Scott's own Shakespearean Tragedy

Rating: Null/10 (3 December 2000)

I've heard people and critics alike knock and praise this film left and right. However, although I found this film exceedingly long and somewhat boring at points, I do believe I sympathize w/ it's overall message. Its message is although it's centered around the ignorance and inhumanity of Roman pop-culture of the ancient world it's really parodizing and somewhat mocking America's bloodthirsty obsession w/ sex and violence in today's trashy pop-culture.
At some points, it plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy. At others it plays out like a John Woo actioner. I do think that Jouquin Phoenix proves himself as an actor, since I've not seen him anything but two small previous roles including 8mm. Otherwise, I do believe that the technology of the times was so fantastic-seeming it's hokey.
Overall, I'd recommend the DVD for the fans who'd really enjoy it, since there's another 21/2 hrs of deleted scenes and documentaries on another disc.