Roman gladiator movies rank high in the echelon of epic Hollywood films. The nine-minute chariot race in Ben-Hur. The monumental crowd and battle scenes in Spartacus. The furious gladiator fights in Gladiator, including real tigers. And now the sequel, Gladiator II, with a flooded Colosseum re-enacting a famous naval battle…complete with sharks. Indeed, director Ridley Scott takes it up a notch, maybe over the top, with the computer-generated imagery. Still, the visual effects don’t overwhelm the fine acting and familiar, satisfying story.
Gladiator II stars Paul Mescal (Aftersun) as Lucius Verus Aurelius (a.k.a. “Hanno”), grandson of Marcus Aurelius and son of Maximus Decimus Meridus (the protagonist of the first film, played by Russell Crowe). Lucius’ home is invaded and captured by the Roman Army, led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal, The Last of Us). His wife is killed by the invaders. Lucius seeks revenge and fights as a gladiator for Macrinus (Denzel Washington, no identifying film necessary), a former slave who plans to overthrow the twin emperors, Geta and Caracalla.
While Connie Nielsen reprises her role as Lucilla and there are a few brief flashbacks to Maximus, you don’t need to have seen the original film; the sequel stands on its own. If you have seen the original, you may find yourself in familiar territory. While slaves being trained as gladiators and leading rebellions are a common theme in ancient Roman movies, Gladiator II is almost too faithful to its predecessor. Generations come and go but the struggle for family and power remains the same. Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal share a similar dynamic with Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix.
Mescal can’t live up to Crowe’s Best Actor performance, but he does portray strength and tenacity. Pascal’s Acacius lives a live of luxury with wife, Lucilla, but spends most of his time off at war. His disillusionment with killing arrives too late. It’s Macrinus that steals the show. Washington is truly enjoying himself as he glams it up while undermining the completely deranged twins. Along with the theatrics, the blood count is also up in Gladiator II. In addition to numerous gory deaths on the battlefield and in the gladiator ring, it’s not just sharks out to kill. More mega creatures are unleashed in the Colosseum. All in all, it’s an entertaining, historical joyride. See it on the big screen where it was made to be seen.
D² Rating◼◼◼◩☐
Trivia: Ridley Scott has been nominated for Best Director three times. Name the films.
Answers: Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, and Black Hawk Down
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