Gladiator Extended Edition (DVD Review)

I'd put a quote in from this movie, but there's no memorable dialogue: "On my command unleash hell" - what kind of crap is that? There's also no screen caps. There are only a couple of references in the commentary to new footage and I was too lazy to go back and find it. Bad luck.

Ridley Scott makes it quite clear in his otherwise pointless introduction to this set (why do filmmakers insist on doing these things? or at least put some zing into it like Kevin Smith or Joss Whedon) that this is not his Director's Cut. That was the theatrical version. So why did they do this version? Realistically, it was probably done to make the otherwise stupendous 3 disc set more viable to a consumer who had already purchased the solid 2 disc version back when it was first released.

I finally understand this film. No scratch that, I always understood the flick, just couldn't really grasp it on a grandiose emotional level of Rusty's inevitable journey to come back together with his family.

The commentary is solid, but I think I prefer Ridley's solo commentaries. They're more introspective and contemplative. His commentary for the theatrical cut is possibly better also - the advantage to recording a commentary so soon after filming is that anecdotes are still fresh in your mind, the disadvantage is that it's hard to objective about a film's faults. So by that rational, this new commentary is more level-headed and both are intelligent speakers. The problem is (surprise, suprise, not) is that Crowe comes across as an aggressive snob who keeps talking over Ridley (who seems to take it in stride). Who'd have thought that?

The jewel of this DVD is the documentary on disc 3 (which as per DVD regulations has been broken up into a million pieces but has the convenient handy dandy PLAY ALL option. Christ lawyers are pendatic!) which in some ways is actually better than the movie itself (at least better than the Extended Edition, which was otherwise unnecessary). Every aspect of production is drooled over with intense concentration by DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika. Focus is put on the writing process, Oliver Reed, the weapons and the production. For once in a doco, effects get pushed to the back - everyone raise your hands if you're bloody sick of seeing a) people talking in front of a computer monitor or b) a performer dressed up with silly dots on and running all over the place or for that matter c) a performer attached to wires jumping up and down and all over the place. We know how it's done, Hollywood! Christ knows you've shown us enough times.

This DVD is recommended. Don't buy it. The last thing we wanna do is tell the dicks in Hollywood that extended editions sell. They need to get it right the first time. It's a solid rental.