2000, 2 hrs 30 min., Rated R.�Dir: Ridley Scott. Cast: Russell Crowe (Maximus), Joaquin Phoenix (Commodus), Connie Nielsen (Lucilla), Oliver Reed (Proximo), Derek Jacobi (Sen. Gracchus), Djimon Hounsou (Juba), Richard Harris (Marcus Aurelius).

Friends, humans, movie lovers, lend me your eyes. The first blockbuster must-see movie of the year is out, and if all summer films were to live up to the standard of Gladiator then this will be a superb season, indeed. Of course, that's not possible, and this movie will feed many a challenger to the lions in the months to come.

Gladiator is not just an action flick, it is an epic that has more depth than U-571 dares to dive, more strength and honor than Rules of Engagement can dream of earning, and more, well, everything than The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. Where am i going with this? Nowhere, really, just that you should see it.

Russell Crowe has already proved to be one of the best actors in the business, but here we are shown just how much versatility the Academy Award nominee possesses. I knew that if he were anywhere close to as intense and stoic as he was at the Academy Awards in March, then he would be incredible as a Roman general.

Crowe shows a physical prowess that is matched by the emotionally demanding role of Maximus. The most revered general in the Roman Legion, he is ordered to be executed by the petty son of recently deceased Caesar Marcus Aurelius. Maximus, however, escapes only to be enslaved and then made a gladiator set to kill in the coliseums of the Roman Empire.

Maximus is a regular Knute Rockne, always having the right words to boost the morale of his troops and have them prove their mettle in battle ("What we do in life echoes an eternity"). He's a natural leader and amazing fighter, what he needs to exact vengeance on his enemy. When he becomes the most popular gladiator in the empire, he draws such tenacious crowds that even Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa would be envious.

There is so much story to be told in Gladiator, I didn't even notice that two-and-a-half hours had passed, so don't let that prevent you from going to the theater. The film had me so pumped that while at work, the repetitive sounds of the escalator began sounding like a crowd roaring as one, "Maximus, Maximus, Maximus, Maximus...!"

That reaction is a main reason I can guarantee that men will get a kick out of Gladiator. I know, I know, I write about the depth and emotion, yet when it comes down to it, the action is something to behold. Just as testosterone fuels our desire to see wrecks in NASCAR or cheer fistfights in hockey, there's a certain rush when males witness destruction or other males challenging one another for superiority. Ultimately, though, more than witnessing blood spattering or hearing the crunch of an axe imbedded in a human skull, "the mob" loves to celebrate winners and feel a part of success. This is necessary in order to feel worthy enough to attract those humans that have breasts.

In Gladiator you might notice elements of Ben-Hur, Spartacus and even Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves throughout Maximus's journey. As a slave he finds his beloved home burned and his family murdered before rising to glory once again; all in the name of vengeance. I dare say, though, that 20 years down the road another gladiator film will come out, and I'll point to this one as setting an example.

Ridley Scott, whose past directing experience is incredibly varied, including Alien, Thelma & Louise, 1492: Conquest of Paradise and even G.I. Jane, hits his marks in Gladiator, an epic that he did so well that it must be a dream to watch on the big screen. Since the action doesn't carry the movie alone, I must give a lot of credit to the story and screenplay by David Franzoni, with an assist by John Logan and William Nicholson.

Joaquin Phoenix is unparalleled as the sniveling, spoiled brat that one might expect from an heir to the throne of an Empire. Phoenix (8MM, Inventing the Abbotts) plays the villain, Commodus, so well that one wonders if it is a coincidence that his character's name reminds one of a porcelain object frequently used for bodily waste deposits. And if the most obvious evil tendencies aren't enough, Commodus also has incestuous tendencies and one scene suggests pedophilia. All right, already, he's evil, we get it! Then again, one might be willing to understand Commodus' anger. After all, his own father chose another to succeed him, and told Maximus that he was "the son I should have had." Yeah, that has to hurt a bit.

My current obsession: Connie Nielsen, Commodus' sister, Lucilla. Sort of a younger but cuter Kelly McGillis, Nielsen is very sweet, sexy and beguiling in her role as the woman caught between two avenging men, while at the same time trying to protect her son and the Empire. Yeah, yeah, men fight with heavy weapons while it takes a woman to keep an eye on the big picture.

I received a spark from Oliver Reed as Proximo, Maximus' owner yet mentor as a gladiator. Sadly, Reed died when filming wrapped and before he could see the finished product.

Also worthy of mention for their parts in Gladiator include Richard Harris as Caesar Marcus Aurelius, Derek Jacobi as Senator Gracchus and Djimon Hounsou as Juba, a gladiator stripped from his family in Africa.

Summer is upon us, and Gladiator has set the bar pretty high. Let's hope someone can approach the on screen glory presented by Ridley Scott and Russell Crowe.