Gladiator

Gladiator is indeed a rich movie going experience. The film features almost every possibly aspect of good movie-making and crams it all into one tight, coherent whole. It moves along at blistering speed, never pausing to worship itself in it's own splendor.

On a pure entertainment level, Gladiator succeeds most righteously. You're able to feel your own blood start pumping more rapidly when Maximus quietly walks to the middle of the arena, ready to decapitate his next foe. I dare you to try not smiling during this film. It's hard enough holding in all your screams of encouragement and appreciation. When you see Maximus staring at his next victim, you laugh at what will happen to him. Yes, Maximus, you're going to tear him apart.

And tear him apart he does, in some of the most visceral battle scenes ever constructed. This is the Saving Private Ryan of Ancient Rome. Many similar camera tactics are used, including the fast shutter-rate takes of Ryan's now famous opening sequence. The opening of Gladiator is purely adrenalized fun, and it doesn't let up. The action is so intense, so realistic, that you begin to feel sorry for the next people in line to confront Maximus and his army. Maximus is a mighty force indeed.

Russell Crowe is Maximus, and he chews on this role like nobody else could. Crowe seems born to play the Roman general turned gladiator. His performance is chalked full of ominous presence, rapid-fire delivery of lines, and awesome physical duty. It's the kind of role that will make him one of Hollywood's msot desired actors. Could he be the next big thing? If his performance in Gladiator is any indication, he could be.

Technically, the movie is staggering. Ridley Scott and his art direction team have created the most photo-realistic Rome ever put to the big screen. The city breathes with life. It's awesome to behold. The stunning CGI is never abused, never is placed in front of the story to be told. Only a director at the top of his game would use such restraint.

The story isn't entirely original, we've seen this story many times before, especially in older epics like Ben Hur. It's a story that is told in a stunning fashion, having the gladiator battles be the method of Maximus' revenge. Hans Zimmer's music is perhaps the best score of the year, adding an unestimable amount of force to the action and drama.

I saw it the day before it came out and then felt the need to see it again on opening day. I suppose that it will not hold up from the passage of time as well as other epics have. Certain stylistic elements don't allow this. With a movie like this, however, the passage of time doesn't matter. All that matters is the feelings you have when witnessing the carnage in the arena. This carnage all happens in a film that is, without question, one of the best of the year.

On a scale of 1 to 10 Germanium trolls: 9