A Hero Has Risen...

Rating: 9/10 (24 July 2000)

And his name is Russell Crowe. As Maximus, Crowe is incredibly masculine, heroic and charismatic, yet human, believable and sympathetic. His performance powers this movie in a way very few actors are capable of. When he finally achieves his initial goal, the true goal of every man's heart, all you can do is weep with joy. Gladiator is a much welcome return to artistic form by director Ridley Scott, maybe his best work yet--and that is saying a lot.