Comparison Between Gladiator And Apollo 13 Essay Example
Comparison Between Gladiator And Apollo 13 Essay Example

Comparison Between Gladiator And Apollo 13 Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (781 words)
  • Published: December 6, 2017
  • Type: Film Analysis
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Apollo 13 and Gladiator take place in vastly different time periods, separated by over two thousand years. Apollo 13 is set in the 1970s, while Gladiator is set during the brutal times of ancient Rome, before Christ.

Apollo 13 and Gladiator have distinct genres. While Apollo 13 recounts a factual account of a failed lunar expedition, Gladiator is a Roman-themed action adventure movie that hasn't been screened in cinemas for a long time. The film features violent battles and is directed by Ridley Scott.

Under the corrupt and incestuous heir to the throne, Roman general Maximus is forced into slavery before becoming a skilled gladiator, ultimately leading him to Rome and the coliseum where he seeks vengeance against the new emperor. Ron Howard helms the film Apollo 13, taking place less than a year after man first walked on the moon. Despite

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being perceived as a "routine" space flight by the American public, a critical moment arises with the iconic words spoken across the vast emptiness of space: "Houston we have a problem."

In a space ship 205,000 miles away from earth, astronauts Jim Lovell, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert face a desperate fight for survival. Meanwhile, at Mission Control, astronaut Ken Mattingly and a heroic ground crew race against time to bring them home. While both movies feature impressive special effects, Gladiator stands out with its detailing of Rome's scenic views including the Coliseum and other iconic Roman buildings. Additionally, Hans Zimmer's composition for the music in Gladiator complements the scenes perfectly, adding tension to battle scenes and goosebumps to viewers' necks.

While both Gladiator and Apollo 13 depict acts of courage and bravery in the

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pursuit of saving lives, their approaches differ. Gladiator's Maximus engages in a battle for survival, fighting against enemies and seeking revenge against Emperor Commodus using lethal weapons in the arena. Alternatively, the crew in Apollo 13 demonstrate ingenuity by creating technologies to return safely to Earth after their spaceship becomes damaged. Unlike Gladiator, there are no enemies present in Apollo 13, and everyone on board survives.

Although Apollo 13 is a true story and Gladiator is a work of fiction, both films incorporate factual elements. In Gladiator, for instance, realistic treatment of people, buildings, and corruption are present. The film also features religious beliefs and superstitions - like Maximus rubbing dirt from the ground into his hands before each battle. Meanwhile, Apollo 13 primarily focuses on science and portrays its setting at the time. This is in contrast to Gladiator which showcases the vast scenic areas of the Roman Empire. Lastly, while the majority of Gladiator takes place in these scenic locations, Apollo 13 mainly occurs within the spaceship's claustrophobic environment that is surrounded by space's endlessness.

Both Apollo 13 and Gladiator depict different journeys. Apollo 13 showcases the voyage of Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigert - the team on the Apollo 13 - as they travel towards the moon. In contrast, Gladiator follows Maximus' evolution from a general to a slave, a slave to a gladiator, and ultimately, a gladiator defying an empire. Like Jim Lovell, who left his family for the mission to the moon, Maximus also leaves his family to fight battles in Germania. Hence, both protagonists face similar situations where their families worry for their safety.

Jim Lovell celebrates his achievement

and reunites with his relieved family. Conversely, Maximus is murdered on orders of Emperor Commodus. Nevertheless, he meets his family in the afterlife.

Gladiator portrays a world where life has little value, as slaves are mistreated and gladiators are slain without regard. Spectators pay to witness death in the arena, deciding who perishes and who survives with a thumbs up or down. Conversely, in the 1970s film Apollo 13, millions of dollars are spent to ensure the safety of the crew aboard their spacecraft following an explosion. The audience watches in hope and prayer for the crew to make it back alive.

There was a great celebration when people survived in both films, which take place in two superpowers of their respective eras. In Gladiator, Rome is depicted as a superpower with its Coliseum and military might.

The movie Apollo 13 depicts America as a world superpower due to its missions to the moon. Both this movie and another feature male characters as both heroes and villains, with female characters often being portrayed as weak and crying frequently. This reflects the societal roles assigned to women during this time period and their limited supporting roles in both films.

Men are more attracted to both movies due to their action, adventure and space themes. Personally, I find Gladiator more thrilling as it features larger scale scenes, superior graphics and impressive fight sequences. In contrast, Apollo 13 relies heavily on technical knowledge and problem-solving.

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