Product: Gladiator [VHS] (2000)
Rating: 5.0
An Unintended Prophecy
Back in the year 2000, as we oohed and aahed at the spectacle of Ridley Scott's epic and were blown away by an ensemble of powerful performances from Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed, Richard Harris, and more, we never guessed that this film would so accurately prophesy the next six years.Indeed, a modern-day Commodus would steal the throne of an empire, neuter its Senate (and House of Representatives) and pander to an unwitting populace with an unending series of gladiatorial games (the war on terror). George W. Commodus has all but assassinated his wiser, kinder, gentler father and eagerly disassembled many of his nobler works during a smirking, self-indulgent six-year reign. He has even survived the challenge of a popular former general (Wesley Clark) whom he did not have to stab in the back before their contest (the loyal opposition did it for him). The still-unanswered question is who will rise up as our Maximus to strike down the petulant boy-emperor and restore the dream that once was the United States of America?