"Gladiator" has got everything a great movie should offer

Rating: 10/10 (14 January 2001)

First of all, I'd like to mention that I didn't go to the cinema to watch "Gladiator" because I'd thought it was only another high-action spectacle with an oversized hero, set in ancient Rome. However, I'll never forgive myself for that mistake, or will forgive Dreamworks for putting so much emphasis on the no-doubt impressive fight sequences (in fact, the trailers rather deterred me from watching this film earlier). It almost made me miss one of the finest movies that in my opinion has ever been produced.
The strength of this film is to my mind the fact that it beautifully combines the action part with a good story, a rich dialogue, beautiful shots (with and without CGI) and, above all, excellent actor performances not only by Russell Crowe's portrayal of the title-hero. Likewise, the movie itself is well-balanced because the hero is counterbalanced by an equally convincing "villain", who is brought to life by an absolutely marvelous piece of acting from Joaquin Phoenix. Of course, there might be some smaller detail that could be improved (though I honestly couldn't put my finger on it), but then, who cares? This movie has got well-developed characters, romance and tragedy, deep-running emotions and sheer violence, touching and intimate dialogues and grandiose views, no one could seriously ask for more in a movie of such scale. In any case, this is most certainly more than films like "Braveheart" and "Titanic" have to offer, plus, in Gladiator you've got a Joaquin Phoenix to admire who alone makes the film worthwhile for everyone who appreciates first-rate acting! (And yes, in case you couldn't have guessed by now,I happen to be a great Phoenix-fan since I first saw the movie on dvd.)