Review of Gladiator (2000) by Niki S — 26 Feb 2014

My dad has been telling me to watch this movie for a long time, he said it was simply epic, so I finally did and I completely agree. It is one of my favorite revenge movies starring Russell Crowe and Joaquin Pheonix who both give amazing performances.

Crowe portrays the loyal General Maximus Decimus Meridius, who is betrayed when the Emperor's ambitious son, Commodus,played by Phoenix, murders his father and seizes the throne. Reduced to slavery, Maximus rises through the ranks of the gladiatorial arena to avenge the murder of his family and his Emperor. The gladiator fighting scenes are really directed very nicely and the scenery really makes it believable that it is played in Rome. I don't believe there is one person watching this movie who cannot root for crowe's character to succeed and who cannot feel sympathy for him, especially after his wife and kid are burned alive and hung. So as I say to all of you, I was completely moved by the character's journey from beginning to end and is an epic movie worth watching :).