![]() Although we learn of Commodus stacking the odds in his favour when he became a gladiator, "Roman Empire" baulks at presenting the really gross things he did in the arena. Much of it is built around the work of ancient writers who could show today's tabloids a thing or two about spilling the goss on the Royals. Maybe Aaron and Ido just needed to chew a little more scenery The dialogue fluctuates between too-modern sounding jargon and some surprisingly literate passages. The trouble with all this is that we have seen some pretty arresting interpretations of these guys over the years and Aaron Jakubenko as Commodus seems just a little too normal compared to the edgier shadings of Joaquin Phoenix and Christopher Plummer - not to mention Ido Drent up against Jay Robinson's high camp turn as Caligula in "Demetrius and the Gladiators". So far there are three seasons featuring Julius Caesar bracketed by Commodus and Caligula. However these days it must be hard to find suitably ripped extras that aren't covered in tats - male or female. It looks like New Zealand is the latest land to erect the papier-mache Forum and put on the crested helmets for a walk among the Ancient Romans. Although other reviewers have highlighted the dumb stuff, the whole thing seems researched to a point, but wisely covered with a disclaimer that states where there are gaps in the historical record they have simply made it up. This is a reasonably entertaining series that is a little like those History Channel re-enactments spiced up with a touch of HBO's "Rome".
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