From the moment Russell Crowe's General Maximus Decimus Meridus appears on the screen in Gladiator, it is evident that this man is a King. The soldiers who fight under his banner know it, the Germanic tribal warriors who fall beneath his sword know it, and the aged Emperor Marcus Aurelius, coughing and wheezing as he watches the General amass another victory in his name, knows it. The only one oblivious to this fact is Maximus himself.

The interesting thing about destiny is that you never know what it has planned. Though he is an inspiring leader of men, a graceful warrior and a cunning tactician, Maximus will never sit on the throne. Realizing the General's inherit nobility and unparreled competence, Marcus Aurelius tries to defy the fates and name Maximus his heir, a steward who would return Rome to the people.

The Emperor's son, Commodus, has other plans of course. Rightful successor to Marcus Aurelius if bloodline is the only requirement, Commodus has none of the virtues the philosopher-king Marcus admires in Maximus, but he is a survivor who will do what he must to prevail. So Commodus takes measures necessary to ensure his succession to the throne, and orders the execution of Maximus and his family. The General escapes the soldiers who are ordered to carry out this betrayal, but cannot prevent another squadron of warriors, men he trained and led, from coldly executing the second part of Commodus' edict.

Thus set into motion is the story of Gladiator, one of the most compelling, beautifully shot films ever. Director Ridley Scott, who already has a number of film classics under his belt, climbs to a new level in filmmaking on this picture. If there were a director's Hall of Fame, Scott cemented his place in it with Gladiator.

Though crafted immaculately in terms of direction, score, screenwriting, action choreography and special effects work, the centerpiece of this spectacle is Russell Crowe. The majestic dignity Crowe infuses into Maximus is at the heart of what makes this movie work -- the sheer testosterone emitted by him is the fuel that drives the picture. Crowe's well deserved Oscar-winning performance is supported by the wonderful malicious Joaquin Phoenix as Commodus. Phoenix completely dives into the part of this twisted scion, transforming into a monster that is at all times creepy and loathsome, yet despite all this someone we can relate to in a way that we are not proud of. Veteran actors Richard Harris and Oliver Reed also turn in brilliant performances, as the old Emperor and the Gladiator Master Proximo, respectively. Reed, who passed away during the filming, leaves an incredible final mark on his film career that has no doubt caused a new generation to look into his work.

If you are looking for historical accuracy, Gladiator is not the film for you. Like Braveheart before it, it takes liberties with history to tell a wonderful story. Yes, there was a benevolent Emperor Marcus Aurelius who was succeeded by a dastardly son Commodus, but the character of Maximus is entirely fictional. Regardless, with its stunning visuals of what a bustling ancient Rome might have looked like, with its adrenaline churning scenes in the majestic Collesium and with its stellar acting from Crowe, Phoenix, Reed, Harris, Djimon Hounsou and Connie Nielsen, Gladiator is not only the Best Picture of the year 2000, but one of the finest films in the history of the medium.

RATING: 5/5 Stars

- Chris Kivlehan