5/2/00: Everything you've heard about Gladiator is true. This film has been discussed for months by fan-boys drooling over the prospects. Believe me it does not disappoint. From the opening scene to the ending, there is nothing but awe-inspiring images. I can safely say that Ridley Scott is still a great director, the man who brought us Alien and Blade Runner, his drought of so-so and ok movies like GI Jane has finally ended. It may be his best movie yet.

Gladiator has so many chill inducing scenes, I can't even remember them all. The first comes only a few minutes in. General Maximus (Russell Crowe) is leading his Roman Army in their final battle against the Barbarians, the battle lines have been drawn. "At my signal, unleash Hell." Crowe performs this line with such sincerity, you know only terrible things will come of it. Soon after this begins a battle, better than any in Braveheart. Flaming arrows by the thousands, man against man, steel against flesh, a blood letting like none other. So horribly wonderful, I felt bad for smiling through it, but I just couldn't stop.

Richard Harris is the dying Caesar Marcus Aurelius his wish is for Maximus to lead Rome back into the glory days. Marcus' conniving, power hungry son Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), already plans on being Emperor. Plot points aside, this leads to Maximus becoming a gladiator.

This is where the movie really shines, every gladiator fight in the film is amazing. We get to see all kinds of fights, one against five, few against many, man on man, men chained together, tigers, and every conceivable weapon of the time. Maximus is so good at it that he can inspire the masses, he has more power with the common folk than the Emperor. He uses this power to his advantage, and in the favor of Rome.

This movie is nearly perfect. The photography is just beautiful, everything from the gorgeous vistas of Rome in its prime, to the bloody battles is a pleasure to the eye. A wonderful moving score by Hans Zimmer. The entire cast looks right in their roles, with the help of the costumes you forget that they're actors. Oliver Reed in his final role is great as Proximo, a retired gladiator, you can practically see the old battles behind his eyes. Crowe is especially good, ranging from breaking down in tears to imposing rage. I can see this role moving him into the superstar status.