Gladiator
Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoneix, Djimon Honousou, Oliver Reed
Directed By: Ridley Scott

In Ridley Scott's epic films Blade Runner and Alien, his movies were popular because of the mood that they set, both being dreary and dark. In Gladiator, Scott takes a turn for the dreary of heart. Russell Crowe stars as Maximus, a Roman general, who is hand picked by Marcus Aurelis to become the emperor and supersede his son Commodus (Phoneix), and return Rome to a republic. Commodus learns of this, and kills his father before he can tell anyone, making himself the ruler of Rome and all it's territories. As for Maximus he has him exiled to be killed, and has his family crucified. Maximus becomes a slave, who is forced to fight in gladiator fights under the supervision of a gladiator trainter played by Oliver Reed, who coincidentally died during filming, making his character be digitally put on screen. That part is his las scene in the movie, just in case you wanted to check it out. Maximus vows vengeance and sets out for it at the Colleseum. The movie is a hefty two and a half hours of freedom fighting and plot. Russell Crowe blisters as Maximus, as he is pushed to his boiling point. Crowe will no doubt be a star after this movie. Joaquin Phoneix plays the evil emperor quite well, bordering close to a camp villain. But the key scenes are those of the Colleseum, which are showcased, by digital effects, and the fighting scenes. One scene in particular is the opening battle scene where flaming arrows fly across the screen as if they are bullets. Gladiator will have you up and cheering for Maximus and his entire crew. A