One of the best I've seen in a while

Rating: 10/10 (12 May 2000)

Many movies that we all watch are disapointments because of all of the hype that surrounds movies (especially summer movies)now. I was extremely excited to see Gladiator based on the trailer and the reviews I had read. This was one of the few movies where I was not disapointed at all. Russell Crowe was outstanding as Maximus, as was Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus. Although I thought the movie could've used another battle scene or two, not once did I have to look at my watch or wonder when it was going to end, even after the 2 1/2 hours I just wanted more. I won't go into the story line, because most reviews have already done that. What I will say is that the first scene, the opening battle is in my opinion, the best scene of the film. The cinematography for that scene was perfect, and like so many before me have said, it rivals the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan. Maybe not as intense, but the sheer action in the scene is breathtaking. The entire time I was watching it I couldn't help but compare it to Braveheart, which in my opinion is the greatest movie of all time. Although I still think Braveheart was a better film, Gladiator held it's own. It is an epic, just as Braveheart was, and deserves to be held in the same regard.

Bottom Line: It just makes you want to learn how to sword fight.