Director: Ridley Scott
Starring: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Connie Nielsen
‘A Mesmerizing Medieval Epic’
Few movies ever made about ancient Roman gladiators are as beloved as Gladiator. Since its release in 2000, Ridley Scott’s movie has stood test of time as a medieval masterpiece. On a personal level, I find the film about lives of powerful Roman gladiators to be relatable. At an early age, I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that had immense knowledge on gladiators causing damage. Fond of Ancient Rome, he often spoke fondly about a country he regarded to be his home. As passionate as Maximus, he would love to discuss the lives of gladiators which he considered precious. Shining bright light in darkness, gladiators contributed to his happiness. It didn’t take long before I formed a strong bond with a grandfather that adored gladiators. We would always look forward to spend time with each other seeing movies about gladiators in the theatre. Through his lifelong love for seeing gladiators fight in the Colosseum, my grandpa inspired me to pursue dreams of film criticism. However, aging brought our bond towards an abrupt closure. After he had reached the age of retirement, my grandfather lost his interest in seeing gladiators engage in a tournament. Adopting a pessimistic attitude, he lost all of his interest in gladiators that he had once in the past valued. Facing the dilemma of aging, my grandfather lost interest in seeing gladiators fight in the medieval era. As trips to theatre became less frequent, our relationship over time had become distant. For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, our bond became lost in time like tears in the rain. Looking back in nostalgia, I have grown to value a classic film that has become a reminder of my grandpa. Several years later, I treasure a legendary film about gladiators that reminds me of my grandfather that changed my life forever.
As someone treasuring fond memories of a grandfather that grew up to value gladiators making his dreams come true, I appreciated “Gladiator 2”. Ridley Scott’s recent sequel did an admirable job of celebrating a classic film about gladiators. It isn’t simple to construct a sequel to one of the greatest medieval movies ever made, but Scott succeeds tremendously. Packed with strong production-design, sharp storytelling and strong acting, it’s a fantastic medieval sequel. At a centre of it all is a bold performance by Paul Mescal, who embodies a gladiator which seeks vengeance for his past. Ultimately, what makes “Gladiator II” a great medieval film is its message. The film delivers a strong message about danger of vengeance which would resonate with everyone. Although “Gladiator II” is an entertaining medieval film, it is not flawless. It’s unevenly paced, and lacks the character development of its far superior predecessor. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment that fans of the first film would not be able to resist.
Set several years after the events of the first film, “Gladiator II” follows a gladiator seeking vengeance for his past. Paul Mescal portrays Lucius, a troubled gladiator that is haunted by his traumatic past. At an early age, Lucius had witnessed the revered hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) be killed by his uncle. Training to be a warrior, Lucius embarks upon a big journey to change events of medieval Rome. However, his dreams of becoming a gladiator are destroyed by the new emperor General Macrinus (Denzel Washington). Macrinus is a scheming political leader that has dreams for Ancient Rome that are destructive. Facing a challenging dilemma, Lucius begins to wonder whether it’s possible for him to transform in a celebrated gladiator in the Roman era. Seeking to escape his tragic past, Lucius wonders whether he would ever live up to his family’s legacy. Confronting the harsh realities of Ancient Rome, Lucius starts to question his association with a country that he once regarded a home.
Ridley Scott is fascinated with ancient Roman gladiators. A renowned filmmaker, Scott has always been drawn towards the lives of ancient Roman gladiators. His Oscar-winning film “Gladiator” offered an engrossing depiction of gladiators that fought in medieval history. With “Gladiator II”, however, Scott created his first ever sequel. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to create a sequel to a classic film about gladiators but he succeeds. Through bold cinematography, the director captures a gladiator embarking upon a journey to discover his identity. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes. Scott has always had aptitude using handheld camera in his movies to build tension, and his strengths as a filmmaker are clearly evident in “Gladiator II”. Scott effectively uses handheld camera to capture gladiators which seek to survive in the medieval era. For instance, handheld camera enhances the monkey fight scene. During this intense scene, Lucius engages in a fight with a violent ape. One appreciates handheld camera that captures tensions faced by gladiators that experience trauma. Handheld camerawork is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Antoine Fuqua’s “Training Day” suggested, handheld camerawork enhances classic crime dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Scott captures challenging obstacles which commemorated gladiators seeking vengeance in medieval history are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “Gladiator II” that merits appreciations is the production-design. From a technical perspective, the movie is very well made. As in the first film, Scott effectively uses practical effects to craft stunning action the colosseum of Rome. For instance, practical effects enhance the Colosseum fight scene. In this unforgettable scene, Lucious engages in an intense fight against General Acacius in the Colosseum. One appreciates practical effects bringing to life action in Colosseum. Practical effects are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Scott’s “Alien” suggested, practical effects elevate movies about aliens. Nevertheless, it worked immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Harry Gregson-Williams’ music contributes towards success of the movie. It gives the movie a frightening atmosphere capturing the heavy burden that gladiators bear. Through stunning production, Williams captures the lives of gladiators that face tension.
Storytelling is one of the primary reasons why “Gladiator II” is a medieval sequel which is compelling. Amidst the thrilling gladiator action sequences, the film finds time to tell a story that’s compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses flashbacks to capture a gladiator haunted by trauma. Scott’s finest screenwriting strength is capturing tensions gladiators are enduring through flashbacks. Throughout the movie, Scott expertly uses flashbacks to capture the lives of gladiators haunted by past trauma. For instance, the flashbacks elevate the childhood scene. In this unforgettable scene, Lucius recalls memories of his childhood growing up in a past Roman era. Through flashbacks, Scott crafts a strong character that audiences can easily relate to. Flashbacks are tricky techniques to expertly in movies. As Frank Darabont’s “The Shawshank Redemption” suggested, flashbacks enhance prison films about redemption. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Though a bold screenplay, Scott captures gladiators facing a price to pay.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Paul Mescal delivers one of his best career performances as Lucius. Mescal achieved appreciation for playing depressed fathers in dramas. With “Gladiator II”, however, he took on his most emotional role. It isn’t simple to portray the emotions faced by a gladiator in medieval history but Mescal succeeded. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him in the past before: intense, charismatic and riveting in his most memorable role. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, trauma and rage of a gladiator which embarks on a journey to discover his identity. It’s a terrific performance from one of the finest actors in Hollywood today.
Denzel Washington is dazzling as an ancient Roman general that embarks on a journey of self destruction. Washington has always been one of those actors with an aptitude stealing the show in supporting roles, and his strength is evident in “Gladiator II”. It’s a role that gave the actor an opportunity to exhibit his bright presence. Whether he’s issuing orders toward gladiators that are commanding or seeking to plan the destruction of cities, Washington uses his larger than life charisma to create a commemorated Roman emperor that is compelling. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the greatest actors in Hollywood today.
The supporting cast is sensational and also worthy of appreciation. Connie Nielsen is captivating, bringing compassion to a queen concerned about the safety of her son that participates in gladiator fights causing destruction. Pedro Pascal is powerful, bringing a strong sense of authority towards an army general that is determined to fight against gladiators to bring Rome to a downfall. Lastly, Joseph Quinn merits appreciation. As a mischievous Roman king, he brings maniacal energy to the movie.
Despite is excellent performances, however, “Gladiator II” can’t quite capture hardships ancient Roman gladiators go through. If there is a minor shortcoming to the movie, it lacks engaging pacing. Unlike the first film which was perfectly paced, the sequel lacks strong pacing. Scott’s decisions to integrate political subplots into the movie is bold but it destroys the pacing. Due to this faulty decision, scenes focusing on politics of Ancient Rome aren’t as engaging as Lucius’ journey. Furthermore, the film lacks compelling character development. Whereas the first film found a strong balance between spectacle and storytelling, the sequel lacks this balance. We’re barely given reasons to care for Lucius beyond the fact that he was abused as a child. Scott’s choice to focus on spectacle sorely leaves little room for strong storytelling. Therefore, “Gladiator II” doesn’t live up to the soaring heights of its superior predecessor.
Nevertheless, fans of the first film will definitely enjoy “Gladiator II” and so will move-goers seeking exhilarating entertainment. A mesmerizing medieval sequel, it celebrates a classic film that has built a legacy which is lasting.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about gladiators seeking to keep crowds of Colosseums entertaining facing challenging emperors that are terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of a movie that forever changed the world by educating the public about ancient Roman gladiators in medieval history leaving behind an enduring legacy which is definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 