Best Picture of 2000: Gladiator

The growth of the Roman Empire was no small feat. You need an army, a huge army, and a great General to command it. Maximus was that General. He spent nearly three years service the Caesar and expanding the Empire. When they finally conquered Germania the Caesar was with him and wanted to know how Maximus could be rewarded for doing so much for him. All Maximus wanted to do was go home to his beloved wife and son. The Caesar wanted Maximus to do one more thing for him. The Caesar knew that his son, the next in line, would not make a good ruler. He was too selfish and hot heading and Caesar wanted the Empire to go back to the people and not be ruled by selfish being that he has been fighting back again. He wanted Maximus to be next in line after he was gone. When the Caesar told his son, Commodus, that he would not rule and Maximus would instead Commodus killed his father. In an act of rage he captured Maximus and charged him was deserting and ordered him killed. Before he was taken away Commodus tells him that he is going to kill his wife and son. Maximus escapes and tries to stop the awful fates that have fallen upon his family, but it was too late. He is so heartbroken that when scavengers come to his home he doesn't try to fight them off and gets captured and sold as a slave. It ends up being a blessing in disguise becomes he is sold to a man who trains slaves to fight as gladiators. Thus starting his path back to Rome and face to face with Commodus.

Gladiator did not come to be without some fights of it own. The first part of the production the script was not even finished, or up to the actors satisfaction. Russell Crowe even walked off the set a few times when he wasn't given answers about the script. Clearly, things worked out and Universal took home the top prize. The other movies in the running that year were: Universal's own Traffic and Erin Brockovich, Miramax's Chocolat, and Sony Pictures' Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

I was very excited to watch this film again because I haven't seen it since high school. I wasn't excited to watch it then because I thought it was just a bloody film that was just about killing people. I didn't think there was any meaning behind the story. Boy was I wrong! I have to say this film has a ton of heart and the characters are wonderfully developed. This is a great watch for anyone! It's does have a little bit of something for everyone!