Hopefully this will bring about a change

Rating: Null/10 (27 May 2000)

Let's not kid ourselves, Gladiator is not Braveheart. Or Saving Private Ryan. Or any Kurasowa. It's a blockbuster, a summer film, a crowdpleaser. Usually films like that that put money before quality don't turn out to be very good. Gladiator SHOULD have been one of these films....a loud, pointless, 200 million dollar grossing flick, but strangely and surprisingly, it really isn't. The superb visuals and sets are topped only by the powerful acting from Crowe and the underappreciated Phoenix, as well as the skillful directing of still capable Scott.
Make sure you see Gladiator. Whether you're a summer blockbuster addict or one of those people who only see powerful, trenchant, great films, you should see Gladiator.
Let's hope that future summer action flicks turn out like Gladiator.