Robb’s review published on Letterboxd:
Ham fisted pugilism, idealist grovel, or political gravy, take your pick. The business of life lately has made me feel like my past criticism has been wishy washy, and towing a middle ground in many a work. Let me set myself forward on the course of a real heartfelt decision. Gladiator is not new (even for 25 years ago) in its ideas, it’s fairly central and standard in its approach. However it’s masterful in tone. Perhaps the greatest film tonally ever made. You can feel the existential desire for glory from every moment of every scene. Even in the RIDICULOUS cuts during the action, it feels furied and pushed by real weight and real desire. This is a film about basic human want, whether that’s sexual tension or vengeance, it’s basic human id at play. Maximus deserves his vengeance. The idea of Rome is greater than its execution, and if that feels obvious turn your brain off and experience simple fruition of our shared society.
You could write many negatives about this films ubermensch philosophies, or it’s waxing poetically of an empires of old, however in my view its understanding of brotherhood outweighs its rightward tendencies. Ridley is many things, but he is not a glorifier of history, if Napolean taught you nothing. Gladiator exists for some as propaganda for ideals that were never true, and a past that isn’t honest, but I feel the films works to disprove these points based on its own plot and character. A tremendous addition, even with my gripes, to any auteur’s oeuvre.
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