Movies

Gladiator 2 director Ridley Scott sparks fury in Malta by saying he ‘wouldn’t advise’ holidaying on the island – despite government paying £48m for him to film there

BBG News

As a seasoned movie buff with years of cinematic experiences under my belt, I must say I find myself rather divided in my feelings towards Ridley Scott and his latest film, “Gladiator II”. On one hand, I have always admired Scott’s ability to create epic, visually stunning films that transport audiences to far-off lands and bygone eras. His work on “Gladiator” (2000) is a testament to his talent for crafting engaging stories with memorable characters and breathtaking visuals.

However, in the case of “Gladiator II”, I must confess that I found myself feeling somewhat underwhelmed. While the film boasts impressive visual effects and a talented cast, it seems as though Scott has sacrificed depth and nuance in favor of quantity – with multiple cameras and numerous action sequences. It’s like going to a fancy restaurant and being served a buffet instead of a carefully prepared meal.

In my humble opinion, the heart and soul that made “Gladiator” such a masterpiece seems to be missing from its sequel. The original film had a richness and depth that came from careful lighting, attention to detail, and a thoughtful approach to storytelling. In contrast, “Gladiator II” feels rushed and overstuffed – like Scott wanted to get as much done as quickly as possible.

That being said, I do appreciate the effort to diversify the cast and bring new perspectives to the table. It’s always refreshing to see different voices and faces on screen. But when it comes to historical accuracy, I must admit that I found myself cringing at some of the “diversity of accents” and portrayal of characters reading morning newspapers 1,200 years before the invention of the printing press.

In the end, I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed by “Gladiator II”. It’s like ordering my favorite dish at a restaurant only to find that they’ve changed the recipe – it might still be edible, but it just doesn’t hit the spot like it used to.

On a lighter note, I can’t help but think that if Ridley Scott were to direct a remake of “Home Alone”, he would have Macaulay Culkin set traps using multiple cameras instead of jelly on the steps!

In a statement, director Ridley Scott has caused outrage in Malta by suggesting that it might not be advisable to visit the island following his work there on the production of Gladiator 2.

86-year-old distinguished British director Scott recently shared his thoughts about Malta being an attractive filming site with fellow filmmaker Christopher Nolan, mentioning to the crowd that he doesn’t recommend visiting it as a vacation spot, according to Business Insider.

Despite extolling Malta as a “hidden gem” boasting an architectural journey spanning from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, I found myself surprisingly unconvinced. In fact, I can’t help but feel that a return visit for leisure purposes is not in my immediate travel plans.

Johann Grech, holding the position of Malta’s Film Commissioner, posted a video on Facebook featuring Ridley Scott’s favorable comments such as “when it’s good, it’s spectacular”, yet omitted the part about cautioning against Malta as a holiday spot.

Politicians in Malta are infuriated by Scott’s remarks, following the Maltese government’s payment of approximately 48 million British pounds as refunds for the film production taking place in their country.

In a Facebook post, Julie Zahra, representing the cultural wing of Malta’s opposition party, stated that Grech was publicly shamed when Scott suggested avoiding travel to Malta and urged him to step down from his position.

Apart from her criticism, she pointed out that Grech had selectively posted Scott’s favorable remarks, implying that he had intentionally omitted or altered the true content, suggesting censorship and manipulation.

In a different phrase, another legislator within the Maltese parliament, Adrian Delia, criticized Scott, known for captivating millions with his retelling of ancient legends, yet apparently failing to grasp the concept of respect.

Delia said, ‘To those who extended a warm welcome, shared their past and traditions, and gave you enough wealth to reduce your taxes significantly, it’s quite unfortunate.’

Malta provides incentives to attract movie producers, justification given by Malta’s former tourism minister, Clayton Bartolo, who argued that filming movies locally would create job opportunities for residents.

In a conversation with The Malta Independent in 2023, he expressed concern about individuals enhancing their abilities and seeking employment opportunities within Malta or overseas. Will we end up depriving ourselves of their valuable workforce?

So, shall we commit to further investments in this sector to truly expand possibilities and enhance the abilities of our workforce?

Following the label of “lazy” given by his own cinematographer, Scott made choices regarding the filming methods in the Gladiator sequel.

In my professional opinion as a lifestyle expert, I recently sat down for an enlightening chat with a film director who has undergone a noticeable transformation, becoming increasingly more agitated during production. This shift in demeanor, I believe, has left its mark on the final output of our projects.

In an interview for a podcast, Mathieson, age 63, pointed out some issues he noticed while collaborating with Scott on his Gladiator films. He mentioned that using multiple cameras instead of a single one and neglecting details like props hanging in the shot were among the film’s shortcomings.

In casual terms, he expressed during the DocFix podcast that it’s quite careless. Nowadays, computer graphics are used to tidy up scenes, but they often overlook leaving objects like cameras, microphones, and incomplete set pieces in view. Additionally, there are shadows from equipment that remain unattended. And their response was simply, “Just clean it up,” regarding Gladiator II production.

He tends to act impulsively, preferring to gather a lot at one time. However, this approach isn’t particularly beneficial in the realm of filmmaking.

Examine his early movies, as they often featured intricate lighting techniques that added depth to the scenes. This is not always achievable with many modern cameras; however, he strives to accomplish everything using them.

Mathieson added that multiple cameras meant you ‘can only light from one angle’.

In comparison to the original Gladiator movie from 2000, featuring Russell Crowe, the sequel with Paul Mescal in the lead role received less favorable reviews from critics on the whole.

The production has faced criticism due to perceived “anachronisms,” including variations in character accents and scenes featuring people reading newspapers more than a millennium prior to the creation of the printing press.

Some people even went so far as to call it the “standout film of the year” and a “grand production,” praising Timothée Chalamet and Denzel Washington for their remarkable acting skills.

In the movie, Lucius Verus, portrayed by Mescal, embarks on a quest for revenge against Rome as he clashes violently with his imprisoning general, Marcus Acacius, in a gory conflict.

In this rephrased version, we find Lucius, driven by revenge, being trained as a Gladiator by Macrinus – a man once enslaved who harbors ambitions to rule over Rome. Together, they capitalize on each other’s desires: Macrinus intends to seize Rome, and Lucius is tasked with eliminating the general.

Mathieson concluded: ‘Having lots of cameras I don’t think has made the films any better.

Things have become quite hectic for him lately, which is a shift from before. However, this is how he chooses to operate, and although I’m not fond of it and I don’t believe many others are either, people adore his movies and he is Ridley Scott, so he has the freedom to do as he pleases.

Individuals opt for multiple camera setups as it allows for capturing numerous perspectives and accommodating a large cast, however, managing these setups can sometimes be overlooked.

Mathieson highlighted a contrast between the original Gladiator from 2000, which only had about 50 special effects, and its sequel, noting that the number of special effects in Gladiator II would likely be in the thousands.

Instead of a broad approach, which resembles more like someone dusting off various objects as opposed to meticulously preparing a delightful meal from their own kitchen, the British cinematographer who was Academy Award-nominated for Gladiator expressed it this way: ‘Now it’s about generally sweeping things under the rug, as opposed to me skillfully crafting a unique culinary experience in my personal kitchen below.’

Having spent years navigating the bustling aisles of supermarkets, I can confidently guide you through this task. Head to the store and select one of those spacious carts that seems to swallow everything in sight. As you push it along, let your instinct take over; place your arm on the shelf and start loading the items haphazardly into the cart. The messy pile won’t matter much now; we can sort it out later when we have more time and a clearer head. Trust me, this method has served me well through countless shopping trips, and I believe it will work for you too!

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2024-12-31 00:49

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