Mysteriously mindblowing

Rating: 10/10 (16 June 2000)

After the first time I saw I was flabbergasted. I didn't know what hit me. Well, that's not completely true: the movie is a perfect example of action director Ridley Scott (Crison Tide, Alien).
So I went back for the second time to find out what it was.
Firstly the visuals are great, but the created atmosphere (especially the battle sequence in the beginning) throughout the whole film is exquisitely darkish.
Secondly Russell Crowe plays Maximus as Steve McQueen did in his Heydays. It was a pleasure to see someone play the anti-hero in McQueen/Eastwood style. Supporting roles by great veterans like Richard Harris and Oliver Reed (the film is dedicated to him, having passed away last year after a drinking contest on Malta) make the cast and acting performances complete for me. Joaquin Phoenix, While a great actor-to-be, wants to star a little bit to much for my likeing, however he presents a villain devlish seldom seen on the white screen.
Thirdly, having a major part in accomplishing that, the music contributes in a great way to the whole ambiance. Hans Zimmer outdid himself and Lisa Gerard Is mysteriously enchanting.
I found he story itself is good, with a few unexpected plot twists. But it isn't great either.
That's my two cents.