A Unique Masterpiece

Rating: 9/10 (15 July 2007)

"Are you not entertained?" Russell Crowe shouts to a crowd that has just watched him destroy a half-dozen hulking gladiators. Well, with a motion picture like this one, it would be very hard not to be entertained.
"Gladiator" director Ridley Scott has created a modern spectacle, a "swords and sandals" epic full of wide-screen Mediterranean majesty, high treason, hot passions, and brutal murderous action.
Furthermore, the shots of Rome are incredible, the opening battle mind-is blowing, and even the ability to bring Oliver Reed back from the grave to finish out the movie is very humbling in its own way. And if you're wise, will you see parallels to our modern world?
The film's strong points are unquestionably highlighted in its various battle scenes, but don't let it be said that these fights are set adrift in a plot-less movie. In fact, many internal struggles take place in this picture with love, redemption, revenge, honor, tradition, allegiance and blackmail all making personal appearances
Russel Crowe brings his breath-taking intensity to the role of Maximus, a heroic Roman general caught up in a power play and marked for death by the new emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix). I never for one moment doubted his character or his motives. Maximus survives only to end up a gladiator slave in a remote Roman province, where he begins killing his way towards revenge.
A unique masterpiece portrayed with excellence by Crowe. 9/10