It's been a long time coming, but finally another gladiator flick hits the big screen!

Rating: 7/10 (18 May 2000)

Director Ridley Scott brings this blockbuster epic tale of ancient Rome to a modern audience. Russell Crowe plays the general to Marcus Aurelius Caesar, Richard Harris is the emperor, who defeats the Germanian army. In the aftermath, Caesar dies of "mysterious" causes and his son, Joaquin Phoenix, takes the crown. He orders Crowe to be executed, but Crowe escapes, only to be trained by Oliver Reed as an arena gladiator. Crowe becomes a favorite of the bloodthirsty crowds by the time that Phoenix learns of his escape. Soon, Phoenix and Crowe will have to come across one another's path. The film has great flavor for the period and solid acting and good computer enhanced effects, but the battle scenes are too often done in a stylized, close-up manner, which makes it difficult to discern exactly what is happening. Sadly, Reed died during the filming and, thus, this is his final film.