A fantastic movie!

Rating: Null/10 (10 June 2000)

I have read over some of the past comments and have seen many contradictory statements. Of course this is to be expected from the diverse viewers we have, so I think it may be hard to actually get an average review.
I must say that I loved this movie. I have always been fascinated by historically based fantasies, especially medieval and roman. So of course I felt an obligation to see Hollywood's latest attempt. Of course this dedication I have is not a resented one, because many of the past works I have witnessed are very good indeed.
So I embarked on my trip to the cinema with little more than a rough idea of what it was all about. I emerged with the feeling that I had in fact stepped back in time.
I thought that the whole concept of the movie was excellent. I can never get enough of producer's manipulation of history. The costumes were enchanting, the computer animation for the Colosseum was perfected.
The acting, though, was what really captivated me. My favourite being Joaquin Phoenix. Him being the brother of the mesmerizing late River Phoenix, I knew that I was to see some good acting. But of course I had my doubts. In th past many let's say, aspiring, actors have tried to stumble in their siblings success. They then deliver a so-so performance, wrecking whatever status they were on to begin with. This in mind, I believed that Joaquin would be good, but not that good. I was wrong. The way he brought his character's personality to life, was captivating. Every little detail was manipulated so as to bring Commodus' insanity to it's full extent. Though, he was evil, the vulnerability was always there, always seeping through.
So to conclude I must give it a score of 9/10. I would give a full 10 but the gore did at some times exceed even my limits.
If you enjoy being captivated I strongly recommend you see this movie.