Movie Reviews

Gladiator – 4K UHD Blu-ray Review

Synopsis

Featuring the theatrical and extended edition, this Academy Award winning film depicts the story of a brave general, Maximus Decimus Meridius, who was forced into slavery, emerged as a gladiator and defied the Roman empire. Directed by Ridley Scott, the vivid tale is epically told with large battle scenes and tender moments of love. Not many films these days can be called epic in scale, but Gladiator is certainly one of the best tales of its kind in the last 20 years.

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Specifications
Paramount Studios
(2000) 2018, 2160p with Dolby Vision and DTS:X, Rated R, 2 hours and 34 minutes (theatrical version),
2.35:1 Aspect Ratio, 3 Disc set included BD Version and Extras.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Oliver Reed, Joaquin Pheonix, Richard Harris and Djimon Hounsou
Directed by: Ridley Scott

Rating

Entertainment:
Video:
Audio:

Violence: Yes
Sex: No
Language: Mild

Commentary

Scott usually makes “big” pictures, and by that, I mean big in scope if not in length. This film has great characters and the opening battle sequence against the Germanic tribes introduces our main character and puts the viewer in lock-step with his thoughts and actions. The rest of the movie is more than a man of honor that has been wronged and seeks revenge, but in a similar vein as Braveheart, the man grows and leads his fellow gladiators into a quest that is bigger than themselves. The scenes of Rome are spectacular, and the arena fights are up close and personal. Needless to say, when Maximus asks the crowd if they are being “entertained”, your response will be to the very end. This is a film you will never grow tired of viewing.

Technical

Rescanned in 4K with a 4K DI, Gladiator looks as good as I remember in the theater. The HDR makes the picture look stunning with rich primaries and exquisite details in the texture of the clothing and stone surfaces. Skin tones are spot on and the contrast is inky black and makes the picture look very 3D. Flames and other specular highlights look amazing. I was afraid that the CGI might not look as real, but it holds up well, especially the CGI tigers. The UHD version of this film is the new standard. Recommended!

The first 20 minutes of the film has a cooler color palette, but the scenes in Rome are dazzling bright and warm. The sound is demo quality with all the speakers engaged almost entirely throughout the film. Whether clanging swords are the roar of the crowd, it is all enveloping. The musical score by Hans Zimmer is every bit as epic as the film.

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Extras

These include: Ridley Scott introduction, the extended version of the film, Commentaries, Scrolls of Knowledge: commentaries and deleted scenes, Visions of Elysium, Strength and Honor-the world of Gladiator, Image and Design, storyboard and photo gallery, Deleted scenes, and much more.

Jim Milton

Jim Milton has been interested in high fidelity since his college years in the late 70's. It was there that he first became interested in classical music. He has been part of choral music, both in opera and oratorio and is an avid collector of classical music from the Baroque through the Romantic periods. He enjoys an occasional night at Boston Symphony Hall or attending an organ concert at Merrill Auditorium in Portland, ME. Currently he is the director of Nuclear Medicine at the North Shore Medical Center, located just outside of Boston. He also serves as an adjunct professor for Salem State University where he teaches a course in nuclear instrumentation. During his leisure time, he enjoys listening to his music collection and an occasional movie with his wife of 30+ years. Living on the longest stretch of sandy beach north of Boston offers him plenty of opportunities to take a relaxing stroll or soak up some sun. "Remember, acquiring good A/V gear takes lots of time...but doesn't necessarily take lots of money."

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