God, I adore this film.  From the action to the acting, from the story to the characters, this film is a masterpiece.  There are slow moments, some of which are barely important, but these are by far the lowest points in an otherwise incredible film.  The opening sequence of the movie is incredible in visuals and action, and the following emotional drama sets the tone and tension for the rest of the film.  The first half of this movie is practically cinematic perfection, with an incredible performance by Crowe.  The second half is admittedly slower, but there are still excellent action scenes and an astoundingly incredible performance by Jaoquin to keep the movie on track.  The ending is filled with emotion and climactic relief, concluding the tales of two incredibly written characters (although it is a bit cheesy to be fair).  Anyone who enjoys good movies should take the time to sit down and watch Gladiator, no question about it.