An Amazingly Different Action Movie

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2002)

If you go into this movie expecting straight-up action packed scenes, a muscular hero, and the blood and gore that we've come to expect then you will get what you want, but soooo much more. This movie has all a good action movie should have; a ton of fighting scenes with blood flying everywhere and a central hero who is unstoppable. On top of that Gladiator is a story that highlights an ancient empire, both its glory and its corruption. Russel Crowe is stunning as a humble, softspoken general who becomes a slave and fights, at first to keep his life, and later, to save an empire. Russel Crowe is incredible as can also be seen in A Beautiful Mind and is one of the greatest actors of our day. Crowe manages to play a gladiator who, although he fights for a living and does it amazingly well, also can be caring and humble. Joaquin Phoneix plays just his opposite and is also incredibly good. In this movie you hate him so much because he is able to play a bad guy who you can't stand and want to see die a horrible death. But that is what makes him so good. He is ruthless and cunning, but is blind to his flaws and his hunger for power. I think both of these actors are great in this film but Crowe takes the cake because he's the good guy and he's the one you're rooting for. The scenery is also breathtaking as the filmmakers recreate ancient Rome including the palace and the Colesseum. Of course since these places don't exist entirely anymore they were all computer generated but are blended in superbly and it looks like they're actually there. This movie is definetly in my top 3 movies ever and perhaps I dare to say my number 1 ever.