Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.

It’s sentimental, ridiculously long and only occasionally funny

I'm glad to read all the positive reviews about "Gladiator," as it truly is one of the finest boxing films out there. Great location shooting is one of the movie's strong points; the streets of Chicago look truly mean and cold, and the school that Tommy Riley has to attend looks more like a prison. Director Rowdy Herrington creates a world that is threatening, from the school gangs, to the nasty loan sharks who are after Tommy's father, and the brutal world of illegal boxing, which is a scene that has little to do with the legitimate sport of boxing. Coming from the affluent suburbs, Tommy has to adapt fast to the violent South Side Chicago scene, and being white doesn't help his situation. He finds some good friends in Lincoln and Romano. The three friends all become involved in the underground boxing tournaments, all for their own personal reasons, and soon find themselves in bad situations. It's nice to see an R rated boxing film, that doesn't shy away from the violence. Underground boxing is a truly violent sport, as there are no rules in the ring. It is boxing without honor or pity. The result is some surprisingly bloody matches. Fantastic, pulsating soundtrack perfectly evokes the time of the early 90's as does the accurate street style clothing of the time. I especially like the character Romano, a wise cracking, energetic Cuban boxer, always optimistic as he plans out his bright future as a professional fighter, that doesn't turn out the way he hopes. On a side note, I was very lucky to find the leather coat that the Romano character wears in one scene, in a shop that sells costumes and clothing worn in films. Every time I wear it I feel some of Romano's positive energy and it brightens my day. Anyway, I recommend this awesome boxing movie to fans, as it's one of the best. This is not glossy, soap opera junk like the lousy "South Paw," but rather the real deal..a tough fight film that does not pull it's punches.

We all have our favourite movies which the critics panned, and this is one of mine. Is it a bad movie, well I didn't think so as it isn't that complicated to follow, and it isn't that far fetched, it tells us a story of two young men living in the slums who find themselves trapped in the dark world of illegal unlicensed boxing, one who wants a better life and the other who has been forced into fighting to pay off his fathers gambling debts. But this is more than a boxing movie, its more of a gangster movie, minus the gun violence, showing how organised crime and gangs have exploited the people who live in the poorer areas for their own gain. The boxing scenes were some of the more violent I've seen, but then this was unlicensed boxing were anything goes. One of the funnier scenes I enjoyed was seeing Brian Dennehy's character, ex- boxer Jimmy Horn teach an arrogant young boxer a lesson he wouldn't forget. The critics may have disliked this movie but on this occasion I disagree with them.

I remember getting advance tickets to this the year it was released. A friend and I went along to see it not knowing what to expect. We knew absolutely nothing about the film. Sometimes this can be the best way to experience a film and occasionally you discover a cinema gem, like this one.The film is about Tommy Riley (James Marshall), a teenager who is forced to move with his father from Bridgeport to a run down, troubled part of Chicago. Once there he discovers that his father is in debt to a loan shark. He is then drawn into a world of underground boxing to pay his father's debt.The boxing scenes are well shot and choreographed, the cast including James Marshall, Cara Buono, Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert Loggia, Ossie Davis, John Heard & Brian Dennehy really make the movie. If it wasn't for their performances the movie wouldn't be half the movie it is. Robert Loggia & Brian Dennehy are great if a little over the top, but the over the top performances work in this film. But it is James Marshall as the lead that gives the film the humanity it needs. His portrayal of the troubled teen forced to fight is great. However the standout performance has to go to Cuba Gooding Jr. He stands out in this film as a true rising star. Unfortunately a few years later after he won an Oscar for his performance in Jerry Maguire he seemed to give up on the more challenging roles.This film should be more well known, but it seemed to fall under most people's radar. A shame as it is a very entertaining film. For pure entertainment this is one of the better films released in 1992. If you like boxing films then this one is definitely one for you.

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.