This movie makes Ben-Hur seem like a children's schoolplay. Great stuff.

Rating: Null/10 (15 May 2000)

Warning: some spoilers ahead
I saw Gladiator three times already, and enjoyed it more and more with every viewing. Why can't we have more movies like that instead of the dumb big-budget "event" movies we're usually fed every summer?
Sure it had heaps of historical inaccuracies, but if I wanted a history lesson, I'd stayed home and watched some obscure documentary on ABC channel. This is pure entertainment, a heavily stylized vision of the ancient Rome, so what if it takes a few liberties with the written history (which itself cannot be really viewed as a true reflection of the distant past)? Real Spartacus has died in the battle, but do I hear anyone complaining about that great crucifixion scene at the end of Spartacus the movie? No sir.
The story of Gladiator is simple, unoriginal but well told. Since when there was a truly original story, anyway? If you think about it, all the stories recorded in the course of human history revolve around the same old topics: love, loss, revenge, etc. It's how these stories are told that matters, and Gladiator succeds on that front. Apart from a few awkward moments, I enjoyed the dialogue: it wasn't brilliant, but at least it was mercifully free of the long pompous speeches given by the heroes of the old Roman epics.
Russell Crowe as Maximus... wow, what a man. He's not some plastic, generic underwear model: he's a real beast who projects sheer, undistilled masculinity not seen since the times of Clarke Gable. His Maximus would kick Charlton Heston's Ben-Hur's ass any time, and, unlike Mr. Heston, he never ever felt wooden or over-acting to me. He puts so much conviction and commitment into his character that you *believe* him to be the hero any man would follow and die for; when he says stuff like "strength and honor" (which would probably sound pompous and embarrassing if mouthed by a less talented actor), it feels hundred percent sincere. Too often I see the so-called historical movies brought down because you can never get rid of the impression that all you see is just a fancy celebrity dress-up party. Not in Gladiator, not with Crowe: his performance is absolutely un-selfconscious and real.
The rest of the cast is fantastic, especially Phoenix, who succeeds in creating a character who you just plain hate (although I felt kind of pity for him, too). I've read some negative comments about the choppiness of the battle scenes; personally, I had no problem following the action, this technique worked just fine for me, perfectly conveying the sheer chaos and fury of the combat. That rain of fiery arrows in the beginning was simply an unforgettable imagery. Initially, I felt slightly led down by the ending, especially after that vague promise of the Roman army entering the capital. After I've done some thinking, though, I've realised that the movie couldn't have ended any differently. And to those who complain about the improbability of the whole thing: movie villains have *always* underestimated the heroes. It's an honoured tradition, people. Also, the emperor would have definitely finished Maximus off were it not for some unexpected treachery from the third party.
Finally, I loved the cinematography and the score, and never ever looked at my watch during the whole engrossing 2 1/2 hours. Caesar says "Thumbs Up." 9.5 out of 10.