Gladiator II – A Hollow Sequel (Early Review)

Ridley Scott is a filmmaker known for pushing the technical boundaries of cinema, even if the results are sometimes inconsistent. However, he has crafted several undeniable classics from Thelma & Louise to Alien. One film that has truly stood the rest of time and continues to stand out as one of his defining works is Gladiator. The monumental 2000 epic won the Academy Award for Best Picture, and dominated the box office that year. The classic story follows the journey of Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe), a Roman general who, chosen by Emperor Marcus Aurelius to succeed him, sees his destiny stripped away from him when Aurelius’ son, Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), kills his father and banishes him. Betrayed and reduced to slavery, Maximus is forced to become a gladiator, fighting his way toward justice and vengeance.

Gladiator II is set twenty years after the events of the original, where the dream of peace in Rome that Maximus fought so hard to achieve has faded into distant memory. Rome remains mired in its brutal gladiatorial traditions, now under the rule of Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), a pair of sadistic twin leaders who inherited the throne. These new rulers revel in destruction, laying waste to entire nations and enslaving their conquered citizens, as the city spirals deeper into corruption and violence. Paul Mescal stars as Lucius, a warrior born in Rome who lives with his wife in the coastal town of Numidia. But his life is shattered when his wife is killed during a Roman attack, and he is captured and sold into slavery. Brought back to Rome, Lucius is thrown into a small arena, forced to fight for survival. His skill and rage catches the attention of Macrinus (Washington), a former slave with political ambitions who buys gladiators and wagers on their fights. Macrinus offers Lucius a deal: if he fights for him in the arena, he’ll arrange a match with Marcus Acacius (Pascal), the man responsible for his wife’s death and the destruction of his village.

The original Gladiator is an undeniable classic and a technical marvel that would become one of the defining films of the 2000s. However, among hardcore fans of the original, they were uncertain as to how Scott would find a way to continue the story, considering that the original film already felt complete. When it comes to spectacle, Gladiator II delivers plenty of thrilling moments that are sure to satisfy fans of the original. The film is grand in scale, showcasing mesmerizing battles within a stunningly recreated Colosseum. Meanwhile, the costumes and production design are exceptional, with remarkable attention to detail in every frame.

Now in terms of performances, Washington’s Macrinus is the undeniable standout. Draped in gold and jewelry, he commands attention with mesmerizing monologues, delivering a massive, Shakespearean performance that flirts with camp but never feels too over the top. Connie Nielsen also shines, reprising her role as Lucilla from the original film, delivering heartfelt moments that reflect her deep connection to the character. Her dedication is clear, giving everything to honor and expand the role.

Unfortunately, that’s where the praise stops. Gladiator II is a messy and ultimately unnecessary sequel that rehashes much of the same territory as the original. Though the first film broke new ground and defined its era, this one feels noticeably outdated. Its visual effects are surprisingly clunky and feel a decade behind the times, while its story’s shallow themes lack the urgency needed to resonate with audiences. David Scarpa’s screenplay is underwhelming, boasting a rudimentary plot and some ridiculous dialogue. The film tries to inject humour often, but nearly every joke misses the mark. The characters are largely one-dimensional, and the film indulges in its own violence without offering much in the way of depth. Mescal may be an incredible actor who certainly has potential to become one of the next big A-listers in Hollywood, he has yet to develop into a movie star as he struggles to carry the film and is frequently overshadowed by his co-stars in a role that is very thin and gives him little to work with.

In the end, Gladiator II is a sequel that falls short of the high expectations set by its predecessor. While it delivers some impressive spectacle and an entertaining performance from Denzel Washington, it simply lacks the impact, urgency, and technical innovation that made the original so immediately popular. Not only is the film poorly written, it is filled with one dimensional characters and contains moments of noticeably bad VFX. It is truly a missed opportunity that, for the most part, fails to provide a worthy continuation of the Gladiator saga.

still courtesy of Paramount Pictures

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Tristan French