Directed by Ridley Scott
Written by David Scarpa
For those already familiar with the 2000 Best Picture winning film Gladiator from legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott probably need not read this review at all (but I sure hope you stay anyway!). That is to say, the long-awaited sequel from Scott, Gladiator II, is much in the same vein. So to summarize, perhaps dangerously early in my review of the film, it follows many of the same beats as the first, offers many of the same thrilling action and hand-to-hand combat scenes, and provides a backdrop for not only Ridley Scott to flex his muscles, but also the stellar cast involved in the production, including screen icon Denzel Washington and the young Paul Mescal, who himself is on the doorstep of superstardom. So if Gladiator worked for you last time, the sequel should not disappoint. While if you were not in the majority nearly a quarter century ago in the outpouring of adoration, then there’s likely nothing here to impress you.
A mere 16 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius, the philosophical emperor of Rome, we see the great empire has fallen into a seedy world of corruption and bloodlust under the rule of twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), who use their impressive General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) to conquer the known world, creating a small army of slaves and gladiators from the conquered peoples. One such promising gladiator is Hanno (Paul Mescal), who becomes the instrument of enterprising politician Macrinus (Denzel Washington), who is looking to obtain as much power as Rome has to offer. But Hanno’s mysterious origins begin cause suspicion and intrigue in the capital, recalling the great gladiator Maximus before him.
Hollywood seems obsessed with the legacyquel, or rather the resurrection of beloved films from studio’s pasts in hopes of making another bag of money. In a business sense, the motives of these movies are certainly money over art, and more often than not I would argue the result is underwhelming and disappointing results. However, there are a few examples where the fans wanting more were perhaps actually right, under the right circumstances and the right artistic hands. Take Top Gun: Maverick for example. That movie was a tremendous success both financially and artistically, a shining example of what the legacyquel can be. Gladiator II falls somewhere in the middle, perhaps closer to the top end of the spectrum. But it is not without its faults.
For one, the film mostly uses the same story beats as the original, with some subtle changes. Now, it’s a story that works, so it works here too, but when comparing it to the original, the Russell Crowe films simply feels fresher, bolder, and more impressive. Secondly, the film feels much more reliant on shoddy CGI tricks than the original, which integrated early CGI technology into a world of practical effects and stunts to create the breathtaking gladiator sequences and Roman architecture. It feels like a step back in that regard. But by also being a retread of an earlier film, it doesn’t feel as fresh or urgent either.
That is, however, not to say that Gladiator II isn’t fun as hell and an intriguing, entertaining film from start to finish. Despite those flaws, it follows a solid blueprint on its way to thrills and explosive moments. Most notably, Denzel Washington’s performance here is incredible. He feels like that breath of fresh air into an otherwise stale retread that a movie like this requires to be successful. He brings his patented swagger and charisma and overwhelms the screen with his power. I also think Paul Mescal is strong in the lead role of Hanno. While different in his approach when compared to Russell Crowe, who brought a level of bravado, power and confidence to the role, Mescal is slightly more emotional and soft as Hanno. It adds a new dynamic to the lead role.
As can be expected from a Ridley Scott film, even if he is now well into his 80s, the craft is impeccable. So many IP blockbusters nowadays lack the kind of power and pacing of a master filmmaker like Scott. What really stood out was the way the film was cut. Coming in just under two and half hours long, the film really moves and never lags at any point. That isn’t to say it steamrolls ahead at breakneck speed either. Scott and his collaborators know just the right times to linger and expand, while also knowing the precise moments to move on. It’s an underrated element to blockbuster filmmaking, especially in an era of many bloated IP megamovies. As a great fan of the original film, Gladiator II I was certainly quenched by Gladiator II. It managed to build upon the mythos of the first, carve out just enough of its own space, while perhaps being held back slightly by coming second to such a remarkable first film.
Corndog Chats 