Brilliant acting

Rating: 7/10 (7 June 2000)

I expected much before I saw this film and as every film fan knows; you should never expect things before you see a film. So, I didn't like "Gladiator" as much as I thought I would, but I still think it's a good film. It's interesting, the action scenes are great (the opening battle scene is reminiscent of both "Braveheart" and "Saving Private Ryan"), the drama quite interesting, and the acting brilliant. Of course, Russell Crowe has never been better (I haven't seen "The Insider yet, though), and we all know how good he was in e.g. "L.A. Confidential." Joaquin Phoenix doesn't play a very likable character, Commodus is a pathetic loser, but he does a good job with it anyway. Recommended. (7/10)