Simply put, one amazing movie!

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2000)

Gladiator has everything. Amazing visuals, superb fight-scenes, and a strong plot with a fierce revenge angle.
The first part of the movie is quite slow, but concentrates on building backgrounds for the various characters. The movie really takes off when Maximus begins his Gladiator career, the action scenes are similar to Saving Private Ryan (like Gladiator, a film that also moved me) as the pace is frenetic and very 'in your face'.
Check out the scene where the Gladiators first enter the Coliseum arena in Rome, wow, you actually felt like you were there. During the fights you will be on the edge of your seat, willing the 'good guys on'. Apart from the action, there is a healthy dose of drama, which didn't do much for me. However, this does balance the movie quite well, but after seeing the fight scenes you just want to see more action!
The ending is predictable, but quite powerful, it really does go for the heart strings, I was moved, and that's no easy thing. The best movie I have seen in ages, Star Wars TPM had the visuals but not the story, check Gladiator out, you won't regret it!