A welcome return to the epic blockbuster

Rating: 10/10 (14 May 2000)

"Gladiator" is a true tour-de-force, a satisfying, thrilling eipc that makes moviegoing fun again. I place it on a level with "Ben-Hur" and "Spartacus."
The cinematography, sound and editing (though I have a few minor complaints with the latter) were superb. The story was engrossing and the performances were first rate.
Russell Crowe is solid as the heroic Roman general who suffers at the hand of Commodus, the ambitious and ruthless emperor's son (Joaquin Pheonix). Richard Harris has a wonderful turn as the dying emperor who loves Maximus as his own. The late Oliver Reed is perfect as the slaver "businessman." But the one performance that may be overlooked in this rich masterpiece is that of Connie Nielsen as the emperor's daughter, Lucilla. Nielsen's use of expressions as well as words to convey her character's moods is excellent.
Some of the violence, though necessary, may be hard to take for the squeamish, but I thought it was not overdone, as is the case in lesser movies with violent themes.
All in all, "Gladiator" is an instant classic, a movie long overdue and one I recommend highly.