Glad I saw it...

Rating: 9/10 (15 October 2000)

What good is one man to an empire like the Roman Empire. Why should one man be important?
The Gladiator answers these questions fairly. With beautiful scope masterfully done by veteran director Ridley Scott, Gladiator forces us into the broken life of Maximus, played very well by Russell Crowe. A commander of the Roman Armies and a surrogate son to a dying Roman Emperor, Maximus just wants to return home. He has seen too much of war.
In his humility, he declines his dying Emperor's wishes for him to take the throne, and leaves the boon to the Emperor's spoiled rotten son, Commodus (of which Joaquin Phoenix gives a tour-de-force performance.)
Because of his jealousy over his father's love, Commodus is sick with envy over Maximus's importance. In his ignorance, he makes Maximus the main attraction of his new Collusium in Rome, where the warrior, now gladiator, must face death and thrill the crowds -- in turn, making him to be a legend beyond his own Imperial name.
With fine acting, a wonderful screenplay and excitement galore, this movie captivates.