Best Ever?

Rating: 10/10 (8 October 2009)

Without a shadow of doubt this is one of the best movies ever made and certainly the making of Russell Crowe. Crowe puts in a performance of epic stature as the General Maximus Meridius and its brilliantly directed by the awesome Ridley Scott. Never thought Mr.Scott could surpass 'Blade Runner' or 'Alien' but I think this movie has everything and some!! I just cannot say enough about this film except believe the hype - I've just watched the extended blu-ray version (all but 3 hours) and its as good now as the first time I watched it. Every actor in this film puts in a stellar performance - as well as Crowe there is Joaquin Phoenix as the much reviled Commodus, the amazing Richard Harris as an all but too brief Marcus Aurilius, Dijimon Hounsou as the slave Juba and other great performances from the likes of Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Thomas Arana amongst others. Not for one moment during the entire movie do you find yourself losing interest - it is just totally engrossing to the last minute.