Watch National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus

National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus is an American comedy spoof movie set in ancient Rome. The film revolves around Awesomest Maximus (Will Sasso), the fiercest and most celebrated gladiator in all of Rome, who loses his mojo after being caught having sex with Caesar's wife (Sophie Monk) and subsequently being sold into slavery. Awesomest Maximus becomes a reluctant house servant to the beautiful, but equally vengeful, Olympia (Kristanna Loken), who has sworn to avenge her family's murder at the hands of Caesar.

The movie opens with Caesar's (Rip Torn) celebration of his new son's birth, an occasion for which he summons his most prominent gladiator, Awesomest Maximus, to participate in a fight to the finish. During the match, Awesomest Maximus makes a grave error of judgment and engages in sexual intercourse with Caesar's wife while Caesar watches. For his transgression, Awesomest Maximus is sentenced to slavery and becomes a meek servant to a bitter Olympia whose mission is to kill Caesar.

Throughout the film, Awesomest Maximus tries to reclaim his fighting spirit while serving his new mistress. He meets a host of eccentric characters, including Olympia's mute servant Testicleese (Khary Payton), her hairdresser Gargantuus (Ian Ziering), and the dwarf Dammit (Tony Cox), who trains him to fight again. Along the way, Awesomest Maximus also encounters the likes of the servant Sarcophagus (Adam DeVine), a blackmailer (Gary Lundy), and a foolish white mage (Russell Peters).

Amidst all these absurdities, there are plenty of sexual innuendos, jokes, and puns to skewer any remnants of seriousness as the movie lampoons popular Gladiator movies like Spartacus and gladiator spoofs such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The humor is sophomoric, but the actors deliver the material with aplomb, creating a fun, raunchy comedy that never takes itself too seriously.

The writing is clever, and the ensemble cast effectively play their characters to their fullest, providing the film with enough wit and charm to keep viewers amused. Will Sasso makes a charismatic lead, and Kristanna Loken balances her character's thirst for revenge with her absurdity as she develops an attraction for Awesomest Maximus. Moreover, the wonderful Rip Torn offers an entertaining performance as Caesar, whose obsession with his son's birth borders on the pathological.

The movie's direction by Jeff Kanew moves at a quick pace, keeping its colorful set-pieces on vivid display, and each of its characters is given their comedic moment to shine. Within this framework, the musical score, composed by William Ross, provides a solid background to the entire film.

Despite the over-the-top jokes, National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus balances its risque humor with a lightheartedness that draws the audience ever closer to its story. It's an amusing, light-hearted comedy that doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. From quirky characters to absurd situations, it's a fun-filled movie that should appeal to those who enjoy a good laugh.

In conclusion, National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus is a very entertaining parody movie of the Gladiator genre. The film is humorous, its characters are lovable, and its jokes will make you laugh even after you watch it. Fans of comedic movies and slapstick comedy, in particular, will most certainly find it enjoyable.

National Lampoon's The Legend of Awesomest Maximus is a 2011 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes.