Rating: 3.5/5
Synopsis:
Ridley Scott returns to deliver his long awaited sequel to the epic “Gladiator”. We begin with Lucius, who’s home is invaded by the Roman Empire. He is taken prisoner, forced to participate in the vicious gladiator games within the Colosseum. He seeks revenge against those who are responsible: General Acacius and the evil Roman twins. Can Lucius find success in the arena and return Rome to glory?
Positives:
Although Ridley Scott’s recent films have been hit and miss, we can always count on him to deliver something epic. “Gladiator II” is no exception, providing audiences with the sweeping, epic battle sequences they want to see. This is the greatest improvement from the original, as the battles in the 2000 film felt choppy and quickly assembled. As good as they were for the time, the sequel greatly improves on the execution of the combat. They were grand scale and exciting, featuring greater stakes in each battle. The sword fights and hand to hand combat are fluid and well choreographed. Credit to Scott for adapting these sequences with modern technology and better use of the camera. There are even some crazy sequences featuring baboons and sharks. Historically accurate? Perhaps not. Exciting? Absolutely!
The cast does great work as well. Paul Mescal is our new lead, accepting a daunting task as he takes the mantle from Russell Crow. But he manages to craft a worthy lead in Lucius. He especially stood out in the battle sequences. Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal are also enjoyable in the supporting performances. Washington chews up the scenery as he combines a hammy, over the top performance with cynicism and the desire for power. Pascal is used sparingly but his complex role as General Acacuis is a nice piece to the puzzle. Connie Nielsen returns as Lucius’ mother, accompanied by some wild performances from Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger as the deranged twins. On top of some good performances, the costume design and grand set pieces are top notch. We feel as if we are stepping into ancient Rome and experiencing these games for ourselves. Scott has delivered another historically rich picture. I’m glad he continues to crank these out!
Negatives:
“Gladiator II” is mostly a worthy successor to the original. But it does have a few shortcomings that hold it back from greatness. There are some similarities to the first film that are undeniable. Lucius and Maximus have a similar fate, as they experience tragedy and face capture by the Roman army. Both are forced into the arena to fight with a lust for revenge. Unfortunately Lucius isn’t given as much of a backstory as Maximus so his struggle doesn’t feel as personal. Those wanting an original story might be disappointed. The second half of the film is largely new material though, featuring sharp political intrigue and some twists that keeps the story exciting. The third act is really where most of the problems came for me. Scott sets up a handful of interesting plot points that are rushed to their conclusion because the film spends most of its time setting them up. If these events were given more time to expand then they might have felt more impactful to the story.
Conclusion:
Ridley Scott has another winner on his hands. “Gladiator II” is a mostly successful film that builds on the grand scale of the original. The battles are gripping, featuring some improved special effects when executing those sequences. The performances are also solid all around. But some rushed plot points and a familiar storyline might leave audiences wanting more. The shortcomings aren’t enough to hamper Scott’s long awaited sequel. It’s a big screen experience through and through, so it gets the job done!
