It goes without saying that GLADIATOR, released in the year 2000, is one of the greatest movies of its generation, if not of all time. It was a box office hit, won multiple Oscars (including Best Picture and Best Actor), and became a cultural phenomenon alongside movies like TITANIC (1997), The Matrix (1999), and others from that era. I’m talking about movies that are just as relevant now as they were at the time of their release—movies that, ahem, “echo through eternity.”
In short, it was an epic film, loaded with style, action, and substance that would be hard—though not impossible—to follow up. Well, that’s exactly what director Ridley Scott set out to do with this year’s GLADIATOR II. Was it worth the effort, or was it trying to answer a question nobody asked? Keep reading to find out!
Now, I am fully aware that this review is late. To be honest, I almost prefer it that way. Initial impressions often come with a “groupthink” that I find annoying. It becomes trendy to hate a movie, ignore it, or parrot the same talking points. I’ve heard a LOT of complaints about this movie, so I had to see what all the fuss was about. Fresh out of the theater—let’s go!
The movie’s synopsis is as follows: After being exiled from Rome, Lucius (Paul Mescal), the rightful heir to the Roman Empire, sees his home destroyed and his wife murdered by the Roman general Acacious (Pedro Pascal). Vowing revenge, he is taken in as a slave and gladiator by the mysterious Macrinus, who has grand plans to rise through the ranks and influence Rome in ways Lucius cannot yet imagine. Along the way, Lucius learns of ties he had to a previous hero of the people, Maximus (played by Russell Crowe in the original), and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, reprising her role from the first film).
At this point, much of the movie has either been spoiled or given away, but long story short, there’s plenty of intrigue and political drama in this film. If there are any downsides, this is one of them. At times, you can feel the plot moving itself along just to make the story make sense. In a way, it lacks the elegance of the original and some of its mystery. We all know where this movie is going and why Lucius is special, but these things have to happen for the movie to deliver the goods.
These flaws are most apparent in the first act. Some moments had me scratching my head; others had me throwing my hands up. But eventually, the movie hits its stride. The performances from the core cast are solid. Paul Mescal is tough as nails playing Lucius—at times annoyingly so, but that’s down to the script, not his performance. Pedro Pascal gives a great performance as Acacious, a general weary of war and its ravages. Connie Nielsen shines in her role as Lucilla. Joseph Quinn delivers a wild performance as Emperor Geta, while Fred Hechinger gives a fine portrayal of his twin, Emperor Caracalla.
Rounding out the cast is Denzel Washington. During the film, I felt torn. There’s no doubt he is a phenomenal actor, and at times he plays with the role, adding flair and nuance that bring layers to his devious character. He clearly relished it. However, he plays it with a plain, almost American accent, which—while not damning—occasionally took me out of the movie. My experience may have been influenced by social media discourse (what isn’t these days?), but I think it would have been nice to see a different take on the character from this masterful performer.
The film’s other highlights are the sets and costumes. The costumes are resplendent, the rooms are lavishly decorated, and the food looks delicious and rich. Scott didn’t skimp on the visuals, and it shows, adding layers to this world that make it a joy to watch. And let’s not forget the epic battles and colosseum fights. As someone who has watched the original GLADIATOR dozens of times, I can say this didn’t feel like Scott was merely repeating himself. This felt like a fresh experience that still paid homage to the original, which was appreciated.
All of this made the film enjoyable overall. I left the theater satisfied, as I have been with Scott’s other recent films, House of Gucci (2021) and The Last Duel (2021).
Was it as good—or as legendary—as the first? Far from it. Does it deserve the rancor I’ve seen online? I don’t think so. Apart from the first act, which did have me rolling my eyes, the film is solid and finishes strong. The first film was an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece, even coming from a director like Scott, who has made several films that have influenced cinema and popular culture on a seismic scale.
I wouldn’t go so far as to call this a must-see, but if you’re looking for a dinner-and-a-movie outing, this would not be a waste of money to catch in theaters, and you may be surprised by what you see. Just don’t worry too much about missing the previews or the first act.