Put together to be entertained by Gladiator II. Director Ridley Scott crafts a sequel to his iconic 2000 movie starring Russell Crowe. This film stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, a younger boy from the primary movie, now grown and bought into slavery to turn into a gladiator within the Roman Colosseum. Few movies have gained the love and respect that Gladiator has had over time, so a sequel isn’t any simple activity. Whereas this film is not so good as the primary, it stays an exhilarating swords-and-sandals epic that delivers on practically each stage.
I wish to remind the world that Ridley Scott is 86 years outdated. He directs with a prowess exceptional for a lot of administrators of their 30s. He’s had his hits and misses, however his work has at all times regarded splendid. Gladiator II isn’t any exception. The movie opens with an motion set piece brimming with power and violence. The battles and violence have been at all times a spotlight of the primary Gladiator movie, and this film improves on the primary in a couple of regards. Not solely are we again in a world of extremely thrilling battle sequences, however Scott movies them superbly and with excellent readability at each second.
Mescal has not too long ago turned in wonderful performances in Aftersun, All of Us Strangers, and Regular Individuals. He will get his flip right here to turn into a real film star in a high-budget blockbuster. As Lucius, Mescal showcases a lot of his dramatic chops right here. It’s difficult to fill the footwear of Russell Crowe in his prime, however Mescal comes fairly shut. Maximus Decimus Meridius is without doubt one of the most partaking protagonists ever put to display screen, and Lucius will get to step up as a successor of types. He has very compelling moments, significantly in direction of the ultimate act of the movie.
However the standout right here is Denzel Washington. He’s been commanding the massive display screen for many years. When the primary Gladiator film got here out, he had already gained an Oscar and was headlining enormous films. Scott, who had labored with Washington on 2007’s American Gangster, brings him into this world completely. Washington steals the present with a efficiency that enables him to have enjoyable, be charismatic, and get us to root in opposition to him. He’s a political puppeteer manipulating the folks round him to get his means, and it’s charming to look at.
Maybe a problem with Gladiator II is that in contrast to the primary film, which was primarily pushed ahead by Maximus’s drive for vengeance, this sequel doesn’t have one clear focus. Early on, Lucius loses somebody near him, sparking an identical thirst for revenge in opposition to one other character. However because the film progresses, his purpose begins to shift. In contrast to within the first film, the place Maximus is on the forefront of practically the whole lot, Lucius will be overshadowed by the opposite characters and occasions round him. When you might have Washington because the supporting character, it’s laborious to not put practically all of your concentrate on him.
The primary film additionally made the good transfer to shortly make the viewers hate Joaquin Phoenix’s character early on in order that we’d root for his demise. In Gladiator II, we have now a variety of antagonistic forces, however none that really feel as compelling. Pedro Pascal’s character seems to be an antagonist close to the start, however the script shortly humanizes him. The principle antagonists are twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). Whereas they’re formidable villains, their connection to the protagonist is much less private. And although Macrinus isn’t any saint, Washington portrays the character with a lot magnetism that you may’t assist however like him till you may’t.
Regardless of the problems, Gladiator II offers a greater expertise than practically any film this yr. The story has many shifting components, however David Scarpa’s screenplay retains full readability and focus. Each second feels significant, and each second is partaking. Whereas the motion sequences are a spotlight, each dialogue scene has excellent writing and route, permitting you to interact with every character, their targets, and their conflicts. The film references the primary movie completely, permitting the occasions of that film to tell the whole lot on this one. It follows many story beats just like the primary one whereas permitting a lot of the movie to really feel new.
There’s additionally the truth that Gladiator II is the sort of film that we hardly ever see anymore. Movies set on this period are uncommon as a result of the primary Gladiator set the blueprint for it. Scott is again, firing on all cylinders with a movie that would have been made within the early 2000s. Even the exceptional cinematographer John Mathieson returned to helm this movie. From motion sequences crammed with kinetic power to highly effective performances, Gladiator II makes its mark as a must-see film of 2024. Motion-packed, thrilling, and a should for followers of the unique movie.
SCORE: 8/10
As ComingSoon’s review policy explains, a rating of 8 equates to “Nice.” Whereas there are a couple of minor points, this rating implies that the artwork succeeds at its purpose and leaves a memorable impression.
Disclosure: ComingSoon attended a press screening for our Gladiator II overview.
