The games, filled with gladiators, lions and tigers and bears, resume. This is good news back in the provinces where Maximus' new owner Proximo, performed by Oliver Reed, is training his boys for the big time. The biggest ring, of course, is the Colosseum in Rome. At first Maximus cares nothing about being a gladiator. Apparently, this was one of those films that was written as it was shot, and it shows.
Logic is an unintended victim a number of times in the film.
The recreation of the Colosseum is truly a work of art, too. Acting is the film's other strength. With the exception of Phoenix, who plays his character at a single, sustained hysterical note, the cast is perfect. British character actor Derek Jacobi brings great dignity to his role as Senator Gracchus, and Harris is terrific as the aging emperor. This, sadly, was the last film for Reed, who died near the end of production.