Reviews

Even if the movie was a bit too long, it was quite entertaining. The fighting scenes were awesome, especially the man to man combat scenes. The director did a good job with the mythological elements; removing the gods and turning the myth into history. For example: Achilles is pulling out all the arrows but not the one in his heel, and that explaining why everyone thought he was immortal anywhere else. That's cool! And that's what saves this movie, that you actually can believe this happened once. That it isn't just entirely fiction. Hell, it COULD even been a GOOD movie, had it not been for one particular actor: Brad Pitt. I have no problem with any other role, Hector is VERY good in fact, but Brad Pitt is simply WRONG! He has'nt got enough energy or spirit! It isn't only because his acting, but his appearance also. Look at him, no Greek look like that! He's blond, and so is Helen of Sparta!! It is horrible that the two most beautiful and godlike characters in the movie has to be blondes. I don't know why, I'm blond so I should be flattered, but instead it makes me sick! I'm glad Orlando Bloom got a supporting role, because he hasn't got the experience to play a major role. He does his part very well in fact. I enjoyed his fight with Gleeson, I think it was the best part in the movie! Another character that I felt wrong was Sean Bean as Odysseus. I don't understand!!!!..there must be lots of great Greek, Turkish or Macedonian actors, but instead they take actors that Pitt or Bean, that does not look Greek at all! The movie does not feel genuine or real if the actors can't fit into the environment. But i guess that's the only way to get teenage girls to a movie like this, is'nt it? YUCK!

First, the good parts: The movie looks really nice, great special effects and magnificent environments. The battle scenes are some of the best I've ever seen, thrilling and realistic. Joaquin Phoenix is also very good as Commodus.

WARNING---SPOLILERS CAN BE FOUND

Now for the bad parts, and unfortunately, there are many: Damn it Ridley Scott- Read a history book! The movie is FILLED with historical mistakes and errors. I tried no to think too much about them, and I tried not to care, but when they are so obvious and incredibly silly, I could not ignore them. Here are only four of them, to keep it short. FIRST: The Germans did NOT stand in an open place, waiting as the Romans loaded their siege equipment and prepared their archers. Speaking clearly: The Germans were not freakin' STUPID! They used a type of guerrilla warfare, hiding in their forests, and making surprise attacks, often at night, when the Romans were camping and resting. SECOND: SO, Maximus rides from Germania to...Spain? wounded? And taken by slavers to northern Africa? That would have taken months, even years! THIRD: Maximus is what..Spanish? The word Spanish was'nt even invented by 180 ad. Spain was called Iberia and the inhabitants Iberians, and these where barbarian warrior tribes of possible Celtic origin. FOURTH: The emperor is fighting a gladiator in the Colosseum? Very silly.

Furthermore, the acting could have been much better. Russel Crowe is quite boring! You can't feel for him in the same way as you could feel for Mel Gibson in Braveheart, just for example.

I know- Everyone is NOT historians, and some only want to get entertained and have some action at the screen, but I can't help but feel that this movie is overrated.