Gladiator 2000, Rated R Dreamworks Home Entertainment

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Starring Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, et al. Released to DVD on November 21, 2000.

An action-adventure epic is only as good as the lead character. In the case of Gladiator, that lead character, as played by the white Denzel Washington in Russell Crowe, is one of the strongest, take charge, kick ass leads in the last five years. Crowe stars as Maximus, the most highly decorating Roman general in the army, loyal to Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris). When Marcus Aurelius dies and leaves the throne to his hedonistic and cowardly son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), Commodus' first act is to order several soldiers to kill Maximus, the popular choice for a new ruler. Maximus takes the opportunity to kill his would-be executioners and escape. Wounded in the fight, Maximus is picked up and sold to a North African slave trader who specializes in supplying Rome with gladiators for use in their sadistic games. When Maximus is purchased as a gladiator, things change. While David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson's screenplay is solid and Ridley Scott's direction competent, it was Crowe's soft-spoken leadership as Maximus that made Gladiator the box office success it was. Larger-than-life in his gladiator gear with an attitude, athletic ability and name to match, Crowe's performance here launched him into superstardom. Gladiator is that rare summer blockbuster that is both entertaining and intelligent.