A great revenge movie that is not as worthy as it thinks it is but is still a great movie

Rating: Null/10 (26 October 2003)

Maximus is the favoured commander of Emperor Aurelius' armies in Germania. He is favoured to the point that the Emperor, sensing his death is near, commands him to succeed him and return Rome to a republic. Caesar's son discovers this, kills his father and orders Maximus dead. However he survives and, finding his wife and son murdered, is captured by slave merchants and sold to gladiator trainer Proximo. As his skills increase his strength he eventually comes to the games at Rome, where he finds himself anonymous and within striking distance of the revenge he seeks.
If you strip away all the period settings and political battling in the background, this film is essentially a revenge film and a good one at that. It's best to ignore the liberties it takes with both logic and history and enjoy it for what it is. At times it does threaten to take itself too seriously, but it's worthy sheen is just about supported by the emotive story and strong characters. The film hits a good mix of political goings-on and action, with the action being the main body of the film. It is delivered in bloody spades and the action scenes are a lot more dramatic than I expected.
Although the characters fit into traditional revenge movie moulds (wronged man, evil man in position of power etc) they still manage to be strong characters in their own right. Maximus is a strong hero and it is hard not to feel for him and thus get involved in the film. True, the script is very generous in it's painting of him but this is a minor issue. Crowe takes the lead really well and, while I don't personally care for him, he really fitted the role here. Phoenix plays it well despite the fat he could easily have given into mugging the evil role. Harris is good in his small role, although Jacobi just shows up once or twice. Reed has a good part for his swansong but this is really Crowe's film and he commands it as his character does his army.
The close of the film always gets me as it treats the characters and audience with respect (although it is not as daring as some would suggest. Overall this is a great film to watch as long as you don't take it too seriously or go looking for flaws. The music and direction gives it a great feel  the music in particular used to support the required emotions created by the action. Three hours go by very quickly and enjoyably.