jasonmcguire-17134
Did you like the movie gladiator? it's not watered down or drawn on. it's the movie in detail. a story of life as a slave, a fighter a gladiotar. all the training, hardship and period politics of rome all well done. great acting some awesome secondary characters and a mostly true story - i verified the facts btw. can't ask for more
keelhaul-80856
The Good= Spartacus delivers! When I saw the first episode, I was hooked. Yes, it had the cheesy 300 CGI, but it had the awesome messenger of the Persians and plenty of action! Spartacus is full of blood, gore, sex, and profanity. This is NOT a show for your kids. However, it isn't supposed to be! There are plenty of other themes and conflicts going on with the plots and subplots to give this show credibility, besides the violence/sex. Many people complain about that--"the show is just boobs and blood". Well, it has plenty of those, and maybe a bit too much, but the actors and script are amazing for such a show. Each episode is better than many actual movies in theaters. I can forgive the CGI blood, the overused naked people, gay love affairs, etc. when the script and historical setting are this well-written and interesting. Overall, a fantastic and bold show that I have longed to see on TV since I was a kid.The Bad= Some of the dialogue is funny, and borders on absurdity, with all the F-bombs and 4 letter words. However, I assume the writers are trying to make it realistic to today's viewers who hear the same banter in daily life, and we are to assume that this is just a rendition of whatever crude profanity and insults they might have used. The CGI is cheesy, I admit, but probably works easier with their budget and production. I can deal with it, as much of it is done for effect or even to change to the next scene, after a deadly gladiator match. To me, the pros far outweigh the cons for this show, as long as you can deal with adult subjects and nudity/violence.The Ugly= So sad that Andy Whitfield died, and had to be replaced, as well as Naevia. The creators did a GREAT job, however, of throwing out a short prequel season that ended up being as good or arguably better than the regular seasons. Gannicus was introduced as the total bad- ass that he was, and we got to see the beginnings of the devious Batiatus and the deadly Oenameus.
Konrad Schwoerke
Like its Spartacus predecessors (Gods of the Arena, Blood and Sand, and Vengeance), War of the Damned's meager merits are vastly outweighed by its pornographic aspect. I'm not so much talking about the all-too-frequent gratuitous sex and nudity as I am the inescapable over-the-top violence and gore. Not only are these incredibly unrealistic, as is nearly everything else in this series, but it's highlighted in such a way as to appeal to our very basest nature. Sadly, I can only imagine this being enjoyable for those who would voyeuristically delight in an actual gladiatorial contest.
