STARRING: Russell Crowe, Joaquin Phoenix, Connie Nielsen, and Oliver Reed

Well, break out the Kool-Aid and the hot dogs, summer is officially upon us. Well, the summer movie season anyway. Ever since "Jaws" made a ton of money some 25 summers ago, the hot months have been the time for Hollywood to trot out the eye candy. We plunk down our hard-earned dough to escape the heat and enjoy the cinematic equivalent of a fireworks display. It used to be that this onslaught didn’t start until after Memorial Day, but every year the studios start a little earlier to get an edge on the competition. This year, "Gladiator" leads the pack and I can’t think of a more fitting season opener.

"Gladiator" is the reason God created summer movies.

"Gladiator" is the reason God created summer movies. This flick is loud, flashy and action packed. Plus, it’s even got a few things that you don’t expect from your typical summer fare. "Gladiator" is also smart, well acted and densely plotted. This film is director Ridley Scott’s best movie since "Thelma & Louise" and his most visually stunning since "Blade Runner." Scott and Production Designer Arthur Max have re-created ancient Rome in an amazing combination of sets and computer-generated effects. There are a number of shots in this film that will make your jaw drop in awe.

It’s rare that you find a film that hosts as many good performances as it does thrilling scenes, but "Gladiator" features Russell Crowe ("The Insider"), Joaquin Phoenix ("To Die For") and Oliver Reed ("The Adventures of Baron Munchausen") in stirring performances. Their stellar work helps elevate the film above your standard action movie. Crowe continues to impress me with his range and intensity while Reed hasn’t been this good in years. Phoenix is a nice surprise as the cunning Emperor Commodus and holds his own against his more experienced co-stars. It wasn’t so long ago that Phoenix was playing precocious kid roles in "Parenthood" and "Space Camp." Now he has matured into a versatile and dynamic actor.

Crowe plays Maximus, a general in the Roman army serving Emperor Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris from "Unforgiven" and "Patriot Games"). Following a victorious battle against the savage Goths, Maximus is ready to return home to his family in Spain. The emperor, however, has another fate in store for him. Marcus Aurelius is old and weary from his long campaign to expand the empire and he’s ready to name his successor. He wants Maximus, and not his weak and conniving son Commodus, to take his place.

Joaquin Phoenix has matured into a versatile and dynamic actor.

Unfortunately, the emperor dies before he can share his vision with any one besides Maximus and Commodus. Since only Maximus knows the truth, Commodus orders him killed so he can assume power. Maximus escapes and returns home to find his family murdered by Commodus’ troops. He is captured and sold into slavery where he is soon bought by Proximo (Reed), who trains gladiators to fight in the arena. Maximus’ combat skills make him a natural in this bloody sport, which leads him to Rome to fight in the Coliseum. Once in Rome, Maximus begins to plot his revenge against Commodus. Everything comes to a head amidst the blood and sand of the Coliseum.

When you hear a movie is called "Gladiator," you expect it to feature some cool fight scenes, but what surprised me was this movie also had a strong story. It is more about Maximus and his journey back to freedom after falling from grace than it is about bashing skulls. Each battle is important because it shows that he’s one step closer to achieving his goal. Make no mistake that the gladiator scenes are exhilarating – and extremely violent – but they also serve the story beyond just providing vicarious thrills. The script by David Franzoni, John Logan and William Nicholson also includes an intriguing subplot about a political conspiracy against Commodus, which eventually intersects with the main storyline to provide a very satisfying conclusion to the film.

"Gladiator" is epic storytelling that is custom-made for the movies. This flick has spectacular battle scenes, exotic locales, brave heroes – it’s almost mythic. The big screen provides the story with the format that it deserves. Like "Braveheart" and "Titanic" before it, "Gladiator" has to be seen in the theater to be truly appreciated. It succeeds where those earlier films faltered by placing emphasis on the acting as well as the lavish sights. "Braveheart" is a rousing film, but it rose and fell on Mel Gibson’s shoulders. Everyone else played scenery. And would we have sat through three hours of Kate and Leo if the movie hadn’t ended with the ship sinking in all that frighteningly realistic detail? Take away the grandeur from "Gladiator" and it’s still a very entertaining film. It may look like eye candy, but it’s a feast for the mind as well.