Review: Gladiator II is a solid yet unoriginal sequel

As a cinephile who’s spent countless hours in dimly lit theaters, savoring every frame of cinema history, I must say that the prospect of a “Gladiator” sequel left me with a sense of apprehension bordering on outright skepticism. After all, Maximus Decimus Meridius’ tale was as complete and satisfying as a well-aged bottle of fine wine – best left untouched for fear of tainting the memory. But alas, Ridley Scott decided to uncork his corkscrew once more, and here we are with “Gladiator II“.

Should someone inquire about a film that strongly requires a follow-up, I’d never have suggested Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator.” The tale of Maximus Decimus Meridius was as close to perfection as one could find, a complete story that concludes with the demise of its protagonist. Remarkably, even after 24 years, Scott chose to revisit this world and create a sequel, whether it turns out well or not.

In the sequel titled “Gladiator II“, we find ourselves following Lucius, who was merely a lad during the happenings of the initial film. Being the offspring of Maximus and Lucilla, Lucius potentially holds the right to rule as emperor. For his protection, he is exiled. Living under an alias Hanno in Africa, a Roman army tragically slays his spouse, sells him into gladiatorial combat, and sets him on a path of vengeance against the culprit. Along this journey, Lucius also aims to liberate Rome from the oppressive and corrupt rule of emperors and reestablish power in the hands of the people.

If the plot seems recognizable, that’s because it is. Although it’s not an exact replica, “Gladiator II” closely resembles the first film, but with some fresh components introduced to keep things interesting and balanced.

The fact this is a story that’s been told many times before means you can’t really go wrong with it: a man out for revenge with just one single purpose on his mind, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve his goal, no longer caring for his own life. It’s simple stuff, mixed in with plenty of action, all done well. Scott’s been doing this for so long that he knows how to point a camera at something and make it look amazing. As you’d imagine, Gladiator II tries to go bigger than its predecessor, with horror-inspired demon baboon attacks, an epic ship-to-ship battle, and lots of swordfights. There’s always something around the corner to keep your attention.

The acting in Gladiator II is uneven

In essence, a story with exciting actions may fall flat if it lacks compelling characters. Strong characters require skilled acting to bring them to life. However, in this case, while Paul Mescal delivers as Hanno, his character isn’t particularly complex and doesn’t quite match up to the powerhouse that is Russell Crowe. Nevertheless, he makes for a convincing revenge-driven protagonist. Connie Nielsen slips back into her Lucilla role effortlessly, as she did two decades ago. Pedro Pascal is present in the movie, but Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger appear to have stumbled onto the wrong set. Their portrayals of emperors Geta and Caracalla are excessively flamboyant and exaggerated, almost comical, which detracts from the movie and makes it feel like a Monty Python skit. There’s no hint of the menacing presence that Joaquin Phoenix brought to Commodus in the original film; instead, they seem intended to be laughed at.

Thankfully, Denzel Washington steps in to turn things around. He portrays a complex character and undeniably delivers the most compelling performance on screen. Initially, I assumed he was just another man seeking financial gain through training gladiators, but his actions soon revealed that he had a far more ambitious plan – to seize control of Rome. His ruthless side caught me off guard at times, demonstrating an unexpected level of brutality. It’s clear that he is far superior to the bulky fighters in terms of strength, effectively carrying this movie on his own shoulders.

What makes this film intriguing is that it didn’t necessitate being a sequel to Gladiator to be successful. The link to the original movie is tenuous and forced, relying heavily on coincidence to align characters and occurrences perfectly. It seems unlikely that many were thrilled at the prospect of delving deeper into Lucius’ tale, as a self-contained film could have been equally effective. Instead, it invites comparison with Gladiator, falling short in capturing the emotional core of that movie – the protagonist’s deep love for his family, which fuels his quest for vengeance.

Occasionally, it seems like Scott is striving to expand the story beyond these characters, aiming for an epic scale similar to Spartacus. Given his plans for a third movie, he may indeed have the opportunity to achieve this, if box office success allows, but nothing within this film hints at it leading to greater things.

Gladiator II is no match for Gladiator, but still fun

I approached “Gladiator II” with hesitation, given the prevalence of disappointing sequels or being directed by the same person who made “Prometheus.” However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Although it doesn’t come close to matching the original in terms of quality, it manages to avoid tarnishing its legacy. Despite the fact that many argue that “Gladiator” didn’t require a sequel, this film seems to hold the original in high regard. It frequently references and quotes Maximus as a legendary figure, echoing the famous moments from the first movie. In essence, it feels like a tribute to “Gladiator.

This sequel offers a fresh take by going backward instead of forward, which is an intriguing shift from the typical action-packed movies we see nowadays. If Maximus were to inquire, I’d affirm that it certainly keeps me engaged.

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2024-11-18 19:42