Excellent story, vivid characters, awesome fight scenes

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2000)

"Gladiator" is one of those truly memorable films. The story is harrowing, the bad guys are truly evil, and the heroes are heroic. Russell Crowe plays Maximus, a former general in the Roman Army, and a favorite of the late emperor, Marcus Aurelius(Richard Harris). When Aurelius tells his son, Commodus(Joaquin Phoenix), and heir to the throne, that he will not be choosing him as his successor, but Maximus, Commodus kills Aurelius and has Maximus sentenced to die. Commodus rises to power and has Maximus's family condemned to die as well. Maximus escapes his executioners and heads to his home in Spain to save his family. The Romans get there first, though, and Maximus's family is crucified. Maximus collapses at their graves and is taken prisoner by a slave trader. The slave trader sells him to an entertainer, who has Maximus trained as a gladiator. Maximus is incredible in the ring, and is taken to Rome to fight in the just re-opened Coliseum. I can't tell you any more without spoiling the story, though. The acting is excellent, and the viewer really begins to hate Commodus by the end of the film, and love and admire Maximus. The cinematography is good as well, with vivid colors and breathtaking shots. This is truly a great fight movie.