Say that Gladiator II is expected in cinemas is an understatement. In 2000, director Ridley Scott revisited the peplum genre with Gladiator. And what a revisit! Worn by Russell Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix, with an original soundtrack concocted by Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard, Gladiator has made more than one spectator shudder and cry over the last twenty-four years. It is indisputable: the feature film is a success. It grossed more than $460 million at the worldwide box office and was rewarded everywhere, including 5 Oscars and 2 Golden Globes.
Suggest a sequel to Gladiator after more than two decades was particularly risky. So obviously, there are two camps regarding Gladiator II : those who can’t wait to dive back into the atmosphere of the first opus, and those who are afraid of seeing a monument spoiled due to greed.
But it’s now too late to worry because that’s it, here we are! Gladiator II is released this Wednesday, November 13 in cinemas in France. So what is it? Here’s what we thought of Gladiator II. And I promise, this review is not rubbish.
Return to the Colosseum
It’s time to return to the Colosseum. Although Gladiator didn’t require a sequel, let’s be honest, Ridley Scott and Paramount saw things differently. Unfortunately, many successful films have lost in the game of sequels. Often useless, sometimes mediocre… The stakes are high if you don’t want to disappoint. The real fear of fans of Gladiator is to face a second part which only has its filiation.
Gladitor II takes place 16 years after the death of Marcus Aurelius, when the twin emperors Geta and Caracalla have long since stifled the old man’s dream. Far from Rome, Hanno sees his country attacked by the troops of General Acacius. After witnessing the death of his wife in the assault, he is a prisoner of war, forced to play out his life in the arena as a gladiator. But Hanno is not just anyone. Do you remember young Lucius in the first film?
To our greatest surprise, this new opus manages to hold up. Indeed, we are entitled to a scenario in which we believe. And it was far from won. But for this, some concessions had to be made. Screenwriter David Scarpa chose to put together some plot tricks that were far too easy to get off the ground Gladiator II. It’s hard to blame him (how could he have done otherwise?) but it’s certainly enough to leave some fans of the original film doubtful. But the bet paid off and we specifically appreciate the slightly more political side that makes the heart of this film beat.
So, Gladiator II benefits from a functional scenario, although a little limping, requiring at all costs the crutch of its predecessor to walk straight.
Always the chills
The strength of Gladiator IIit’s its director. Ridley Scott is back at the helm of this new film, more ambitious than ever. While the first film grabbed our guts and made us shiver, this sequel is particularly impressive. The filmmaker refuses nothingincluding a naval battle in the Colosseum which is simply sensational.
This new film is fortunate to be able to count on the technologies of 2024 to dazzle and amaze us. Ridley Scott always has excellent ideas and shows us, once again, that he is an exceptional director.
Nevertheless, if the thrills are still there, Gladiator II offers us much less emotion than its predecessor. Where tissues are necessary for any rewatching of Gladiatorits sequel is drier and less touching. No, this time the tears didn’t flow. Too bad, but far from being very serious.
The empire of Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington
In Gladiator IIPaul Mescal proves to us that he definitely has his place in Hollywood alongside the best. The actor who stood out in Normal People Then Aftersun perfectly embodies this vengeful gladiator with a troubled past. But unfortunately, his score is not up to his performance. What a shame that the character played by Paul Mescal is bland. We see that the actor is capable of dazzling us even more, if only we gave him more of the opportunity.
Finally, it is the great Denzel Washington who leaves his mark on our minds. Playing the role of an arms dealer who takes gladiators under his wing, the actor breaks the screen. Plotting against the emperors while displaying blood-curdling genius and cruelty, it is a joy to find Denzel Washington at his best.
What about Pedro Pascal, you may ask? Well, the actor is excellent, of course, but he deserved more spotlight. If the trailers suggested a Paul Mescal / Pedro Pascal duo, that is far from being the case. Too bad, we appreciate the little that Ridley Scott offers us in Gladiator II. Finally, Connie Nielsen is cut out for the role of Lucilla. Two decades after the first film, she is still up to the role assigned to her, more in the spotlight than ever.
Verdict: Gladiator II is not a waste of time
Far from perfect, Gladiator II However, there is nothing to be ashamed of. If he needs to rely on the first opus, his approach remains proud. Ridley Scott manages to amaze us (again) with an impressive and exciting feature film that suffers from no length. The actors of Gladiator II and mastered staging from start to finish are the ingredients of an averted disaster. We even want to talk about success. Come on, strength and honor!
