A LONG LONG time ago...

Rating: Null/10 (7 May 2000)

The first and most important thing I need to say about this movie was that it was too freakin' long!! This movie could have been made within the typical hour and forty-five minutes to two hour range, but two and a half hours is just unreal. Honestly I found this movie to be a little on the dry side. Not all the scenes connected and I found myself trying to concentrate more on what was going on rather then enjoying the film.

Russell Crowe offered an excellent preformance as did Connie Neilsen and Joaquin Pheniox. The cinemotography was wonderful and the costumes were outstanding. These are really the film's only redeeming points. The plat was dull and somewhat tedious. It took two hours to finally get to the point of the movie. There were many extra scenes that could have been eliminated because they really had no point. The fighting scenes were well done, and there was a few scenes that had the emotion in it, the emotion that I am sure was supposed to placed throughout the entire film, yet was not. I would have to say that this was not one of my favourite films, but if you are planning to see it, then definitly go to the theatre, because with the specatuclar scenery and fast paced action sequences, this one needs to be seen on a big screen. However, if you are looking for a movie with a more gripping plot, more emotional acting and something worth your money, then you may want to look elsewhere, because "Gladiator" just doesn't cut it. I give it a 5 out of 10.