Hmmm.... Should they have called it Braveheart II?

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2000)

Russell Crowe... swords.... emperors... Roman epics... *sigh* what a raging pit of testosterone fuelled action! I loved it! I am so proud of Russell Crowe... Australians are definitely making their mark on Hollywood, that's for sure. But as for the movie, I enjoyed it thoroughly. There really is nothing like a good, emotionally charged tale of heroes and revenge. Joaquin Phoenix was devilishly good as Commodus and as I have already mentioned, Russell will always be a hero! I did find my mind drifting from Gladiator to Braveheart from time to time... the people's hero, hard done by by a king or emperor, wife killed, tormented by guilt and sorrow, seemingly beaten. Until they conquer and emerge a celebrated hero even though their whole fight to glory was based on little more than revenge in both films. And there was something strangely similar about the catch phrase 'Strength and Honour' (Freedom!?) But still, Gladiator was highly enjoyable, a film definitely worth three hours of my time. Go Maximus!