Ridley Scott’s 2000 film “Gladiator” was a remarkable film that left viewers leaving the theater with battles and tragedy replaying in their heads, and maybe even a bit of wisdom. The film was set to have a sequel, as all modern films seem to have these days, but the project fell through until last year, when the sequel was announced to be released in 2024, much to fans’ surprise.
“Gladiator II” is an excellent film on its own. The film follows Lucius, the son of Maximus, the protagonist in the first film, as he returns to Rome from hiding, seeking revenge against the man who killed his wife. Lucius, played by Paul Mescal, kept my attention throughout the film, and his development through the movie, though subtle, left me satisfied in the end, and resulted in a satisfying conclusion to the film. Lucius helped add to the “survival of the fittest” tone the film set, with Lucius’s knowledge of combat and strategy helping him achieve his goals.
This being said, Denzel Washington’s character, Macrinus, stole the show whenever he was on screen. Marcinus, a slave turned man of power in Rome, is a charismatic but also clever, dangerous and conniving character, whose true goals are not revealed until halfway through the film. Denzel Washington’s delivery of every line sent chills down my spine, with every word Macrinus uttered leaving an emotional impact on viewers. Macrinus’s presence in the movie is what sold the film to me. The moral compass, or lack thereof, within Macrinus makes his actions in the film unpredictable and with that, creates a film that is sure to enthrall viewers.
The film is not without its flaws, however. For example, the movie’s plot is too close to that of the first. The movie has the same basic story of events as the first with the exception of the ending being the only outstanding part. The film does have its exciting moments with battles within the Colosseum, such as the battle in which the Colosseum is filled with water to have a naval battle in homage to the battle between Trojans and Persians. But besides that, the film lacks any identity that separates itself from “Gladiator.” “Gladiator II” feels more like a retelling of the first film than a sequel.
Still taking this into account, the film is good to watch if you want to enjoy action and its story, but when it comes to being a sequel, it lacks original storytelling or a proper continuation of the franchise. Maximus asked us once if we were entertained, and in this case, we are.
