Stars: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Derek Jacobi, Fred Hechinger, Rory McCann, Matt Lucas | Written by David Scarpa | Directed by Ridley Scott
Gladiator II, the long-awaited sequel (that literally nobody was asking for) to Ridley Scott’s 2000 masterpiece, arrives burdened with high expectations and lofty aspirations. Unfortunately, while it recreates most of the original movie beat for beat and delivers some moments of grandeur, the film largely falls short of recapturing the spirit of the original, leaving this humble reviewer wondering if some classics are best left untouched especially if it wasn’t broken in the first place.
Gladiator was one of the first DVDs I ever owned and I still remember the way Ridley, Crowe and Phoenix made me feel while watching it. Gladiator II made me wish we could see that long-banded-about Tom Waits version. Going a different road for this review, I am picking out some of the Good and Bad stuff before wrapping this out. Starting with the positive:
The Positive:
Impressive Visuals: As expected the cinematography is undoubtedly once again a highlight, with sweeping shots of ancient Rome and gritty battlefield sequences. Scott’s eye for visual storytelling absolutely remains intact, creating a visually immersive experience and spectacle. Yes, at times it can feel a tad hollow and an obvious re-tread of its predecessor but it’s hard to deny that it feels epic in style and tone. In an era of flat Green Screen guff.
Paul Mescal’s Performance: Mescal’s portrayal of Lucius (the now-grown nephew of Commodus and plot twist, son of Maximus) adds emotional weight to the story. He brings subtlety to the role, effectively balancing vulnerability and resolve. While he is no Russell Crowe it is obvious he has done the homework and brings one of the few performances to the piece that doesn’t feel like an amped-up caricature.
Epic Battle Scenes: The action sequences, while fewer than expected, are well-choreographed and provide fleeting reminders of the visceral intensity that made Gladiator iconic. A lot of work has gone into making these scenes pop on screen. Thank god too because without them you could all but write out Pedro Pascal’s character.
The Bad Points:
A Disjointed Plot: The narrative struggles to find its footing, meandering through subplots that lack cohesion or urgency. Mostly because we spend a chunk of the movie trying to hamfistedly retcon the fact that Lucius was actually Russel Crowe’s son all along. This in itself undermines his actions in the first movie but I digress. While I enjoy the politics of Rome it’s laughable how much Ridley Scott wants it to be an A-plot and then all but forgets about it till half an hour from the end. There is a supernatural element introduced which feels a little out of place and detracts from the grounded tone of the original.
Unmemorable Villain: Unlike Commodus, who was a compelling mix of cruelty and insecurity, the Baddies in Gladiator II feel generic and uninspired, failing to leave a lasting impression. Starting with the twin Emperors, I fear that because of his star turn in stranger things, we are now stuck with Joseph Quinn being in just about everything. He is way out of his depth here and brings nothing of any note to proceedings. Fred Hechinger was great in Fear Street but not as the other twin here. Denzel is giving us pretty much all he has but it’s dialled up to eleven and becomes more satirical as the movie progresses and when you get to the inevitable heel turn, you don’t really care by then.
Wasted Potential of Returning Characters: Despite teasing connections to the first film, Gladiator II fails to meaningfully explore the legacy of Maximus. Russell Crowe’s shadow looms large over the movie and while I didn’t need to see him in the movie it felt like we were leaning on his legacy a tad much. This is supposed to be the rise of Lucius as a Gladiator but feels more like a tribute act.
Pacing Issues: Clocking in at over two and a half hours, the film drags, especially in its middle act, where the lack of engaging stakes And convenient plot contrivances become painfully apparent, the endpoint may be compelling at times but how we got there is ridiculous.
The Overall Experience
While Gladiator II had the potential to expand on the rich world of the original, it feels like an unnecessary sequel/remake that overreaches. The emotional resonance and thematic depth that defined Gladiator are completely missing, replaced by a glorified attempt to recreate its epic scale, something it does well but not nearly well enough to make me forget that this is nothing more than a nostalgic cash grab of a sequel nobody but Ridley Scott wanted.
This is not to say the film is completely without merit—there are moments where the craftsmanship shines through—but they’re too infrequent to save the movie from mediocrity. Ultimately, Gladiator II serves as a cautionary tale about revisiting beloved classics. For all its ambition, it fails to justify its existence, leaving fans longing for the perfection of the original.
** 2/5
Gladiator II is out now on digital platforms.
