Everything an Epic Needs

Rating: 10/10 (20 May 2000)

This film has everything you need for a good night at your local multiplex. True it doesn't challenge the grey matter but neither did Ben Hur or Spartacus and this is much better than either of them. The opening battle sets the pace of the film and you are never left with a moment of boredom or the film slowing down, which is what happens a lot in films today. The story grasps you and even though you could probably guess the ending there are a few moments when everything is thrown into doubt and it makes a great experience for a Friday night. I found the two and a half hours flew by as I was enthralled by the excellent action scenes within the Colloseum and the breath-taking scenes of Rome and the Colloseum are what computer effects should be used for. Ridley Scott has once again gone to a genre and brought it something fresh. This is the definitive Roman epic and the best film of the year so far and it is going to take a monumental film to top this, watch it.