An intensely bloody, gory and grippingly immense spectacle unlike many. Gladiator II is a sequel that unlike most sequels. Actually not only lives up to the hype of being just as great as the original Oscar-winning Ridley Scott-directed film, but stands out as a great film on its own as well. Thanks in large part to both Scott’s uniquely intriguing captured frames of this Roman soap opera. Whether it be in the Colosseum where the actual gladiators fought or the kingdom where characters like Caracallaand Geta’s reigns as emperors are hilarious shown and sobrilliantly played by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn. To the big fight scene between Rome and Numidia to open the movie. The big costumes, set designs, fight for power, intrigue and vengeance make this one of the biggest cinematic events of the year that you definitely have to see in theaters in IMAX or one of the biggest screens possible.
Gladiator II is a film that while it is centered on partially carrying the legacy of its Oscar-winning predecessor. Whether it be returning Connie Nielsen as Lucilla or having flashback scenes of Russell Crowe as Maximus to showing flashback scenes of main protagonist, Lucius with Maximus as a child. It does not fully tread or relay on that to make the film great. Even with Paul Mescal in a very standout performance as Lucius, who we towards the midway point of the film find out is the same Lucius that was sent off by his mother Lucilla in secret to Africato avoid being sought after for revenge as heir apparent to the throne. The parallels between Lucius and Maximus are present throughout much of the film as well too though. Whether it be losing someone close to them. Like how he loses his wife Arishat in a battle at sea to Rome at the hands of General Marcus Acacius who is played brilliantly by Pedro Pascal. That makes him want to seek revenge at any and all costs against Marcus. To him being enslaved and eventually becoming a gladiator fighting for that revenge rather than his freedom and perhaps eventually something bigger than revenge or freedom. Attesting all that Rome has currently become and saying, “This city is diseased.” Perhaps Lucius can eventually later try to fight to restore the once glory strength and honor to Rome that Maximus envisioned before his death nearly two decades ago.
The once, “Dream of Rome” is currently in shambles though because of the soullessly corrupt and prudent rule of the previously mentioned brother co-emperors, Geta and Caracalla. Who send out General Marcus Acacius without regard to fight their fights just to be at war and killing other empires at will. Not to mention their idiotic and sadistic rule shows how easily manipulated they can be that later comes back to haunt them and end their reign sooner than one could see. Which is why we also eventually find out that Marcus, who is married to Lucilla and is planning a secret revolution to return Rome back to its once glory is not the bad guy we initially thought he was.
The real bad guy and villain is the charismatically and mischievously cunning slave trader and weapons dealer, Macrinus. Whom Lucius first teams up with when he thinks that General Acacius is the enemy because of him taking down his wife in the very impressively big opening battle scene at sea. The first of many impressively epic and greatly choreographed fight scenes throughout the movie. Whether by sea, Colosseum or land.
Multi Oscar-winning actor, Denzel Washington, by far with the most standout performance of the whole film though. With his Machiavelian like performance as Macrinus, who slyly manuevers his way from once former slave to a power himself of Rome. Worthy of his third Oscar and by far one of the most standout performances of his career. Denzel in his colorful garb, sporting twin gold earrings, flashing rings on every finger, making grand proclamations and exerting his influence everywhere really immersing himself so slyly and powerfully in this role. His campy two-faced façade that switches between devious scowls and devilish grins with ease depending on who’s watching to go along with his Shakespearean poetics. That the latter is only topped by Paul Mescal with his character as Lucius. Really letting people know that Washington had the time of his life in this role too.
The way that not only Washington, but the rest of the cast really pour themselves into their roles throughout the film and how seriously they take themselves. Even in the few laughable scenes, shows the commitment they made to the fans and audience to deliver such a truly entertaining and fun epic cinematic event of a film that fans knew and old. Really everyone will enjoy. Which I will also once again emphasize that you definitely have to see in theaters in IMAX or one of the biggest screens possible to get the full on spectacular epic monumental experience of the film too. The latter to ending part of Gladiator II, which I wouldn’t fully spoil is somewhat emotional as well and one of the few truly emotional and touching heartfelt moments of the film. That will tug at your heart strings if you have ever lost someone close to you like how Lucius did. Which it did for me with the screening being just a couple of the days after my Dad’s birthday, who unfortunately passed a little over four and a half years ago.