Gladiator (2000)

Gladiator is a movie that while watching, you can enjoy; for a while.

There's careful thought evident in suggesting what can only be conjectured. If you're going to enjoy this entertainment, don't be overly preoccupied with historical accuracy.

It's an exciting yarn...and does not disappoint the action junkie. It's just not great.

Listen to the audience as they leave the theatre. Are they talking about being moved by honor and justice, or going 'wow' at the bloodshed so spectacularly delivered?

Scott...has delivered the first Roman Empire epic in more than 30 years and it's a doozy.

[Crowe's] commanding performance not only towers over Ridley Scott's epic adventure, but elevates it to a higher plane.

If no one paid attention to Russell Crowe after his stellar performances in "The Insider" and "L.A. Confidential," they did so after he put on his Roman togs.

...One of those technically superlative, appallingly expensive, loud, sweeping, 2½-hour-long epics with lots of grit and bloodlust but very little soul.

Even when Gladiator turns nonsensical, and even when its effects shots aren't persuasive, it's hard to look away, and its 154 minutes flew by.

Crowe and Phoenix are brilliant, as usual. The rest of the almost completely British cast are excellent, particularly with dialog that could have easily come out stilted or ridiculous.