Gladiator @ Odeon, Manchester

Starring: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, Oliver Reed

Verdict: The Epic is back, and slaying anything in its way.

This film has everything, literally everything that you could demand. It has a full replica of the Colosseum for a start, in which you get chariot battles, one to one combat, rampant tigers, an audience of thousands, with some of the most violent battles committed to celluloid and yes you get blood, lots of blood. However, director Ridley Scott has not made a no-brainer all-out violent action film that over-reactionaries in the media can attribute blame to for a lunatic's actions or censors can get riled by. Lurking somewhere is a social comment of how people can easily have their will subverted by politicians delivering popular entertainment, as the 'the mob' did in 150 AD. This is all secondary, however, to a plot so fantastic and a film oozing so much ambition, that with nearly every slickly layered and shot scene it thrills and enthrals, for its mammoth 150 minute running time.

The ever-brilliant Crowe has now built himself a reputation as a truly great protean actor for the new millennium, he can convey so much emotion that his presence makes every scene compulsive viewing. Thus making him the perfect choice for the outcast military General turn Gladiator seeking vengeance for the death of his beloved family.

The film may be far from perfect in terms of Historical accuracy, but it is so compelling that any concerns of that nature fly out the window. After a trio of below standard films maverick director, Scott, finally showcases the talent that made him one of Britain's finest film-makers. Watch it, watch it again and again.

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by ChrisM