A entertaining movie that will be displaced in weeks.

Rating: 8/10 (15 May 2000)

Gladiator: Having defeated the last pocket of resistance to the Roman Empire General Maximus is determined to return to his life as a farmer. Marcus Aurelius Caesar has other plans; he wants Maximus to succeed him as ruler so that Rome can once again become a republic and be returned to the people. Unfortunately, Aurelius' son Commodus learns of this and sentences Maximus to death. But, the best laid plans
This movie seems to have triggered a round of "Blockbusteritis"- after a spate of mediocre films, it is the first big budget movie of the summer and it is indeed entertaining. But the 62nd best movie of all time (as voted by 3500 members on the Internet Movie Database)? I think not.

The first battle scene is without a doubt my favorite part of the film - an amazing spectacle enhanced by excellent cinematography and painstakingly choreographed, it combines the best elements of "Saving Private Ryan" and "Braveheart". I was in addition duly impressed by the special effects, particularly the recreation of the Coliseum, and the battles between the gladiators (it may be a bit too intense for some people, after all it's not often that you get to see a literal bloodbath). I did however have several problems with the story.
Maximus rides from Germania to Spain, a journey that would surely take weeks if not months and arrives literally moments too late to save his family - a little too convenient for my liking. Also, after all that time his wound is still bleeding - surely he would have become food for the buzzards long before that. Or why did Commodus not have Maximus assassinated when he returns to Rome? But my biggest question was the past between Maximus and Lucilla: without a doubt, the most pivotal relationship in the movie and it is never explained. The acting is similarly unbalanced.
Once again Russel Crowe proves his versatility as an actor: his Maximus is quiet spoken, stoic, straightforward and lives by a code of honor (a concept too few people are familiar with these days). It is impossible not to feel for him. Richard Harris, though onscreen only briefly, is excellent as the omnipotent ruler who knows his time is ending (I hope it was the makeup that made him look that bad) and is determined to do the right thing. I'm still ambivalent over Joaquin Phoenix's take on Commodus, the villain of the piece - I did not hate him for being evil, but for annoying me. I couldn't wait for someone to cleave him in two to put an end to the whining, sniveling, incestuous little weasel.
Although Gladiator does not have the staying power of Spartacus or Ben Hur, it is a good way to wile away an afternoon.