Another big budget variation on a well-worn theme

Rating: 6/10 (25 February 2001)

Gladiator is well-made and sports all the frills of a big budget production -- big sets and lotsa extras in good costumery. However, let's be blunt, it is a 10-minute plot stretched out to epic proportions. And, it is not a new plot. It is not much more than a combination of Braveheart and Last of the Mohicans, go to Rome -- to name a couple of more recent films. In effect, it is hero gets done wrong and his loved ones are killed, so he bides his time and gets his revenge. I think all of the hurrah behind this film is from Hollywood having little else to offer this year at the Oscars (how else could Chocolat get nominated --$$$). Since Crouching Tiger is not part of the good ole boy Hollywood network, Hollywood is working hard to prevent a foreign film from upstaging them. In a different year, this film would not get half the recognition it is getting.