performances and spectacle spoiled by story contrivances

Rating: 5/10 (17 September 2006)

The performances and spectacle of this film make it worth watching, and the opening battle scene offered hope that the film would be outstanding. From several standpoints, the film was disappointing at best. Much of the gore was gratuitous, including an especially bloody scene (the first gladiator combat) in which all physical laws are transcended. The gladiator scene involving tigers was beyond belief. The story content left any viewer completely baffled. Why the writers felt it was necessary to concoct an impossible ending is difficult to understand. The real story was much more interesting, and no contrivances were necessary.