Thursday, March 11, 2010

Favorite Fictional Character--Gladiator (Maximus)

Okay, I'm late...as usual! FFC is a weekly meme created by Ryan at Wordsmithonia.

I have been watching the excellent television show, Spartacus: Blood and Sand on STARZ lately so I was inspired this week to do my FFC on a character from one of my favorite movies, Gladiator (2000).  Maximus Decimus Meridius is a general in the Roman army under Emperor Marcus Aurelius.  Aurelius has an heir, Commodus, but he is a morally bankrupt person and so he decides to make Maximus, a moral and honorable man, a temporary leader with plans to return full power of governing to the Roman Senate.  However, Commodus has other plans. 

SPOILER WARNING:

He murders his father and accuses Maximus.  Maximus escapes and Commodus has his wife and child killed.  Maximus, a broken man after finding out the fate of his family, is captured and sold into slavery.  He is purchased by the head of a gladiator school and so his fate is sealed.  He is a gladiator from this day forward.

I will not go any further with the plot, but I wanted to flesh out the beginning to give an idea of what kind of character we have in Maximus.  For him, life as he knows it is over.  It died with his family.  So he has no fear in the gladiatorial ring.  He is a formidable foe to everyone he faces and he begins to gain quite a following in the public circle and the political arena.  Of course, this leads to more unwelcome attention by Commodus and things build to an inevitable climax.

What I like about Maximus is his morality.  He doesn't cave to the various temptations that can come along with the life of a famous gladiator.  His main objective is to bring to fruition the wishes of his former Emperor, Marcus Aurelius...to restore the power of government to the Roman Senate and therefore, to the hands of the people.  You will have to watch the movie to see if he succeeds or not!

Side note:  This was Russell Crowe at his hottest! While he is still a nice-looking man, he has never attained this level of hotness since.  I'm waiting for Robin Hood to see if he can get it back! *fingers crossed*

10 comments:

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  1. O I LOVE me some Russell. But I think his hottest for me was Proof of Life :)

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  2. I have to admit I never watched Gladiator but definitely want to.

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  3. I think Robin Hood is going to be wonderful! Seen a preview this past week.

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  4. Love this movie and the character. Your pick is fantastic this week. He was his hottest in this one.

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  5. Juju--yeah, he was cute in Proof of Life too.

    Robyn--definitely see it...it's a must!

    Sheila--I can't wait to see it!

    Ryan--Thanks! I enjoyed revisiting the film in my mind!

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  6. Now, you're talkin'. Russell Crowe - Hotness Maximus!

    Am I geek if I say that I paid to see him in concert? Yeah, he sings.

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  7. My boys would definitely have to agree with you on this one!

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  8. StephanieD--Yeah, he is a pretty good singer at that!

    Lisa-- =O)

    Thanks for stopping by girls!

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  9. You may be late in posting, but I am really late in commenting. I think I am 3 days behind now. :( Oh well, I will have to work hard to get caught up.

    This sounds like a great pick this week. Wonderful character!

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  10. I'm very excited about Robin Hood. That was my favorite movie when I was a kid.

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