Better than expected...

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2000)

I know this movie was set in 150AD but the Roman Empire was not yet Christianised. But of course Hollywood is pitching at a Christian audience who are unable to understand the idea of true self-sacrifice without a consequent rebirth. So unfortunately the film opens and closes with the tackiest vision of a Christianised-Hollwooodised-quasi-Romanised Elysian Field where all good people get to prance about in endless cornfields. But these elements were a minor distraction from an otherwise thoroughly entertaining retelling of a traditional heroic story. The digital reconstruction of Rome was a feast for the eyes and the combat sequences (apart from the thoroughly annoying strobing due to the lack of motion blurring) were well put together. Joaquin Phoenix is perfectly cast as the snivelling pathetically evil emperor and Oliver Reed is great as the gladiator owner. Not a classic like Blade Runner or Alien, but fine nonetheless.