Gladiator | Revisiting Ridley Scott's Oscar Winning Classic | Gen Wars Review

Are you not entertained?! Well…we hope you will be, because the Gen Wars crew — Nick, Cam, Stephen, and Katherine, are diving sword-first into Ridley Scott’s iconic 2000 historical epic Gladiator, starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Djimon Hounsou, and the legendary Oliver Reed in his final on-screen role.

This week, our Gen X warriors (Nick & Cam) and our Millennial champions (Katherine & Stephen) ask the real question:
Does Gladiator still hold up 25 years later, even the extended edition that stole 15 minutes of everyone’s life?
Movie Summary

Set in the dying days of the Roman Empire, Gladiator follows Maximus Decimus Meridius, Rome’s most trusted general, who is betrayed by the newly crowned emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix in full “please don’t marry your sister” mode). Stripped of title and freedom, Maximus is forced into the brutal world of gladiatorial combat, fighting his way across the empire not just for survival, but for vengeance, justice, and the chance to return to the wheat fields of home.

Directed by Ridley Scott, scored by Hans Zimmer, and packed with practical effects, massive sets, real tigers (yes, really), and some of the most quoted lines in cinema history, Gladiator stands tall as one of Hollywood’s most ambitious epic dramas. And no, it’s not based on a previous IP, but it is inspired by real Roman emperors, legends, and enough historical chaos to make your high-school history teacher sweat.

What the Hosts Brought to the Arena

Nick wonders if Russell Crowe is actually a Spaniard or just a well-oiled cement mixer with a sword.
Cam drinks a gallon of Haterade and still scores the movie higher than expected.
Katherine absolutely thrives on historical dramas, period pieces, tiger trivia, and pointing out how unhinged Commodus really was.
Stephen is shocked to discover that this 25-year-old film is what Hollywood should look like in 2024, and also shocked that he apparently hadn’t seen it before buying a “signed” copy from his “buddy Ridley Scott.”


In this episode we cover:
Gladiator (2000) full review
The extended edition — was it worth the extra 15 minutes?
The cast, filmmaking, behind-the-scenes trivia, and Russell Crowe almost getting mauled by a real tiger
Ridley Scott’s direction & Hans Zimmer’s iconic score
Joaquin Phoenix’s deeply uncomfortable sibling energy
Why Cam is allergic to long movies
Why Stephen now thinks every movie needs a wheat field and Zimmer score


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Tell us in the comments:
Should we suffer through Gladiator II next?
What “epic” should we battle in the arena of generational opinions?

And don’t forget to:
LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, RING THE BELL, AND WATCH OUT FOR TIGERS.



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Chapters
00:00 - Gladiator Review
44:17 - Final Scores

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