Parent reviews for Gladiator (2024)

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age 14+

Based on 40 parent reviews

Parent Reviews

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HcrS1310 Adult

September 19, 2022

age 14+

Wow!

This is one of my favourite ever films but is really violent can blood sprays people are decapitated, stabbed, cut in half,shot with arrows etc,etc but the violence is never lingered on great film with positive messages

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Too much violence

1 person found this helpful.

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BrigidArmbrust Adult

May 28, 2022

age 15+

1 person found this helpful.

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April 23, 2018

age 15+

Epic, Powerful, Majestic

Gladiator is a film by Ridley Scott that was hailed at the time of its release. It tells the epic story of a man who is sold into slavery after a political assassination attempt. In order to avenge his wife and child who were killed at the hands of his best friend, he has to fight to survive in gladiatorial combat. In all seriousness, there isn't too much objectionable content here outside of the violence, but the violence is very strong, and lasts throughout the whole movie. There are tons of graphic images, including a particularly bloody battle scene that opens the film. The tone is established in this scene, and the movie never lets up until the credits roll. It's a thoughtful, uplifting movie with a story to tell and a point to make, but it is still an epic action movie that is designed to thrill more than make you feel good. This film was made by DreamWorks studios, who at the time were trying to push genre boundaries with more adult animated films like Antz and the Prince of Egypt, gothically styled childrens films like Mouse Hunt, and of course, subversive dramas like American Beauty. The point of this film is to be truly spectacular, like nothing ever seen. The effects used to create the colosseum, the famous tiger fight, and some of the gorier killings are highly detailed, incorporating a mix of CGI and in-camera effects. Despite its scope and huge amounts of bloody violence, this film has more redeeming qualities to balance out the heavy material. Maximus is a bonafide hero, and Commodus is a real villain. Maximus cares about the soldiers he commands, his country, his friends, and of course, his family. Unlike the heroes in many sword and sandals epics, Maximus doesn't take pleasure in war. He doesn't enjoy killing, and he doesn't think of anyone differently because of who they are. The movie makes a point that the needless violence and bloodshed of the Roman Gladiators was extreme, and the fact that people took pleasure in seeing bloodshed as a sport is incredibly messed up. This happens in one of the films most memorable scenes, with one of the greatest monologues on film. Maximus is inspirational, and in my opinion, someone that many of us should try to be more like. On the other hand, this movie has true evil. The plot is set in motion when the emperor decides to will his power to Maximus so that the senate can be restored, but his jealous son Commodus kills him. Commodus is incredibly slimy. He does anything to get what he wants. He doesn't play fair, and there is a creepy, rapey subplot of him trying to get with his sister. There is no grey zone in this movie. Either you are a hero, or you are a villain, and in a time where one of the only ways to keep action movies fresh and intriguing is to screw with the morality of the characters, it is honestly refreshing to see a movie where the hero has pure morals get the attention it deserves. Personally, I don't think Gladiator deserves its R-rating. However, that doesn't mean everyone should watch it. The violence can be quite heavy, and for anyone younger than 13, it can be really disturbing. This movie is special because it isn't tailor made for any crowd. It's not designed to be a tentpole action film for teenagers, and it's not designed to be a disturbing drama for adults. It's somewhere in between, and because of that, I recommend that you preview it before showing it to anyone who is younger than 15.

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Great role models
  • Too much violence
  • Too much sex

1 person found this helpful.

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Fghh H. Parent of 12-year-old

September 1, 2024

age 11+

Bit much in the fake blood.

Oh goodness, what to say about this movie I watched this movie when I was 11 years old and I loved it! The battle scenes are amazing and although not very accurate, it is still a great watch for nerds and history buffs alike

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Too much violence

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Patrick C. Adult

August 17, 2024

age 12+

Really good

Really good, but violent. I’d say 13 or up.

This title has:

  • Educational value
  • Great role models

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Theo Toms Parent of 11, 13 and 15-year-old

March 10, 2024

age 13+

Appropriate for 13s.

Quite violent and not for younger kids, but kids 13+ (or from about 11 that don’t mind abit of blood and gore) I think would really like it, my two eldest love it, generally great movie just violent.

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Great role models
  • Too much violence

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Arcadia K. Parent of 9 and 12-year-old

January 22, 2022

age 11+

A Movie About Honor that Exceeds the Gore

This is a great movie that contains excellent morals. While there is lots of violence and fighting, still in the end there is a great message about honor, mercy, and glory. The gladiator scenes are exciting to watch. There is a lot of blood and heads being decapitate which might not be approbated for young kids who can't handle blood, but it is a great movie.

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Great role models
  • Too much violence

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Ammy81 Adult

July 12, 2021

age 13+

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Great role models
  • Too much violence

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MannyReviews Adult

May 3, 2021

age 13+

An amazing movie, that tells how gladiators really lived

This movie has barely any language, a couple sexual jokes, but it does have some violence. Nothing too bad, just some blood from swords, and one scene where it shows the feet of maximus´ burned and hanged wife and child. A great performance by jaquin pheonix and russel crowe!

This title has:

  • Great messages
  • Great role models
  • Too much violence

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Laura_D Adult

April 8, 2021

age 13+

One of the Best Movies Ever! (Violent)

This movie is definitely very violent, the beginning is not violent at all there's just a lot of violence in the middle as Maximus is climbing the ranks as a fighter but after this sequence of him fighting it tames down. So maybe have your kids just cover their eyes during fight scenes. Language is nothing to worry about, and there is one kind of disturbing scene where a character tries to seduce his own sister (You can just skip it). Other than that it's basically just violence.

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Parent reviews for Gladiator (2024)

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