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Rating: 8/10 (15 May 2000)

Leave it to Russell Crowe, one of the few actors who actually reads a script for a movie before acting in it. He has been in two of some of the best movies of the 1990's, L.A. CONFIDENTIAL and THE INSIDER. Now Crowe proves his marquee star status with his latest film, GLADIATOR. GLADIATOR is a film in the tradition of BEN HUR, EL CID, and TEN COMMANDMENTS, a classic epic brought into the new millennium. The story is about Maximus (Russell Crowe), a Spanish general fighting for the powerful Roman army. He is hailed a hero among his soldiers, and admired by his leader, Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). Marcus adores Maximus so much that he would rather see Max, than his own son, Commodus (Jouquin Phoenix) become the future leader of Rome. Commodus is both hurt and angered by his father's decision, he kills his father, imprisions Maximus, as well as threatens and torments his beautiful sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen). Maximus escapes Commodus soldiers and discovers that his family is killed and his home is destroyed by Commodus' army. Maximus is then captured and is sold into slavery to become a gladiator, under the rule of Proximo (the late Oliver Reed). Maximus befriends another slave, Juba (Djimon Hounsou), and together along with Lucilla, and Roman senator Gracchus (Derek Jacobi), they try to defeat the evil rule of Commodus. From start to finish, GLADIATOR is a feast to the eyes and brain. This is the kind of film that snaggs a couple of Oscar nominations. Ridley Scott not only proves that he can make a fantastic movies that are in the future (ALIEN & BLADE RUNNER) but also the past, with this film. From start to finish, and over 150 minutes, Scott manages to makes this film entertaining. With the excellent cinematography, editing, and fight scenes, Scott makes this a unique film placed in the history of cinema. And the acting is also great. Russell Crowe is excellent, as usual, in his leading role as the faithful and honorable Maximus. Now maybe, Crowe will become a popular star that he deserved to be since QUICK & THE DEAD. And Jouquin Phoenix is very vicious and cold as the evil Commodus. He proves that he can live up to the status that his older brother was in. Connie Nielsen and Richard Harris are both great as the royal family. And in his final role, Oliver Reed is great as Proximo, the former gladiator who fight his way to freedom. GLADIATOR is a film that both the young and old will enjoy. The old will enjoy it since it's in the same formula as the classic epic film is, and with the great acting. And the young will enjoy it because of it being so bloody and violent. But anyone who enjoys brain food with thier summer films will enjoy this film. Don't miss it! ***** (out of five)