George Lucas take note

Rating: 9/10 (12 May 2000)

Marvelously directed and spectacularly shot, "Gladiator" is an aural and visual feast from beginning to end. But it's more than that. It's a powerfully moving story which, despite the 154 minute running time, is economically written and very simply told. I've seen it three times and it just keeps getting better.
George Lucas should see this film about three hundred times before he shoots the first frame of "Episode 2". "Gladiator" is everything his disastrous "Episode 1" should have been: a great political story with lots of sword play, that still manages to be big on family values and which, most importantly, uses special effects FOR A NARRATIVE PURPOSE and not for their own sake. From the extraordinary opening battle sequence, to the spectacular recreations of Rome - and what looks suspiciously like a digitally-resurrected Oliver Reed in one or two shots - Ridley Scott deploys the special effects with sensitivity, purpose and elan. He uses them to TELL the story. With Lucas, they ARE the story.
If I were Lucas I'd be handing over the "Episode 2" writing duties to Messrs Franzoni, Logan and Nicholson, and only keeping the director's chair warm until Mr Scott wraps on "Hannibal".
Welcome back, Ridley. You're a master.