visually nice but too much of an ingredient movie

Rating: 4/10 (14 August 2010)

I should say this review contains spoilers although i really feel there is not much to spoil :P It's a genre I have a weakness for (historical drama) so I thought I could enjoy it despite the slightly sub standard reviews and rating. But alas, no. It really boiled down to a mix of all too familiar ingredients. The Hollywood-newfound grittiness of Romans in the cold climate(gladiator), the chase, the jumping from a high cliff to escape, the black sheep in our midst. And in the end it get worse: the girl that the hero is getting (you see this coming from miles away what makes it more unbearable) and then the awkward and absurd getting attacked by your own rulers, victim of the system ploy. The last implemented as a means to surprise the audience and have them leave with the feeling they have been watching an unpredictable and meaningful movie. Duh!