Whether it’s watched as a single viewing or part of a spectacular ‘Glicked’ weekend (made of a double-bill viewing consisting of Gladiator and Wicked). Just like the Barbenheimer craze of summer 2023, you have to see both of them to be a part of the trend!
What is Gladiator II About?
Gladiator II opens with Lucius Verus Aurelius (played by Paul Mescal). But Lucius is also known as Hanno in his early years. This pathway to his destiny leads to showcasing his origin story. He eventually becomes a gladiator, chosen by conniving owner of gladiators, Macrinus (played by Denzel Washington). Lucius becomes a slave to serving the Emperor of Rome and must do whatever it takes to make it out alive. He is encouraged by Lucilla (played by Connie Nielson) and Marcus Acacius (played by Pedro Pascal). But Lucius ignores their seemingly helpful advances.
The Eternal City is ruled by twin brothers, Emperor Greta (played by Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (played by Fred Hechinger). The city of Seven Hills is largely aided by the help of the emperor’s advisors, winning invasions and reliant on gladiators who predominately provide the entertainment via ‘fight to the death’ games held inside the Colosseum.
But Lucius is no ordinary gladiator. He builds his strength and proves himself in front of the citizens of Rome to grow stronger each day. While the Emperor lets Rome slowly rot away and giving into its utter turmoil and despair. But it requires the sacrifice of a determined and powerful gladiator to save its city.
The Legacy of the Original Gladiator (2000)
At the 2001 Oscars, Gladiator won five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Visual Effects, Costume Design, Sound Mixing and awarded Best Actor to Russell Crowe. The original helms a sea of famous faces. Led by Russell Crowe as Maximus, Joaquin Phoenix as the evil Commodus and Maximus’ love interest, Connie Nielson’s Lucilla. British acting giants Oliver Reed as Proximo and Richard Harris as emperor of Rome, Marcus Aelius arguably steal the screen. It was a career-defining role for Oliver Reed helming as his final film after his tragic death midway-through production.
Gladiator continues to be Ridley Scott’s most successful film. Not just winning five Oscars, but becoming the second highest-grossing film of the year 2000. It’s sequel, Gladiator II comes 24 years later as it pays dutiful homage to such an iconic piece of swords-and-sandals cinema.
Thoughts
There’s plenty of flashbacks to the original. Maximus’ origin story from the first Gladiator is a similar origin story for Gladiator II’s Lucius. Of course, as its sequel, Gladiator II is very reminiscent of its predecessor.
It’s animation-style nostalgic opening title sequence is rather spectacular too. At some points the film pays homage and a classy tribute to the original classic. But at times it does not deviate enough into its own story. Paul Mescal’s Lucius matches perfectly as the son of Russell Crowe’s Maximus. He looks like a gladiator and fights like one too.
Despite some initially negative critic reviews, Gladiator II does not disappoint with its intriguing storyline, brilliant acting and epic set design. As one can imagine, the credits just keep rolling including the very long list of cast and crew members involved in this epic sequel. And as a Hollywood epic, it’s not supposed to be historically accurate by any means.
Fierce Fight-to-the-Death Battles
There’s plenty of battle scenes held inside the Colosseum with more varied and tougher competitors at each round. Another great element is how fans of the original 2000s classic will notice the hidden Easter eggs that pay homage to Russell Crowe’s hero gladiator, Maximus Decimus Meridius. There’s quite a few ‘less than subtle’ nods to the original as well.
Gladiator II’s screenwriters, David Scarpa, Peter Craig and David Franzoni found the right balance between telling Lucius’ story whilst remembering to pay respect to what made this sequel possible in the first place – the original Gladiator, of course. As Paul Mescal suits up the armour he discovers where he’s really from.
However, Lucius is not just discovering his origins but battling out his rage too. Fighting against whomever he must to escape the confides of the Colosseum. Which may be quite contradictory to Mescal’s poetic monologues which he constantly speaks through. This conveys the layers to his characters as there is also a softer side to the tough gladiator.
Although Lucius is promised early on that winning each fight inside the Colosseum would grant him freedom. As he’s told ‘the arena turned slaves into gladiators. Then gladiators into free men.’
“Rome has taken everything from me. But I will have my vengeance.”
(Lucius, Gladiator II).
Age is definitely just a number and Ridley Scott proves that more than anyone else after directing a demanding sequel epic in his mid-eighties. Recent reviews have been rather harsh on their takes for Gladiator II, mostly taking aim at its historical inaccuracies. Which would be viable had it been made as a documentary, but big-budget epics are made for entertainment not to expand on historical knowledge.
Epic Cast: The Stars Behind Gladiator II
Gladiator II is not short of a powerful Hollywood cast. Stepping into Rome is Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger. As well as welcoming back returning cast members, Connie Nielson, Derek Jacobi and Djimon Hounsou.
For up-and-coming Hollywood breakout star, this is Paul Mescal’s first venture into a big-budget epic. After having previously worked in independent films including Aftersun and All of Us Strangers. The former indie film having helmed Mescal his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023.
Also sharing the screen is Pedro Pascal, infamously dubbed ‘Internet Daddy’, plays Marcus Acacius, husband to Lucilla (played by Connie Nielson). Let’s just say Mescal’s Lucius and Pascal’s Acacius are at each other’s throats throughout most of the film. Which is not surprising after the epic opening scene sets up the fierce rivalry between the two leaders.
Although, Denzel Washington really does steal the stage (or Colosseum) in this Ridley Scott sequel. There’s talks that Washington plans to retire soon. But on screen, you would think he is at his acting height of fame. Cinema could get used to Washington’s roles as the main ‘mean guy.’ After playing so many good guy roles in such films as The Pelican Brief (1993), Man on Fire (2004) and The Equalizer (2014-2023) franchise. This new wave of Washington’s bad guy roles is something cinema never knew it needed.
Ridley Scott’s epic sequel is full of love and heartbreak, loss and victory, battles and triumphs and family, friendships and alliances. Gladiator II is a spectacular epic that is needed, wanted and meant to be seen on the big screen.
Want more cinema reviews? Read the review of Wicked here.