Not great, but it's all in good fun

Rating: 5/10 (9 July 2011)

There are some precautions you have to take when you plan on watching this movie. Firstly, you have to accept that you will learn absolutely nothing about history. This movie is meant to be about as educational as a monster truck show, so no need to complain about the various preposterous inaccuracies. The makers obviously didn't care about facts, neither should you. Secondly, you have to buy that the fierce Roman commander in this movie is played by (of all people) Colin Firth. Nothing against Colin Firth, but no matter for how long he grows his beard, he'll just never look tough. Hell, even the kid he's protecting seems like he could totally take him out. Thirdly, the performance by Ben Kingsley is really hammy, which is funny at first but then really just starts insulting your intelligence. If you can deal with all that, you have yourself a pretty decent off-brand "Spartacus". If not well, I guess you have more taste than I do.