Taking place 16 years after Maximus died in the Colosseum, Gladiator II sees Lucius (Paul Mescal) forced to become a gladiator himself in order to help free Rome from the clutches of its emperors and give the glory back to its people.
Gladiator is not only a Best Picture Oscar-winning film, but a beloved action epic that has stood the test of time to remain a brilliant piece of cinema. Despite having Ridley Scott back in the director’s chair, it has been 24 years, so capturing the same vibe as the original would be no easy task. Despite the difficulty, this is a fantastic sequel that honours its predecessor and furthers the story, tying directly into the events that have passed and making for a wonderful companion piece. Ridley Scott may not be as strong of a director as he used to be, but he still knows how to craft an entertaining film. This sequel isn’t quite as character-focused, but it does make up for it in how it leans more into the action spectacle and bloody violence. Scott may have been held back in the first film due to his desire to not rely on CGI, but I think that forced a deeper, more character-focused story. There is still a focus on character arcs, specifically regarding Lucius, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Macrinus (Denzel Washington), but it’s a lot more surface level this time around. Though that’s not to say it isn’t engaging.
What makes this sequel work so well story-wise is how directly tied it is to the first film – those events have an impact on this narrative in ways I didn’t see coming. It’s dealing with some of the same characters and lots of the same themes, so in many ways it lives up to being a direct sequel. While Lucius isn’t as compelling or complex of a protagonist as Maximus, this sequel does well by having two equally intriguing arcs at the forefront of the film. Alongside Lucius’ journey is that of Macrinus, someone whose past isn’t fleshed out until later on, but is wonderfully intriguing in contrast to other related character arcs. There are even some moments where I wish we could dive even further into that character’s backstory because it sounds awesome. Now that I think of it, that would make an incredible spinoff idea. Lucilla is a returning character who could have been thrown to the wayside, but she has a lingering role that ties heavily into the story. Some of her plot beats mirror her arc in the first film, but I think that’s by design.
Not every character works in here. The current state of Rome sees it being ruled by twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracella (Fred Hechinger). This dynamic is, I think, going to be a point of contention for many viewers. It’s the cheesiest and campiest element of the film in terms of the way Caracella is portrayed as immature to the point of coming across as child-like. I understand that Scott is drawing from historical accuracies when making those character choices, but it’s very jarring to go from scenes involving a son and his mother trying to reconcile their differences to one involving an emperor handing a monkey a seat on the senate. It’s a choice that doesn’t tonally fit with the rest of the film.
This movie makes full use of 24 years of technological advancements to bring the Colosseum to life and showcase more gripping, intense action sequences. The scale is enormous, with the gladiator sequences bring much-needed excitement and drama to the film. The violence is also ramped up significantly, with some bloody shots that certainly wouldn’t have made the cut in Scott’s first venture. With DoP John Mathieson returning to helm the cinematography, it’s not only visually on point with the first film, but also more impressive to look at. There’s simple shots of characters sweeping through rooms in robes and chatting in tombs that are so well lit and framed that it’s hard to not get swept up in the beauty. There’s a specific sequence where the Colosseum is converted into a venue for ship combat, and it’s a standout moment that pops on the big screen. While the action certainly delivers, the more sombre beats hit quite well. There’s less of an emotional drive for the protagonist, but there’s enough heart in there to get you caring about the wellbeing of the lead and those around him.
Replacing Spencer Treat Clark as Lucius is something that seemed questionable considering he’s still a prominent working actor, but it makes total sense once seeing the direction Ridley Scott wanted to take the character in. Paul Mescal has a much more gruff demeanour and fits the younger gladiator-type figure better. Not only does he fit the role physically, but he delivers a brilliant performance that captures some of the heart and essence that Russell Crowe brought to the franchise. He does lack a bit of gravitas, but his performance services the story and the character’s overall role. As good as Mescal is, Denzel Washington is a force of nature. He just has this presence about him that sees him regularly steal the show. Every time he shows up on screen it’s all eyes on Denzel – his performance is full of charisma, giving off a great balance of likeable yet intimidating qualities. While I wouldn’t go so far as to say he carries the film, he’s definitely the one who makes the strongest impact – so don’t be surprised if an Oscar nomination comes knocking.
While those two are great, don’t go sleeping on Pedro Pascal, who makes an immediate impact as General Acacius. He plays a character whose arc is never what I expected it to be, so I’m not going to divulge any of that information. But Pascal uses the best of his acting abilities to impress across his action- and dialogue-heavy moments. Connie Nielsen gets many moments to shine as Lucilla, and she gets multiple scenes in which she grows the character beyond her role in the first film. Without the grasp of Commodus to hold her back, she’s given more to do and makes a meaningful impact.
In the end, anyone concerned that this sequel would taint the legacy of Gladiator can put those worries to bed. Gladiator II is a sequel that honours the legacy of its predecessor, creates multiple narrative throughlines across the two films and acts as a wonderful companion piece. The story might not be as deep or character-focused, but it’s a thoroughly entertaining affair that doubles down on the action and large-scale gladiator combat. Paul Mescal is a star in the making, but it’s Denzel who commands the screen and elevates every scene with his presence. If you’re a fan of the original, this will do nothing other than enhance that love.
8.7/10
Everything Movie Reviews 
1 Comment