At last... a kicking historical epic.. with added foxiness!!

Rating: Null/10 (1 February 2001)

Firstly, I must reveal my bias towards this film, owing to the fact that I am female and am not averse to the sight of 13 odd stone of tanned, muscled, Australian manhood (if only!). However, my highly tuned entertainment gland will not bow down to the demands of my quivering hormonal bits without a little plot action for itself.
Having read some of the less kind reviews of Gladiator, I get the feeling that they are missing the point a little. Gladiator isn't Citizen Kane, but it is great entertainment. It isn't a lesson in Roman history, either. Some reviewers made reference to Braveheart and it's superiority over this film. Obviously, no professors of Scottish history are posting reviews here, but William Wallace wasn't the upstanding, noble, man of the people that Americans seem to believe. And at least Gladiator is shot in a sunny climate, not on the gloomy old Curragh in Ireland. Maltese rays are infinitely preferable for some escapism.
Yes, the plot could have done with a bit of tweaking to make it a little more free flowing, but never mind the narrative, feel the action! Even for the squeamish, these were the exciting parts. And anyone who has ever been to a pantomime cannot deny the thrill to be felt as Maximus reveals his identity to Commodus. You have to love the melodrama "I am Maximus Decimus Barridius... and I will have my revenge in this life or the next". Go Russ, go!!!!
As for the direction, Ridley Scott isn't afraid to use images that are a little different, even though some of the crowd scenes look a little hokey, it works.
Finally, I may be (rightly?) accused of rampant xenophobia, but the ultimate success of this film lies in the lack of American actors (apart from the excellent Joaquin Phoenix). When an Irish girl has been fed an endless diet of Neighbours, Home and Away, The Flying Doctors et al., she can't help having a gra for the old Aussie male. Fair dinkum, strength and honour, mate.