Ridley Scott at His Most Laughably Serious

Rating: 5/10 (12 July 2010)

Absolutely ridiculous bit of sword and sandal nonsense that wouldn't have been so objectionable had not director Ridley Scott and his cast taken the damn thing so seriously. It didn't help matters any that it went on to win the Best Picture Oscar, the dumbest pick since perhaps "The Greatest Show on Earth" back in 1952 (though that film is far more entertaining).
I guess the Academy felt they had shafted Russell Crowe the year before when he didn't win for "The Insider." That's the only reasonable explanation I can offer for how he managed to take the Best Actor prize for this. If you're dying to see Crowe in a loin cloth, run don't walk to your Netflix queue to add this one. But if not, just rent "Spartacus" and be done with it.
Grade: C