An Early Favorite for Oscar

Rating: 10/10 (29 May 2000)

After seeing the ad for Gladiator, and realizing that Russell Crowe was the main character, I was determined to see it. His portrayal of Bud White was what made LA Confidential transcend to another level. Finding out that Ridley Scott was the director made it 100% certain that this was a film not to be missed.
From the opening of the film, with the wheat blowing softly, leading up to a battle that combined the frenetic camera work similar to Private Ryan mixed with the brutality of Braveheart all set to Hans Zimmer's great score, I was hooked.
Here is a film that includes all the pre-requisites of being a hit. Superb acting from all the leads (Joaquin Phoenix - I didn't realize he could act that well!?) Richard Harris as the elderly Caesar, the late Oliver Reed, and Djimon Hounsou all did superb jobs. What MADE this film what it was though, was Crowe's performance as the betrayed General Maximus.
The sheer emotion and depth that Crowe brought to what could have been a cardboard replica of a historical figure proves with no doubt that he is now one of the top actors in Hollywood.The vulnerability mixed with the intensity, with the ever underlying thirst for revenge drives the character and subsequently the film. It is doubtful one will see a better performance than the scene where Maximus discovers his family killed.

With a lavish set design, aided by stunning CGI work, the viewer feels literally immersed in the world of old Rome. The battles (the best one being the Barbarian Horde) are staged elaborately, and truly evoke the quality of what they must have been like.
This movie is similar in some ways to 1995's Braveheart, yet differentiates itself enough to be truly original. It is a strong possibility that come March, Ridley Scott could be standing at the podium holding Oscar. Of all the films that have come out in the past year, this is one that NOBODY should miss!