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Review: ‘Gladiator II’ is a Bloody and Action-Packed Sequel that’s Every Bit as Epic as the Original
November 11, 2024Ben MK
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When it comes to sequels, there are usually two types — those that arise out of a genuine and necessary need to further the narrative journey started by the first film, and those that exist primarily as a cash-in, allowing studios to leverage the built-in fan base of a beloved original, all for the sake of a lackluster followup. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that sequels that arrive decades their predecessors typically fall within that latter, more common category. But with the action-packed Gladiator II, director Ridley Scott proudly bucks that trend, in this riveting and bombastic second chapter to one of the most seminal movies of the last quarter-century. Set in 200 A.D., 16 years after the death of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the story follows his grandson, Lucius (Paul Mescal), who was sent away from Rome as a 12-year-old boy by his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), and has now done all that he can to distance himself from the questionable morals and ruthless tactics of the Roman Empire. Now calling the African kingdom of Numidia his home, Lucius has found loyalty and love among its peoples, marrying a beautiful fellow warrior named Arishat (Yuval Gonen) and living a humble life as one of the kingdom's faithful defenders. However, when the current Emperors of Rome, megalomaniacal twins Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), wage war on Numidia, sending the decorated General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) to invade the kingdom and claim it for the glory of the motherland, it sets into motion a series of fateful events that will see Lucius making his way back to his birthplace, where he'll have to face not only his past, but also the power-hungry rulers who seek to overwrite his family's longstanding legacy and destroy his future. Captured as a prisoner of war and bought by former-slave-turned-slave-owner Macrinus (Denzel Washington), Lucius finds himself thrust headlong into the fabled arena, where he and other men forced to fight for the entertainment of the masses must resort to their most primal instincts in order to survive from one bloody battle to another. But while the other gladiators fight to stay alive, Lucius' motivations for defeating his opponents are far more complex. Intent on killing Acacius, Lucius strikes up a deal with Macrinus, agreeing to continue to fight as long as it takes to work his way up to the General himself. Little does Lucius realize, though, that the situation is not nearly as black-and-white as he thinks. But when the time finally comes for him to exact his vengeance, will he do so in a fit of blind rage? Or will he take up a sword and shield and fight for something greater — not just for himself, but for the dream of a Rome his grandfather sought to turn into a reality? Written by David Scarpa, the result is every bit as epic as the original, with Mescal accomplishing what seems like a near-impossible task — following in the footsteps of Russell Crowe and living up to his iconic portrayal of the heroic Maximus, a protagonist who has continued to live on in the hearts and minds of moviegoers everywhere, even as the first film approaches the 25-year mark. Boasting an impressive physique and a smouldering intensity that will have audiences truly believing that he's the long-lost Prince of Rome returning to claim his birthright, Mescal dominates the screen, holding his own against such formidable co-stars as Washington, Pascal and Nielsen. What viewers might be reminded of the most while watching Gladiator II, however, isn't Scott and Crowe's original collaboration, but rather the outcome of the recent U.S. Presidential elections. Suffice to say, the comparison between an ancient Rome suffering under the heavy hand of tyranny and a modern-day America that will soon find itself back under the leadership of one of the most controversial and criticized Presidents in its history is an easy one to draw. Yet, while Gladiator II very much succeeds in its own right as a crowdpleasing and nuanced story full of award-worthy performances and blockbuster action, it's this shadow of real-life drama that makes it all the more compelling. Either way, audiences will surely be entertained. Just don't be surprised if you find the movie resonating more than your average sequel. Gladiator II releases November 22nd, 2024 from Paramount Pictures. The film has an MPAA rating of R for strong bloody violence. Its runtime is 2 hrs. 28 min. |
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