Common Problems of Hollywood Epic Movies

Brain 2021-10-13 13:06:14

I watched the 2000 "Gladiator" again on HBO in a bath. It has won 4 Oscars including Best Picture, and is considered the last climax of the epic trend of the end of the century in Hollywood set off by "Brave Heart". After it, the epic film has a weak successor, and Oscar's taste has turned to social issues.

The names of the Roman emperors in the film, Marco Aurelius and Commodore, can ascertain their times. In the era of the "Five Sage Emperors", the Roman emperors inherited them by adopting their sons as the prince. The old emperor Marco Aurelius in the film was the last of the "Five Sage Emperors". He was not in history. For example, in the film, he wanted to choose a talented person as the king and was murdered by his son, but he made his son Kang Maode the crown prince. The protagonist Maximus, played by Russell Crowe, is not a real person. It is probably derived from a complex of Marco Aurelius’s beloved generals, Spartacus, and the slave who strangled Commode. Rome did not originate from the republic, as he said, but from the era of royal politics, but the Senate did exist from the beginning, and Rome did not restore the republic after the death of Commodore. In fact, the Roman Republic was based on the contradictions of slavery and the uprisings continued to be torn apart. After the iron-fisted Octavian defeated Anthony, the whole of Rome was unified and stabilized. It can be said that the monarchy was conducive to the stability of the country at that time. In addition, the Christianity that Maximus believed in in the film was mostly circulated among civilians and slaves at that time, which was illegal, and it was unlikely that the love of the Roman emperor would be his followers.

The biggest advantage of Hollywood epic films, like other Hollywood blockbusters, is big investment and unparalleled industrial production, but at the same time, American romanticization with a prominent plot is inevitable. And the plot of this film can be said to be quite American-style clichés: simple and straightforward court conspiracies, megatrons, but the protagonist who only focuses on his wife and children, flying misfortunes and injustices, lives everywhere in another field, encounters with enemies, revenges, dreams of a wife Well, this set of plots is not as good as "Bin Xu" more than 50 years ago. The characters are flat, and there are no feelings that span a thousand years. Some are just American values. This is also a common problem in Hollywood epic films. This film is a turning point for Hollywood epic films. Since then, it has gone downhill and has become less popular with audiences and the industry.

To say that "Gladiator" is special, in addition to the glorious visual spectacle of ancient Rome with a neoclassical style and the romantic soundtrack, it should show the fierce cruelty of the gladiatorial scene, which is fascinating. The section that Maximus led the gladiators to fight the chariot was particularly exciting, and the final battle with Commod was also exciting due to the sound and light effects. The larger the screen, the better the effect.

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Extended Reading
  • Dedric 2021-10-20 18:58:07

      The most beautiful homecoming scene I have ever seen, a real man.

  • Kallie 2022-04-24 07:01:01

    Sometimes the story of a slave turning into a general, although there are many movies of the same type, still looks very shocking. But the same is true of history. If there is oppression, there will be resistance. The people who resist will always have a leader, and each person who acts as a leader has his own advantages.

Gladiator quotes

  • Gracchus: But the Senate IS the people, sire. Chosen from AMONG the people. To speak FOR the people.

    Commodus: I doubt if any of the people eat so well as you, Gracchus. Or have such splendid mistresses, Gaius.

  • Maximus: Strength and honor.