Cecil B. would be proud!

Rating: Null/10 (27 April 2000)

Loved this movie. It is clearly a throwback to a long dormant genre. Not perfect mind you, it has it's flaws. Those flaws would be inherent in any movie of this type. Heavy-handed melodrama, and obvious indicating of good and evil. Not much that is subtle here. But, y'know it is a Roman empire/gladiator movie, right? Russell Crowe has shown he can carry a movie, and he carries this movie superbly. Man, he's good. There is clearly a sly sense of humor at work in many of the performances. Joaquin Phoenix is very good as Commodious the evil emperor, he almost makes you want to empathize with him. This is the late Oliver Reed's last role he will be missed. The action is very well done and this movie is violent! (no guns) Ridley Scott directed Blade Runner and what he did for L.A. of the future he does for ancient Rome, nuff said. Great opening battle scene. Aside from a couple of slow spots and its inevitable though historically inaccurate ending, this is a great movie! See it!