Cant believe I never saw it before now!

Rating: 9/10 (19 February 2007)

Being honest, I was never intended to see Gladiator, thinking it just wasn't my type of film, more of a 'boys action movie'. How wrong was I! Being bored last night, it was on TV so I thought I might as well see what everyone was raving about. As with other epics like it (Braveheart, The Last Samurai), I was on the edge of my seat, eyes glued to the screen.
I thought the characters were well written - the complete opposites of the strength and courage of Maximus against Commodus's pathetic coward of an emporer. Some of the lines between them have to be amongst the best ever - the 'father to a murdered son...' and 'smile for me now brother' They bring a tear to my eye (and only braveheart and titanic have also done)
Commodus is such a self-indulgent coward, you just have to hate him, and Maximus is a real hero. Their climatic fight is brilliant, I didn't know which way it would go, considering commodus has just stabbed his opponent. The ending was sad, but I felt it was fitting with the film, and I was glad when I seen Commodus about to die, realising he never would win over the crowd.
I would recommend this film to everyone, its constantly interesting, has some amazing scenes and dialogue. And most of all, I think I will enjoy it even more on my second viewing. I'm going to buy the DVD very soon!