-Maximus-

I see Maximus on screen and all I can do is stare, goggle-eyed, at the screen, mesmerised and totally drooling.

But WHY????

• Maximus is a man of great charisma, honour, strength, integrity, he loves his family with all his heart, he's brave, courageous, handsome, loyal, dedicated.....I could go on and on and on... :-)

• Those wonderful eyes.  One of the first things I noticed before the opening battle. So expressive.  And speaking of eyes,  he does this really, really cute eyebrow thing, have you noticed?  Example - when he's talking to Proximo and he says, "I too want to stand in front of the emperor, as you did *raise eyebrow*"  Heehee, it's so funny
• 

• Such strong arms!  :-)  They really stand out in that blue tunic.  I am especially fond of his arm guard that he wears while as a gladiator...hehehe.

• While we're on to his anatomy...*ahem*,  nice legs too.  Not hairy, which is a good sign.  They look especially good on the white horse during the Barbarian Horde scene...mmm.  Okay, now I'm distracted.

• He is one expert with that sword, remember when he threw it into the air and caught it by the hilt while his hands were still tied?  Or when he was twizzling it around in practice before the Tiger fight?  Hmm, ambi-dextrous man, interesting quality!

• He is one hard git, but he's not without emotion.  When he's sad you just want to hug him cos he looks so cute.  I love the scenes where he's looking at his little figurines and kisses them tenderly *sigh*.  You just want to wipe all sorrow from that gorgeous face.

• Now let me get this straight, I NEVER go for guys with beards.  I always like my men to be clean-shaven.  So why is Maximus' beard so damn sexy??!!  It was especially fascinating to look at when he was a general and it went all the way down his neck...can beards really grow that long??  I still liked it trimmed though.

• He speaks of his home with such fondness, like a little boy.

• Haha, I remember when I first saw Gladiator, I thought, "What a DUFUS haircut!"  Actually now, it's grown on me (duh) and I find it rather endearing.

• Maximus is one of a few men who actually looks mighty fine in a SKIRT.  :-D

• Did I mention that VOICE??  *DROOL DROOOOOL!!!*   So deep and commanding and textured...I could just sit there and listen to him reciting the phone book and still be enraptured.

• The way he says "son". :-)

• He's an expert rider.  I've always liked a man on a horse.  Okay that sounded weird, ignore me.

• His feet are firmly on the ground and he doesn't let power get to his head.  Also, he's not the political type.

• He's a little farmer!!  That is soooo cute!   "Oim Maaximus, an' oim a farrmer, ooh-arr.  And oi will 'ave moi vengeance, oi will!"  Oh dear.

• He is a hero in every sense of the word.  I especially loved the way his commanding presence was so strong, that even when he walked through a cell full of slaves, they bowed their heads in respect, saying "General" just like his soldiers did at the very beginning of the film.  He can take command in any situation...*ahemmm*

• He still manages to look good even when he's all beaten up and spattered with blood.  I don't get it.

• He knows too well how to win the crowd (and the girls!).   *G*  I think I best stop it there!!