A monumental hero-story that offers nothing new

Rating: 6/10 (31 May 2000)

The roman scenery excluded, I´ve seen this film a hundred times. It has the usual ingredients of action, betrayal, heroic return and of course some sort of victory. This film is great judged from visual and sound perspectives, but the story is rather weak which makes this movie predictable and hard to have "feelings for".
I categorize this movie as "American", because it is build according to a classical recipe designed to let the whole range of feelings touch the audience. Nothing is spared in effects and the music hammers on as our hero makes his entry, why does it always have to be so "monumental"? If played in modern time the camera should have altered between a crying audience and the american flag while playing the national anthem. I can´t stand those scenes.
Despite the negativism, Russell Crowe plays his hero well and the 150 minutes passes quickly. Connie Nielsen leaves a deep impression, which cannot be said of Joaquin Phoenix´s performance as Ceasar. It is a pleasure to see the historic background of Rome, and that is this movies greatest advantage.