excellent epic summer movie

Rating: Null/10 (2 May 2000)

Don't be fooled by the Roman material, this Ridley Scott epic is aimed at the summer moviegoing masses and for the most part hits its target. While Latin students might find the historical detail and accuracy leaves something to be desired, it's all subsumed in a gut-wrenching (literally many times) parable about power, greed, honor and loyalty. Russell Crowe ably portrays the title character and his riches to rags to riches story, while the supporting cast of Joaquin Phoenix, Richard Harris, Derek Jacobi et al. is adequate. Like the accuracy of its material, "Gladiator" isn't really something for the history books, but that's not what summer movies are about.