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Director Ridley Scott has always been interested in examining history in his own unique way. From the Book of Exodus to the Crusades to France in the late 18th century, there are few times or places Scott hasn’t explored in his films. However, aside from two sequels to 1979’s “Alien,” Scott has never revisited a story or tried to expand on a world he created.

24 years after winning the Academy Award for Best Picture with “Gladiator,” Scott returns to the Colosseum and the political intrigue of ancient Rome with “Gladiator II.” While the sequel has some memorable moments and takes risks with its action sequences, a lackluster script doesn’t advance the ideas or themes in “Gladiator,” so the movie feels more like a remake than a new story.

“Gladiator II” is set 16 years after the original film’s events. Rome is thrown into chaos during the reigns of twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger). When a mysterious gladiator enters the Colosseum, he inspires the Roman people to rebel, turning the city upside down. If that sounds familiar, that’s because it’s the same plot as “Gladiator.”

Every plot point in “Gladiator II” feels like a lazy rehash of the original movie, leaving the film very few chances to surprise the audience or show something different about Rome and the people who inhabit it. The constant reminder of how much more interesting the first “Gladiator” is compared to the sequel makes the overall impact of “Gladiator II” minimal.

The biggest difference between “Gladiator II” and its predecessor is the lead performance. Russell Crowe’s performance as Maximus in “Gladiator” is one of the greatest performances of the 21st century, winning Crowe the Academy Award for Best Actor and vaulting him into stardom. Scott tabbed Paul Mescal for the lead role as Lucius in “Gladiator II,” but Mescal could not bring the same gravitas and charisma as Crowe, making it difficult to connect with Mescal’s character in the same way.

Mescal broke onto the scene in the Hulu series “Normal People” and the A24 film “Aftersun.” In both performances, Mescal plays strong yet sensitive characters struggling with inner feelings they are nervous about showing. He’s incredible at subtle acting with quiet emotion.

Unfortunately, his role as Lucius in “Gladiator II” requires more bravado, which Mescal doesn’t bring. Even in the film’s more emotional moments, Mescal’s sad, sensitive acting ability doesn’t shine through. Lucius seems more stoic and unbothered than truly affected by what is happening to him. The shadow of Crowe hangs over the entire movie, specifically Mescal’s lackluster performance.

Mescal’s shortcomings stand out even more when he’s on-screen with Denzel Washington’s Macrinus. Washington brings so much charisma to his role that he makes every other character seem two-dimensional.

Macrinus discovers Lucius’ abilities as a gladiator and seeks to use him as an “instrument” to cause friction within the Roman Empire. Despite his evil intentions, it’s easy to root for Macrinus because Washington makes the character feel real. As we learn about his past as an enslaved person and gladiator, both Macrinus’ complexity and Washington’s performance grow. There’s no supporting character like Macrinus in the original “Gladiator,” so it’s no surprise “Gladiator II” feels more exciting when he’s on-screen.

“Gladiator II” stands out from the original movie’s exciting and inventive action sequences. While the first film features an iconic fight against tigers, many bouts are man-to-man, often brutally physical.

In “Gladiator II,” Scott uses his loose interpretation of history to bring creative gladiatorial combat to the screen. The most memorable and controversial among historians involves filling the Colosseum with water and sharks as two groups of gladiators fight in boats. Despite how ridiculous and unrealistic this may be, it’s an incredible set piece that showcases Scott’s ability to choreograph and direct action.

Cole Ross | Digital Design Director

During the traditional man-to-man gladiator fights, Mescal and his co-stars can hold their own, bringing much-needed physicality to those scenes. In a pivotal moment between Lucius and General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), the actors bring strength and intensity to the fight, and the tension between the characters is very believable. The fight scenes offer an energy boost to a poorly paced film that is often difficult to follow.

Unfortunately for “Gladiator II,” the tremendous action scenes ultimately feel shallow, as the film never presents real stakes or resolution. The big reveal that Lucius is the son of Maximus falls flat because it doesn’t amount to anything meaningful. It feels like a tacked-on plotline to connect the sequel to the original film used to give the film more emotional weight, which fails.

Other than wearing Maximus’ armor in the climactic battle of the film, Lucius never does anything connecting him to Maximus or to have a similar position of power and authority that his father was in “Gladiator.” The weight of Crowe’s performance would hang over Mescal regardless of his character, but making him Maximus’ son only highlights Mescal’s inability to match the power of Crowe. It would have done the film and Mescal better not to have Lucius connect to the original movie at all.

The legacy sequel has become a popular trend in Hollywood over the past few years. Studios have been capturing audiences with nostalgia and reminders of a previously successful story. It appears the legacy of “Gladiator” was too big to follow, and Scott couldn’t do any better than repeating the same themes as his previous, more exciting movie.

“Gladiator II” is undoubtedly entertaining, but I don’t think its impact will echo in eternity like its predecessor.

Published on December 2, 2024 at 11:37 pm