Russell Crowe shines as a Roman Mad Max...

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2000)

Despite the initial revenge by the numbers feel of the first half of the film, Crowe carries this film magnificently in his slide from hero to abject despair and redemption of a sort.
On first watch, there are many similarities with the first Mad Max film - hero doing his bit for "society", wife and kid at home. His family is killed by the bad guy and the remainder of the story is a rollicking ride to see how the revenge is pursued and ultimately obtained.
Being an American film where the good guy has to win, that he will get his revenge is without doubt, only the path matters.
Phoenix's character is almost a caricature of a bad guy, with no redeeming features whatsoever; the byplay with the Senate mostly lost in the story.
Ultimately a satisfying story - the sweeping opening battle designed to either solidify Crowe's character's battle mastery and general status, or to self-justify the cost of staging the battle.
Enjoy..