Write a review in which you support the film for its Oscar film of the year 2000 and ward of its critics.

After the initial battle scene, Maximus is resting in his camp, the layout of his room with the good use of props; again make the setting have an effect on the viewer making it feel like it's genuine to the time period. Examples of props for this scene are the candles and its holders and the banners of the Roman Empire which are situated on the walls in the background of the picture.

When Maximus goes home to find his wife and child hanged. The music in that scene makes it's 4 times as dramatic, then it would have been if there was no music at all. At the beginning of the film its starts with Maximus walking through long grass towards a wooden door. After he finds his wife and child, it is the first time since the beginning that we see this flashback again. This special effect is crucial for the film. As it now shows that Maximus has only one aspire, to get to the door and be re-united with his family.

Maximus is taken in to be a slave. There is big change between the costumes worn by the glorious Roman Army and the slaves. Maximus now has to change from being a general and killing for his empire, to now killing just to stay alive. The sound effects is great the chinking of the chains, and the coming together of blood thirst swords, and not forgetting the cries of pain and death. As the fight finishes Maximus is left standing in the middle of the 'stage of death' the camera starts to move around Maximus and concentrates of the crowd. This is an important effect because it shows that if Maximus wants to stay alive then he would have to please to the crowd to win them over.

With Maximus creating havoc at the minor events in the smaller villages, Maximus and the rest of his fighting slaves get the chance to go to Rome and take part in the 150 days of games. When entering Rome the realism is grand. This is because we see carriages and horses with the detail that is required. We also get to see the occupants who live there, in the every day clothes. These minor parts are not important for the storyline but still every little character have a different costume which has had plenty of time taken to create it to make it specific.

The Colossian has been in ruins for many hundreds and hundreds of years, with excellent computer effects it has been re-built to make it as breathtaking and extraordinary as it was once in the days of the Romans The props used also makes the scene just right, there are statues of the former emperors.

When In the Colossian for the first time, and ready to start battle, the camera again spins round like before showing the crowd. This time the crowd is much bigger. A lot of credit has to go to the people doing the special effects. They make it look so real in the Colossian; this is because most the people in the crowd are computerized effects. The first battle is bigger and better then before. Maximus and his fellow slaves have to defeat chariots. With the leadership of Maximus, they work as a team, and eventually defeat there enemies. With powerful music in the background and the sound effects of the crowd cheering makes the fight much more exciting to watch.

With Amazing effects we get to see Maximus fight off tigers while also fighting an undefeated champion. This effect is astonishing because it really does look like he is fighting off a real tiger. After the battle with the tigers, again the powerful music plays. This creates an atmosphere that Maximus is invincible and will fight until he gets his freedom.

The final battle consists of an injured Maximus and the emperor, with Maximus winning the fight, and killing the emperor, Maximus is now the new emperor, he asks for the empire to become a republic once more, before dying of the wounds he was given before and during the fight. With the music playing it gives you the sense of heroism once more. When ordering for the empire to be a republic, Maximus has the vision of walking through the grass towards the door. The difference this time is that he actually gets to the door and is able to see his family again. The death of Maximus is a very powerful ending, and the music reflects that.

The storyline is great by its self, but I believe the film has become greater still with the help of Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, for creating the powerful music, which helps depict the atmosphere of the film.