Amazing Special Effects Unamazing storyline

Rating: 5/10 (29 December 2000)

I suppose all the hype surrounding Gladiator really heightened my expectations of the movie but once it has been taken off the big screen it really loses its gloss and power. Movies that stand the test of time are the ones that are still good to watch on the small screen because they contain interesting plot elements/twists and great dialogue. Gladiator contains none of the former and an average amount of the latter. This story was meant to be an action film but contained a lame dull cliche'd ending. No great Roman hordes overthrowing the Corrupt Emperor, really made me and my friends feel short changed and that is difficult to say after sitting through a 140 minute movie. The Special effects were brilliant and its worth a look for them alone but its not a movie I will watch again in a hurry and will not stand the test of time. There were no plot twists, just predictable gladiator fighting scenes and a good battle in the opening scenes between the Roman army and the Germanic peasants. As far as epic movies go Braveheart is better in pretty much every aspect that counts - plot and acting, as well as Bravehearts' battle scenes being less movie-goer friendly and more gruesome and realistic than Gladiators'.