If the love story would have been more believable...

Rating: Null/10 (30 December 2003)

this movie would have been so much better. While an "epic" film like Gladiator really makes you feel for Maximus and root for him because his troubles are written well, this movie feels cold because the 2 lead characters barely knew each other before being separated. They should have fell in love and been engaged or something before Inman gets sent to war. It seemed boring in places, but since I have read the book, I think that comes more from the book. I didn't think the book was that great either. Renee Zellweger saves the day as Ruby. She was the best actor in the film and got all the great lines. Also, the first battle scene is not for the sequemish. We get some close ups of swords going through bodies that is gross. But, I like war movies, so I thought it was great. Also, it seemed to me that Nicole Kidman lost her southern accent at times. I found that annoying; plus the accent she used was way over the top. Everyone from the south doesn't sound like a mountain hillbilly. Not to mention for someone who was supposed to be starving, Ada's hair and skin always seemed perfect.

Another question I had was why did that young blond bad guy not have to go to war? Instead he got to play deputy even though he was in the age range to fight.
FINAL VERDICT: This certainly isn't one of the best movies I have seen, but it is better than a lot of films out there. Teens probably won't like it, but I recommend it for the older crowd.