Upon learning that his father intends to restore the republic and hand over power to his most loyal general, Maximus Decimus, the son of the Roman Emperor, Commodus, decides to take the throne by force. He kills his father Marcus Aurelius and condemns the myrian Maximus Decimus and his family, but the latter survives and returns to Rome as a face-hiding gladiator. The Colosseum hosts the biggest gladiatorial games in history, which the new Emperor Commodus promises to watch up close. Directed by Ridley Scott, Gladiator won five Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor for Russell Crowe and Best Sound, Costumes and Visual Effects. It was the second most-watched film of the 2000s after "Mission Impossible 2".