It is annoying because it purports to portray actual events, and therefore wildly misleads the popcorn munching public.

Certainly Marcus Aurelius was emperor, quite true...then it turns to custard. In actual fact it was Commodus who was a gladiator: he fought about 700 matches, and was pretty damn good according to the sources. So if Russel Crowe had played Commodus, it'd be much improved.

Also, as Fe points out, many minor details are wrong, although I quite liked the Germans leaping & chanting like Zulus, if only because it annoyed Thiu so much.

AS for: "No more grumbling over Commodus' death or Lucilla's wardrobe -- just enjoy the spectacle."

Commodus death was crap, we didn't even see it - how come helmeted no-marks were taken out in blood-splashed gory beheaded fashion, but the big finale, the coup de grace, the climax of death, was so lame?

I'm busy filming a new Commodus death scene, which I've touched up in photo shop, and will burn onto my DVD. Commodus stabs Maximus in the belly, who, as he dies, pulls out his own intestines and throttles Commodus with them.
Now that's tough! And a much better ending - so nobody tell Ridley, I'm sick of being ripped off on the net.

I've also fixed Lucilla's wardrobe, that is, I've morphed it all out. There weren't nearly enough nude scenes in the original, and I find it looks better if Lucilla just plays her part naked. That way no one can complain about UnRoman clothes.

Coming soon: Glad he ate 'er! The Cross-eye's Cut! XI rated.