Our Review

                     Movie: GLADIATOR II

       Rating: R, strong bloody violence`

                          Length: 2:28

         Release Date: November 22, 2024  

Jeanne: Twenty-four years is a long time to wait for the sequel, GLADIATOR II, but it did give Paul Mescal, who stars, time to grow up and into the character Lucius Verus, son of Maximus (Russell Crowe in GLADIATOR, 2000) and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, reprising her role from GLADIATOR). As a child, Lucius had been sent to a coastal town in Numidia by Lucilla to keep him safe after Maximus’ death.

Following a deadly battle with Roman General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) and his army, Lucius is taken prisoner and forced to fight in the Colosseum in Rome. He is purchased by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), who has an entire stable of gladiators, offering Lucius a chance at freedom if he manages to stay alive.

But the brother emperors, Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), have other plans. When they learn of a plot which could destroy their reign, they order a battle to be fought for Lucilla’s life. Meanwhile, Macrinus is planning his own coup to control Rome.

Director Ridley Scott, who is also responsible for the original GLADIATOR, has assembled quite an impressive cast. Mescal, who underwent arduous training in sword fighting, horse riding and fight choreography, is ideal for the role of Lucius. He’s a terrific actor and totally embodies the look and physique of a Roman gladiator.

Pascal is equally effective as the general whose battle efficiency is greatly admired by his emperors and the citizens of Rome. He has immense versatility as an actor. And Washington is always entertaining, especially here as the smarmy, diabolical former slave who has worked his way into a position of great wealth and power. Washington gives a master class in performance art.

But the scene stealers in GLADIATOR II are Quinn and Hechinger. Both brothers, Geta and Caracalla, are mad, and these two actors seem to revel in the opportunity afforded them. Hechinger is particularly enticing as the more demented of the two, sporting a pet monkey as his best --- and only --- friend.

Nielsen gives a splendid performance as the regal Lucilla who is afraid of no one. Along with her, Derek Jacobi is the only other actor from GLADIATOR, returning as Senator Gracchus. He’s such a marvelous thespian, but alas his part here is way too small.

GLADIATOR II is a gorgeous --- and staggering --- production. The production designs by Arthur Max are  incredible, as are the visual and special effects. The various life-and-death scenes inside the Colosseum are colossal, especially the rhinoceros, which was a 3D printing creation, and the sharks swimming within the walls as if the arena had become the ocean.

To enhance this extraordinary effort, Harry Gregson-Williams, a former assistant to Hans Zimmer, was chosen to compose the score for GLADIATOR II. It was a Herculean effort on his part and the soundtrack is spectacular. Though his sequel may not capture the same attention as the original, Scott has defied the odds and made a remarkably gratifying film.

Opinion: See It Now!

David: Director Ridley Scott turns 87 in a couple of weeks, and his love for portraying the world of gladiators in ancient Rome has not wavered. His first foray into that realm, GLADIATOR (2000), won the Oscar for Best Picture. While his follow-up 24 years later is quite a respectable effort, I humbly do not see GLADIATOR II achieving that status.

But as the characters develop, and we get to know the players, GLADIATOR II becomes more and more compelling. The star-studded cast of the first movie has been replaced mostly by lesser-known talents, with the notable exceptions of Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal.

First it should be noted that this release is replete with the requisite savagery, cruelty and power grabs one would expect from ancient Rome. We’re talking beheadings and other bloody events unique to a “civilization” that hardly lives up to that description. Replacing fierce jungle cats in the Colosseum are vicious baboons, a thundering rhinoceros and killer sharks. Clearly the unfortunate men tabbed to be the fodder to entertain the rich and powerful have a great challenge to survive.

Pascal portrays the people’s hero, Marcus Acacius, who is on a mission to restore the greatness of Rome. Washington plays the antagonist named Macrinus, who  initially seems to be a decent human being --- but that changes dramatically. At the center of all the action is Lucius, a warrior hero played by Mescal. All three render strong, believable turns and keep our attention rooted to the screen. Holdovers from the first film, Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, round out the main cast as Lucilla and Senator Gracchus, respectively.

Ancient Rome is now ruled by two brothers, Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn), and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). They are at times equally arrogant and cartoonish. The brothers have their sycophants in the Senate, of course, and seem incapable of maintaining their status. But they are the kind of characters we love to hate.

I must say that GLADIATOR II overstays its welcome at 148 minutes, but at least it is sufficiently entertaining. While Mescal does an admirable job anchoring the movie, he is not quite Russell Crowe, who won Best Actor for the role of Maximus.

Opinion: See It Now!