#5 Film of the 2000s: Gladiator

"What we do in life, echoes an eternity."

Not sure about y'all, but every time I see this movie I want to fight someone. Just on principle.

There has never been a better demonstration of the term "fight for your freedom" than Gladiator. (Well ... maybe another film, but you'll see it later on in the Top 10 Films of the 2000s. That film was more of a "let's-all-fight-for-our-freedom" film, where as Gladiator was solely Maximus.) Also, what better tale of vengeance than Gladiator. The plot was known by everybody before it came out - it was so simple - yet it delivered the total punch. Hell, in case you spaced out over the first 90 minutes and forgot what you were watching, Maximus brings you right up to speed with a monologue that should fire up anyone who's got a pair.

"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the Armies of the North, General of the Felix Legions, loyal servant to the true emperor, Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife; and I will have my vengeance, in this life or the next."

Gloves are off; fists are clenched. Let's go. I dare my roommate to come home right now. The next person who walks through that door is going to get punched in the face. Sure, they'll be pissed ... but they'll understand.

This review is going to be short, simply because with Gladiator there isn't much to talk about. It's so black-and-white, so transparent, so true to the plot, and so epic. Everyone's perfectly cast; everyone fulfills their character; and everyone in the theatre knows what's going to happen next. There aren't any surprises, but we're not in the theatre to be surprised; we're here to know that we can follow a man like Maximus. We can conquer any obstacle if we fight in the name of our family, our countrymen, our honor, and our identity. If anyone tries to stand in the way of these things, the gloves come off; and you better be ready to brawal, or you better be prepared to die.

It calls you out as a man. It pushes me up against a wall, saying, "if you opt not to fight in the name of your family, your countrymen, your honor, or your identity, you haven't an excuse for what happens in your life. You live a life of quiet desperation, hypocracy, and will be forced to watch from the sidelines as others receive the glory that God gave you to claim.

...So what kind of man are you?"