentary. And if that
isn't enough...
"IMAGE
AND DESIGN” - ...this five-part feature detailing things like
storyboards, costumes & production design, weapons. A combination
of interviews and photo galleries. Many of these are also offered in
“Visions of Elysium.”
"THE
AURELLIAN ARCHIVES” - Even more making-of featurettes, trailers
& TV spots, interviews, “My Gladiator Journal” by
Spencer Treat Clark (who plays Lucius); “An Evening with Russell
Crowe” (a pretty funny audience Q&A). Segments of some
featurettes are also offered in “Visions of Elysium.”
"ABANDONED
SEQUENCES & DELETED SCENES”
AUDIO
COMMENTARIES – By director
Ridley Scott & Russell Crowe (Extended cut); By director
Ridley Scott, editor Pietro Scalia & cinematographer John
Mathieson (Theatrical cut).
RIDLEY
SCOTT INTRODUCTION – Optional introduction to the extended cut
by the director.
KITTY CONSENSUS:
PURR-R-R...LIKE A GOOD SCRATCH BEHIND THE EARS.
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