An epic of gigantic proportions!!

Rating: 10/10 (2 June 2000)

This film was absolutely magnificent. RIdley Scott rules!!! I studied Rome back at school for 7 years and was very pleased when I heard that they had made a "sandal and sword" epic in my time, as opposed to Ben Hur and Spartacus which were made way before me.Having studied Rome for so many years, I had so many images in my head as to what it would have been like. This film turns those images into reality. Russell Crowe was perfectly cast as the vengeful Maximus. He was really menacing and you could tell that his character had a huge chip on his shoulder (which wasn't surprising since his family had been murdered at the bequest of the Roman emperor, Commodus,, who was now Maximus' enemy). Joaquin Phoenix was great (but a bit hammy!) as the 19 year old emperor. Oliver Reed turned in a sterling performance. This film is a fitting tribute to his memory. "Gladiator" is great entertainment with battle scene after battle scene, wowing you at every turn, dispersed by golden shots of an age-old Rome. You will not be disappointed.