Bombastic production, old-fashioned story

Rating: Null/10 (13 February 2001)

It´s impossible to stay unimpressed from this gigantic epic. "Gladiator" is full of dramatic, emotion and suspense. Watch this film on a big screen at the cinema and the sets, costumes and the sound will catapult you out of your seat! The cast is excellent - especially Joaquin Phoenix as schemer Roman emperor. However I was disappointed about the leading actor Russell Crowe, who was in my opinion too reserved for this role. The second problem is, that the story lies somewhere between "Spartacus" (Gladiator fights against the Roman empire and becomes the hero of the nation) and "Quo vadis?". At last there is nothing really new in this film, it´s more a remake of the old ones - just with a better technic, better FX and a higher budget. Today I heard on the radio that "Gladiator" is nominated for 12 awards... what made my think of that there are "better" movies which also would deserve an Oscar. "Better" in this sense that there films which have more original ideas and which are not only pure commercial products like this one is! However, you won´t be disappointed by "Gladiator". If you like bombastic cinema - watch this! It´s just a film that is made more for the eye than for the demands. (8/10)