A major disappointment.

Rating: 1/10 (20 May 2000)

This movie fills in all the criterions for a "Hollywood movie". A hero, his wife and children, death of his family, a new lover, powerful enemy, the rise of goodness and the fall of evil. Only thing what was missing is the dog of a happy family. What a cliché. The beginning was promising; the battle against the barbarians was convincing and realistic enough, but then... rubbish. The drama was hilarious, and the fights turned into sci-fi. Later in the movie happened the climax of the disappointment, the blast of (good old American) morality, when Crowe should have killed the other gladiator but was way too good-hearted. After killing thousands of barbarians and dozens of other gladiators he felt merciful. The rest of the movie was about as boring as "Titanic". Take my advice, and save your money, this film is a success only in USA, that tells a lot about any movie.