By Elliot Lines - November 11, 2024
"You will meet them again, but not yet." - It’s been 24 years since Gladiator ended with that powerful line, and now the time has come to return to Rome in the eagerly awaited sequel to Ridley Scott's 2000 epic. From the trailers, Gladiator II promised to be a big screen feast worthy of it's predecessor. With grand action scenes and screen stealing performances from Denzel Washington and Paul Mescal, Gladiator II delivers in the big screen experience, however the emotional stakes leaned far too heavily on the original, struggling to emerge from the shadow of Maximus' journey.
16 years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home. With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honour needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.
A return to Rome in the Gladiator universe has been discussed for years, with some quite spectacularly wacky ideas coming along the way (Read script from Nick Cave HERE). Ridley Scott is a master of his craft, and ever since the 2000 release he has tried his hand at many historic tales (Kingdom of Heaven, Robin Hood, The Last Duel, Napoleon). Each has its own qualities and distinctions, yet none quite capture the epic impact of Gladiator. His return to this world promised excitement, and he has delivered a sequel on a truly grand scale, yet it doesn't come without it's issues.
Gladiator II dazzles visually throughout its runtime, most notably when it comes to the scenes within the Colosseum. Audiences are treated to a variety of spectacles, from a gladiator riding a rhino to a battle across shark infested waters - moments that deliver that blockbuster experience audiences will be looking for. The film looks fantastic, and as shown in the featurette Making of an epic, Scott's dedication to the large scale film-making have paid off in the visuals on screen.
In the titular role, Paul Mescal stars as Lucius. Mescal has been becoming a regular presence on our screens, and he doesn't disappoint here. In perhaps his biggest role yet, he follows in the footsteps of Russell Crowe's legendary portrayal in a similar role and he is having to compete against one of the biggest names in Hollywood. Denzel Washington is the other standout here, unsurprisingly. His role comes with complexity in the form of deviance and lust for power, but Washington takes this in his stride and delivers a compelling performance.
As for the supporting cast, Pedro Pascal turns out as Roman General Marcas Acacius, however does feel slightly underutilised. Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger play the twin Emperors with both giving solid performances as these eccentric characters at the height of Roman power. Returning Connie Nielsen struggles a little to bring back the impressive performance as Lucilla in the original film.
There is a familiarity to this story-line that can't be overlooked. You can't help but notice that almost beat by beat Gladiator II is following the same pattern of Gladiator, with very little deviation from that original story. Lucius going on a similar journey to his father makes for an interesting watch, however you can't help but feel there could've been more to his journey than treading on the same path as Maximus, which leads me into some of the biggest issues I personally had with the film.
Whenever re-visiting Gladiator the same emotional beats hit. Maximus' journey is gripping, pulling you into a deeply moving experience. Gladiator II, however, leans heavily on these emotions, which ends up hindering it's own characters. Flashbacks from the original appear frequently, and Maximus' name is uttered at every opportunity, so when "Now We Are Free" echoes over Lucius final speech, it’s Maximus’ journey that comes to mind - not Lucius’. While this may work for some, the weight of Maximus’ legacy casts a shadow, making it harder to fully invest in these new characters despite strong performances.
Gladiator II brings viewers back to Rome in a grand, visually impressive sequel that honours the original’s epic scale, yet struggles to forge its own path. Despite powerful performances from Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington, the film leans too heavily on Gladiator's emotional resonance, overshadowing Lucius’ journey with the legacy of Maximus. For fans of the original, Gladiator II offers an unforgettable blockbuster experience, but those looking for a fresh narrative may find themselves wanting more.
Gladiator II releases in cinemas November 15
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