The second figure in the LEGO Minifigures Series 5 is the Gladiator. This figure was released in 2011, retailed for three dollars, and includes 7 pieces. So let's take a closer look!

On top, we have that amazing mask piece, which is the best part of the figure. That piece was very new to the figure, and it's amazingly complex for 2011. I actually want to break down all its details, so we can appreciate all its complexity. So first, we have the holes on the front of his mask, which looks like they were a pain to mould. I also love how that lip hangs down from the holes. That fin on top looks sweet as well. Also, the colour its caste in is brilliant, being that slick and shiny metallic gold colour. That looks so gorgeous, if you ask me, and all around, that mask is my favourite part of this whole figure.

Next is his face, and you can't see it in this picture due to the mask, so you'll have to take my word for it. He has a very angry expression, with some barred teeth, and he also has a black stubble. It is a very expressive face, and I love how LEGO put lots of detail into something that isn't barely even seen.

Next is his torso and arms. That torso has some really cool printing, with the brown armour, and the straps look good as well. I also love the yellow muscles under it all. Unfortunately, he has no back torso printing, which really stinks, if you ask me. But there is one detail that I really love. The arm holding the sword actually has some very nice armour printing on it! Normally I would be disappointed that the other arm has none, and I am a little. But on the other hand, it is accurate to real gladiators to have armour on one arm, so that's pretty cool, if you ask me.

Next is his legs, which have some pretty cool printing as well. I love how the brown armour printing carries from the torso down into the legs, and I also like how some yellow skin is showing. He has a tad bit of side leg printing, being some yellow flesh, but I kind of wish he had more side printing. Oh, well.

And lastly, we have his accessories, which are both awesome. That shield is pretty cool in its dark grey colouring, however I do wish it had printing. That sword looks great as well, but don't be fooled by that image; it's completely caste in dark grey, so the picture is pretty inaccurate, with the silver printing that simply isn't on the real thing. It actually looks a little bad in real life, but it's nothing a silver sharpie can't fix up.

And that's it for this figure! Overall, this is a really great figure for 2011. Again, I love almost every figure in Series 5, so it isn't much surprise that I love this figure as well. The printing all around him is pretty good, and his accessories aren't bad either; but the best part of this figure by far is that very amazing mask piece. That piece would be cool to get nowadays, but it was even more revolutionary in 2011. So all in all, while, like all other Series 5 CMF's, it may not be worth three dollars, it's still a fantastic figure.

And as always, thanks for reading!

One word: AWESOME. It would be cool to get two in a packet though as someone else said...

Pros:

1. Awesome helmet!

2. Pointy sword

3. Cool face, to match the fact he's probably going to fighting lions in a MOC

4. Armor (printed) on legs, body, and arm!

5. Goes good with history MOCs

Cons:

1. Needs shield printing

2. Gladiator sandals printed on legs?

3. It would be cool to get two in a packet

When I first saw the gladiator I knew that it was one of the must-have minifigures of series 5. With the incredible helmet and other detailing I knew it would be brilliant and might rival the spartan warrior.

Accessories

The sword is a new mold and represents the period better. It is a dark grey colour that is the same colour as dragon knight helmets and looks really cool. The shield is the same colour as the sword and is the same mold as the spartan warrior. The helmet is the best part of the minifigure. It has an incredibly detailed mold with shiny bronze colouring that makes this helmet very striking. The accessories for this minifigure are great.

Head

The head is well detailed shows a concentrated face with lots of stubble and a growing moustache. It helps make the gladiator's character perfect.

Torso

The torso shows straps and a big belt that goes arcross his waist. Also it shows parts of his bare chest. When I built this minifigure one of the things that surprised me was the armour on his right arm. This minifigure has plates of armour on his right arm that look fantastic and again, helps build the character. Unfortunately there is no back printing and it just shows a bare back.

Legs

The legs show some boots and pants that would have been worn back in the day with good detailing. There is not much to talk about them except that they need the torso to look good.

Summary

This minifigure is well worth hunting for among the sea of collectible minifigures. It is my favourite minifigure at the time of writing. I recommend it to fans of collectible minifigures, gladiators and lego warriors in general.

The minifigure.

This little guy has tons of detail. He has one of the toughest faces in LEGO warrior history and I am happy that LEGO took some time to pay attention to details with this one. Many of the historic minifigs are in fact very detailed and quite accurate (apart from the horn-helmet Viking). The printing on legs and arm are sweet.

Of course, the big draw is the cool helmet. It looks just grand and has a nice bronze colouring to it. His small Roman Gladius sword is cool, quite sharp at the end, actually. What I find a bit disappointing is the plain shield. I get it, that it's perhaps cheaper and simpler to include a "normal" shield. However, the gladiator would have looked a bit sharper if he had a more detailed shield to go with the detailed helmet, body and the cool sword. That's about my complaint, really. Otherwise it's just an A1 this figure, this.

An idea.

Included in this bag is the sword and the helmet, which will be your key things to look for if you are feeling your way through the bags. That trick provided me with 4 of these guys (not to mention they were almost 25% cheaper) to be placed onto my shelf of historic LEGO. One thing you could do to MOC a little is to use the trident from the Atlantis sets and http://www.brickset.com/detail/?set=8073-1 is just a tip.

Thanks for reading, cheers!

Pros:

• The detailing on the entire figure.
• Amazing helmet!
• The best one from series 5!

Cons:

• Should have (though it negates the purpose of the series-bags) come with TWO gladiators in the same bag.

What we have here is an intriguing thing. He is the first and hopefully not the last Gladiator we will see.

Appearance:

The figure has a huge amount of detail, ranging from his armour printing on his right arm, to the printing on the sides of the legs this figure has it all:
Head printing with some stubble and angry face, eyes have pupils
Right arm armour
Torso printing, with muscles and leather straps
Hip printing, which contains part of the armour on the legs
Leg printing, has sword printing
Side of legs, which shows the continuation of his leg
Back-There is only yellow skin on the back
Did you know?
That some of the first Gladiators used their own weapons and armour

Equipment:

Helmet-The helmet is metallic gold, acording to bricklink.The helmet is a big winner in the set and makes the set stand out to other collectable figures.
Sword-The sword is pearl dark gray and is only available in this set until the series 7 collectable 'viking woman'
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8831-0
Shield-This variation of the shield is pearl dark gray and is only available in medium dark flesh in the 'spartan warrior'.
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8684-2
The new series 6 'highlander warrior' and series 7 'viking woman' and the possibly the 'aztec warrior'
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8827-0
http://www.brickset.com/detail/?Set=8831-0
Stand-We have the usual display stand accompanying the set

Did you know?
The Gladiator's helmet is a Thracian helmet

Overall:

This figure is one of the best warrior figure since the spartan warrior in 2010.Whilst there is no backprinting, which is a shame as this would of made this one of best figures in the history of Lego, but the figure has a lot of purposes which can be implemented into different 'battles and scenes'

Thank you for spending the time in reading the review, have a good day