User reviews

First of all, this rating is ridiculous. I remember watching Gladiator when it first came out on video and now a few times on television. No it won't win any Oscars and it's not a dramatic masterpiece but it's never boring and moves along nicely. The fight scenes are entertaining, the chemistry between Marshall and Cuba is there, and the majority of the characters are developed. The only thing that fails is the love story, but I guess every film with teens has to have one. As far as people complaining about Marshall's wooden performance, I personally liked it. Not everyone is a charismatic, everyone is drawn to me type of person. He played it low-key, brooding, quiet, somewhat anti-social and it worked. If a film like this was made today, it would be a dumbed-down PG-13 version critics would probably love because it tells the story of a kid overcoming the obstacles. Rent it if you're an action fan, you won't be disappointed.

Gladiator is a boxing movie which does more than tell you about boxing. James Marshall (A Few Good Men, Twin Peaks) stars as a young man who is forced to move to a poor neighborhood and fend for himself while his dad travels to find work and pay off his gambling debts. In order to make some money, a talented boxer, Marshall joins a crooked boxing organization. He signs up with a former fighter, perfectly played by Brian Dennehey (Tommy Boy, F/X), soon he begins to form a friendship with the top boxer in the league, well-played by Cuba Gooding Jr. (Jerry Maguire, Outbreak). After a while, the crooked boxing and an upcoming fight against a possibly brain-damaged Gooding Jr. makes Marshall re-evaluate what he's doing. Robert Loggia (Independence Day, Lost Highway) beautifully plays another crooked person involved in the organization. Ossie Davis (Doctor Dolittle, I'm Not Rappaport) gives the film a heart as Marshall's manager. Finally, Marshall delivers a strong performance that will make you cheer for him. This film's entertaining boxing scenes and good moral make it a great film

I saw this film the other night on tv, and once I started watching it, it was just too hard to stop. I'm not one to really watch boxing, but this movie was very interesting. It was nice to see the relationships between all of the characters, especially between Cuba Gooding Jr. and his best friend, and their relationship with the boxing promoter. The whole film really got me going; and as I yelled at the tv, I realized that this is a really awesome film and more people should see it.

Type "Gladiator" into any search engine for movies, and you'll get pages and pages of Russell Crowe's gladiator epic. Yet, at the bottom of those lists, you may just find this little gem that you've never heard of. If you are a fan of pugilistic big-screen experiences, this is one that at the very least will keep you entertained.

For a basic plot summary, "Gladiator" tells the story of Tommy Riley (James Marshall), a white teenage youngster who (via parental circumstances) is moved into an all-black school and neighborhood. After having enough of the constant bullying and needing money badly, Tommy is recruited into a shady boxing circuit by Pappy Jack (Robert Loggia). After befriending similar hard-luck case Lincoln Haines (Cuba Gooding Jr.), Tommy runs headlong into "big boss" Jimmy Horn (Brian Dennehy) when a huge conflict of interest rises between them.

"Gladiator", in terms of themes, is about as simple a movie as ever was made. I remember watching it off television as a kid and even then being about to follow the themes. While that simplicity keeps it from being a classic, it also makes sure that the movie ages pretty well. Whether you watching this movie in theaters in 1992 or on your flat-screen in 2014, it plays pretty much the same.

Perhaps what shines most from this movie, though, is the performance by Brian Dennehy. That is what I remembered most from the original viewing and what drew me towards finding it again. Along the way, though, I noticed great performances from Gooding Jr. and Ossie Davis as well.

If you are not a fan of boxing movies, I would say you can probably skip this one, as without an appreciate of the boxing-related themes the rest of the narrative will be a bit too simplistic to hold your interest. If you love the "sweet science", though, this one will at least entertain you with some drama and adversity themes.

I really enjoyed this movie.

This is not the cleanest or most precise movie I have ever seen in any aspect; But the camera work, acting and script were all as good as they needed to be.

I found that I really enjoyed watching the film, There was not a moment when the film dragged or failed to procceed, The fight coriography was an exciting theatrical showcase of hand-boxing.

This is a fun Action Movie.

No not that one. While I am sure that I will get to the Rusty Crowe epic at some point rehashing hundreds of big budget supposed classics doesn't interest me that much. Get online and search "swords and sandals and macho bravado" and you can read millions of pages about Gladiator – Roman style penned breathlessly by sweaty palmed fanboys.

Now wait while I dry my palms.

Today I will be breathlessly penning a review of the non Ridley Scott Gladiator film about "boxers who act with macho bravado" also called Gladiator.

This particular film fits snugly into the outmatched guy who must battle against the odds category. The pinnacle of this genre – which will likely never be bested – is Rocky, but every couple of years another film comes out that seeks to capitalise on the strength of the formula and build its own niche nestled snugly on Sylvester Stallone's bosom.

Rather than go into the usual rigmarole of "a guy walks into a boxing ring" let's tick the boxes required to satisfy a formula film.

The Guy Tommy Riley (James Marsden in chiseled glory). A young white guy in a predominantly coloured community, Tommy doesn't fit in and initially has no friends or allies.

That's a big check.

The Reason Tommy has no mother and his Dad is continually on the road or on the run depending on what you believe because of large gambling debts. Tommy must fend for himself and also cover the household costs, and ward off the heavies that the loan sharks send around to visit the old man. It seems Tommy is so dispassionate about anything and everything that he hasn't had a facial expression in years.

The Chick A schoolmate and the daughter of Tommy's employer, Tommy manages to catch the eye of the only white chick in his class.

The Shonky Agent Agent probably isn't a great word, but Pappy Jack (Robert Loggia) discovers Tommy in a streetfight and does everything he can to ensure Tommy ends up in the ring fighting for him in the dodgy no-holds-barred fight nights. Pappy Jack desperately needs a pretty face to sell to the gamblers and spectators and sees Tommy as his "Great White Hope".

The Friendly Corner-Man who just Hopes no-one gets Hurt Ossie Davis is Noah, he teaches Tommy the tricks of the trade and makes sure he has an idea of what he is up against. Why he knowingly stays in an industry with so much corruption and backstabbing is a mystery. The important thing to remember is that he just hopes no-one gets hurt! The Buddy who actually does get Hurt Initially Tommy is befriended by another young boxer, a well meaning and spirited kid named Romano. He and Tommy become friends and Tommy allows himself to care for Romano, which of course means that it is inevitable that Romano will get f*cked up by… The Bad Guy – Tier #1 The first low level bad guy is a young thug, not averse to dirty tactics or getting even outside the ring. He puts Romano in hospital as a full time vegetable.

The Buddy who Probably will cop it Tommy doesn't want to fight but does so out of desperation and necessity. Another young fighter named Lincoln though is also gifted and feels he needs boxing to get him and his family out of the ghetto. Of course they will be forced to fight each other at a time when it is least appropriate. Lincoln must fight Tommy to break into the big league, Tommy doesn't want to fight Lincoln as he has a condition where a solid blow to the head might kill him… which necessitates.

The REAL BIG BAD GUY Brian Dennehy is Mr Horne, an ex-boxer turned promoter who runs the whole operation and plays the boxers like puppets o satisfy his own ends and desires. He buys Tommy's Dad's debt and forces him into the circuit. Of course the finale pits a wounded Tommy against a crafty, devious and dirty Horne man to man.

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: I think we can safely tick all the boxes above.

There are lots of montages, plenty of boxing set to cheesy motivational 80s songs, and plenty of cheap shots – and frankly – nut shots, to make the guys say "owwww".

The finale is quite ludicrous but inevitable in these types of flicks, and good triumphs over evil as it tends to do in movies if not real life.

Final Rating – 6 / 10. As far as formula guy-against-the-odds movies goes this does the trick. It will never be known as a classic but is in the same vein as some of Van Damme's best… for what that's worth.

I think we can safely tick all the boxes above.

I am a huge fan of the sport of boxing and a big fan of boxing movies, for the most part. I have also noted on multiple occasions how good and versatile an actor Cuba Gooding JR. At this point in his career, Gooding JR was still in his early stages, but comes through like a champ in this interesting and gritty underground pugilism movie.

There are lots of montages, plenty of boxing set to cheesy motivational 80s songs. The finale is quite ludicrous but inevitable in these types of flicks, and good triumphs over evil as it tends to do in movies if not real life.

It will never be known as a classic but is in the same vein as some of Van Damme's best… If you love boxing and are a fan of the ridiculous, GLADIATOR is for you. I highly recommend it.

"Anger is the enemy."

What does every action movie need?

A nasty villian that the audience can hate, and a good, tough hero that the audience can love. If these character premises are established and the plot flows, the final confrontation between these two arch-enemies should be breath-taking and keep the audience guessing.

Gladiator does this perfectly. The boxing scenes are gripping, intense and pull the audience out of their seats to cheer for the films two heroes... Tommy Riley and Cuba. The movie has a great soundtrack and a noticeable visual style that stays constant throughout the film.

Horn (the bad guy) played by Brian Dennehy and his sidekick Pappy Jack played by Robert Loggia are a great combination of nastiness. Horn is brutally evil and rules his underground boxing contingent with an iron fist, while Pappy Jack is a sleezy, humorous villian that compliments Horn's seriousness beautifully.

The characters have some depth, but not much. Who needs depth in an action movie anyway? Tommy Riley, Cuba, and Romano's stations in life and their particular choices are explained adequately enough for the audience to sympathize with their situations and want them to kick some serious ass.

Bottomline:

A kick-ass action movie. You will find yourself cheering loudly and rewinding parts because of their sheer intensity and visual, ass-kicking style.

Gladiator (1992) Columbia DTV 101m Director: Rowdy Harrington Stars: James Marshall, Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert Loggia, Brian Dennehy

Tommy Riley is a new transfer to the slums of Chicago. Out of his element, Tommy keeps to himself but winds up caught up in the addictive world of underground fighting circuit. But the neighborhood and the elements surround him as the ring threatens to end him for good.

"Gladiator" is highly derivative and definitely unoriginal but this mixture of urban teen drama and "Rocky" has its own charm and I enjoy it. It may not be original but it has a little heart and is well done and acted. (3.5/5)/

Any movie with Ossie Davis, Robert Loggia, and Brian Dennehy is going to be watchable, and Gladiator is no exception. Unfortunately, this tale of two friends in the underground world of extreme boxing can't quite overcome either its poorly constructed screenplay or the weakness of leading men James Marshall and Cuba Gooding Jr. Of the two, Gooding is better, but Marshall is uniformly poor in the dramatic scenes, though perfectly fine in the action sequences. The film also trips up by portraying its protagonists as the least likely high school students in America--in fact, everyone attending their school looks well into their mid-20s. When Gladiator concentrates on fight scenes--or when Davis, Loggia, and Dennehy are on screen--it's a more than adequate, though predictable, boxing drama. Overall, it's a disappointment, though not entirely without merit. Approach with low expectations, and you'll be moderately satisfied.

This movie is proof that a great movie doesn't have to cost a lot of money. you just have to pick the right elements. a good story, picking the right cast, the right filming places. After seeing Cuba gooding Jr. in this movie i became a big fan of his. it's to bad thats he does these the rich guy kind of easy parts these days. this was some really good acting of him. It felt real. 1 question though. Why did an actor like James Marshall never make it big time. I like the vibe he brings to the white screen. and Robert Loggia..who doesn't like his raw, had to much whiskey kind of voice. Jon Seda, a real struggling boy in this movie, through the years he gotten even greater. keep on going the right way Jon !!!

My Final conclusion: most boxing film do not have a lot of dept. Thy this one boys...this one is definitely in my personal top 5

Tommy Riley (James Marshall), a tough white Irish kid from Bridgeport, moves with his down-and-out father to Chicago's south side. Tommy's family was up heaved by his mother's death from cancer and his father's subsequent descent into gambling and alcoholism. The new neighborhood is predominantly black and Tommy is left alone as his father pounds pavement looking for a new job. After defending himself using his Golden Gloves honed boxing skills against a local street gang called the Stormtroopers outside of a diner where he works as a dishwasher, Pappy Jack (Robert Loggia), a recruiter for an underground boxing competition, convinces Tommy to fight an unregulated amateur boxing match. Tommy agrees, seeing a quick way to make some money to help pay his father's gambling debts. Tommy enters the world of underground boxing run by sleazy promoter and former light heavyweight contender, Mr. Horne (Brian Dennehy). Horne's world is one of money, blackmail, and violence. He's also not above manipulating his young fighters like Tommy's friends, Romano (John Seda) and Lincoln (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), for a quick profit. Tommy struggles to keep above the temptations of the quick money from boxing while hanging on to his honor. Good performances all around, especially from Cuba Gooding, Jr., and an interesting take on the old underground fighting plot. Satisfying entertainment for a weekend afternoon.

Terrible acting, terrible plot, this is just a waste of time.

Through the Nineties I did my trips to the video shop to rent B movies as they were mostly better than the Hollywood ones and Gladiator is the one B Movie which stands out. If you watch it now you would compare it to the likes of Rocky and 8 Mile because of it's background set around a dead less town with nobody but dead weights.

I think James Marshall is playing his best [performance of his career which isn't didn't last that long. Cuba Gooding Jnr will be most recognised here as Lincoln. Also there is Brain Dennehy and Robert Loggia as the would be villains. Tommy Riley played by Marshall is a loner and keeps himself to himself but because of this he attracts trouble on his first day in school since moving with his father who is an addictive drunk and gambler who is sorting his life out. Tommy one night is working at the local café and is confronted outside by the local gang run by there leader Short Cut. Punches are thrown and Tommy comes better off but they are interrupted by Pappy Jack played by Robert Loggia who scouts and looks for would be Boxer hopefuls to put them into the ring in illegal boxing. To clear his father's debts he is taken in by the money that the boxing offers and as much he tries to get out of it there is always something bringing him back. Here he meets Romano and becomes friendly with Lincoln and is a household name but knows it's not long till his own brain will be crushed without repair. The man that decides everything is Horn played brilliantly by Brian Dennehy who always has something on each Boxer to continue Boxing and make him more Money than he already has. Greed has an obvious big part to play in the film but what is great to see is how all the young characters bond well as they are into the same mess as each other but know there is no other way out to make money for their families and to get by. There are scenes where you will cheer harder than you did for rocky but it's the performance as with rocky that steal the show with everyone on top form and not one bad word to be said. Films like this are not made these days so appreciate this for what it did in the nineties and also probably helped some careers especially Cuba Gooding who starred in this not much longer after Boyz N The Hood. If you get the chance then watch this as it has a story than it strong enough to better the likes of 8 Mile and has better performances and memorable characters and a the same time will make you feel good about yourself which is why gladiator is the important film that I will always remember.

I really enjoy this movie, Brian Dennehy, Robert Loggia, and I really enjoyed Cuba Gooding's movies at this time. I also enjoyed James Marshall for the most part (lots of missed potential, directed the right way, this movie could have helped him a lot with his career).

My issue is the directing, there just seems to be some lazy scene chopping in this movie, there are cuts that just don't flow together and it hurts the movie and in some cases makes the acting look bad. The soundtrack also (not that they're bad songs) is all over the place - certain song choices really don't fit with the scenes or the overall atmosphere of the movie. I am personally not a big hip hop fan, but for this movie - more of it could have elevated this movie. One minute the music is giving off a gangster vibe for the movie; then all of a sudden it's like a cheap version of a Top Gun soundtrack... It's all over the place. I would honestly love to take this movie (almost 30 years later) and simply edit the soundtrack to use more hip hop genre from that time. I truly believe that would make a huge difference and would have made a huge difference when this movie came out. This would be a great movie to use in teaching how the wrong song choices can help elevate or in this case be destructive to a movie.

The overall rating for this movie is obviously an error. I suggest that the editors of IMDb should review the ratings and make a correction. I looked at all 19 reviews, and obviously the average rating is more in the 7 range. Must be a bug in the IMDb rating calculation system.

Anyway - this is a solid and entertaining movie with a tight and fast paced script, good acting, action, a little romance, and a realistic atmosphere and depiction of the gritty underground boxing game. It's as good as any of the "Rocky" movies at a fraction of the production cost. It's a shame that it didn't gain more recognition.

I also wonder what happened to James Marshall. He's a good enough actor and "presence" to carry a leading-man role, but seemed to disappear.

A predictable boxing movie, but a lot of fun. The cast is pretty strong. Cuba Gooding Jr. is particularly good in this early role. It is not Raging Bull, but it is better than Rocky! It is worth a rental and if you are cable surfing and find it, it is worth stopping.

Gladiator (1992) was another low key movie from Hollywood. This was a starring vehicle for James Marshall, a young actor who became famous for his role in the t.v. series TWIN PEAKS. He stars as Tommy ,an angry teenager who lives with his shady father (John Heard) who's always moving from town to town due to his unethical choice of lifestyle. The local high school is a joke. But he befriends a popular kid (Cuba Gooding Jr.). After tossing hands with a couple of young punks, Tommy catches the eye of a promoter (Brian Dennehy) of an underground boxing circuit. He offers him a spot within his boxing club. Will he take it?

This was an interesting film. Not the greatest one around, just one that knows what it is and doesn't try to be anything else. I like it when films do that. Quit trying to be something you're not. Co-stars Jon Seda, Robert Loggia, Ossie Davis and Cara Buono. A good cheesy action film, nothing more.

Recommended.

It might not be on the level of the first Rocky or of Cinderella Man and it gets largely forgotten due to sharing its name with a giant epic of a movie but this is an underappreciated gem form the early 90's which I used to watch repeatedly. It's a rousing and well choreographed fight movie with a likable protagonist. Many have criticized Marshall's performance as stiff but I think it works for the character and his stoic nature. Dennehy was great as the antagonist, one of his better roles honestly. There is some cheesiness and you do get one or two montages which feel like holdouts from the 80's but this is a really good movie with a lot of heart which films from this genre seriously lack these days. Within the category of boxing films it is in my top 5 for sheer enjoyment of it.

I am sure that a lot of people picked this up thinking, as I did, they were going to see Russell Crowe. Actually I was going to watch Crowe for the third of fourth time, when this came on. I said, hey, there is snow, but where are the soldiers.

I'm really glad i made the mistake, because it was an interesting flick. No, it wasn't the excitement of the coliseum, but the excitement in the ring was just as good.

Now, I like Cuba Gooding, Jr. and I thought he did a really good job here, especially his relationship with Tommy Riley (James Marshall).

Lots of good actors here: Robert Loggia, Brian Dennehy, and Ossie Davis.

Addicted fathers, greedy promoters, toughs on the street, it had it all except a justification for the "R" rating, and a realistic ending. If it had been real, Horn would just have killed him when he lost.

"Gladiator" (1991) tells of a young down-on-his-luck student (Marshall) who takes up underground boxing to pay off his father's gambling debts. In the process he, of course, kicks everyone's butt like some kind of supercharged "Rocky" and captures the heart of the resident babe (Buono). Both Marshall and Buono turn in wooden performances while surrounded by a bunch of B-listers who all appear to be in this gig for a paycheck. Lackluster, obvious, predictable, and very ordinary, this "Gladiator" is one to miss. Now in broadcast purgatory. (C-)

Its a good movie, similar to Rocky and Rocky V but good in its own way. Also great fights and twist in the story. Deserves more recognition

This is a pretty average film with a good performance from Robert Loggia. The boxing scenes are well done, but unless you're a Loggia fan you should probably avoid this one.

After decades, I see it as a good film. For themes, sensitive ones, from the sacrifice for help the father to the illegal boxing circle, from acting ( after Twin Peaks , a real interesting work of James Marshall , impressive job of Brian Dennehy, a young Cuba Gooding jr. Proposing the fair portrait of Lincoln and, not the last, Robert Loggia ).

But the great virtue remains the 1990 atmosphere , fair defined scene by scene.

Indeed, a too used subject but , in this case, in touching manner, convincing in some measure. And, maybe, in strange way, for very subjective reasons, a memorable film for not so young public.