A Epic For A New Era...

Rating: Null/10 (8 May 2000)

Gladiator is the eagerly anticipated film in the mold of such sword-and-sandal epics as Ben-Hur and Spartacus. This time, the familiar tale of a slave who defies an empire takes a violently realistic turn, giving the audience an entirely dramatic and satisfying film.
Featuring a magnificent portrayal of Legion General Maximus, our stalwart hero, by Russell Crowe, Gladiator also possesses an excellent supporting cast led by Joaquin Phoenix as the young, mad emperor Commodus, gorgeous Connie Nielsen as Commodus' sister and former love of Maximus, Lucilla, Djamon Hounsou as Juba, Maximus' staunch ally and friend, Rolf Mueller as the mighty Germanic warrior Hagen, the late, great Oliver Reed as fight promoter Proximo (his best role since Athos in Richard Lester's Musketeer films), and the immortal Richard Harris as the last great Roman emperor, Marcus Auerlius.
Gladiator is quite a spectacle, and portrays the spectacle of the Colosseum and its satellite arenas in a violent and bloody fashion. It portrays a decadent Rome crumbling in its foundation, and united only in its love of the gladiator.
Highly recommended!