Good, but not great!

Rating: 6/10 (26 May 2000)

This was a very well-made film with great acting and an interesting story. Yet I left the theatre disappointed. There was just something missing in this grand epic. Maybe character development?
I would have loved to see the early years of Maximus and Commodus. Why is Maximus so beloved by the emperor - because he is a brave, honourable man? Why does he have such a low opinion of his own son? The fact that Maximus is the emperor's favourite is just a given. The reasons for that are never explored - we are simply told that that's how it is. So we never know why Commodus is who and what he is. In that sense I find the story to be just too simple.
That doesn't mean it isn't worth watching. It just didn't grab me as much as I thought it would. Maybe it's a case of too high expectations!
6/10