Nominated for twelve Academy Awards and in the end winning five including best picture, Ridley Scott’s epic drama, Gladiator, took the world by storm in 2000. Over two decades later, the film is viewed by most as the golden standard for Ancient Roman grandeur. Scott returns to helm his own Gladiator II with a renewed vigor to do right by the beloved original. This extremely belated sequel absolutely feels worth its weight in epic gold, delivering massive crowd-pleasing spectacle and an abundance of eye candy. Paul Mescal cements his leading man status with ease. Every character feels essential, including a villainous Denzel Washington and a literal returning queen in the form of the ageless Connie Nielsen. Strengthened by incredible performances and a tight script, Gladiator II embraces the over-the-top possibilities of its concept. Bow down to the twin emperors, and bask in the new golden age of Ridley Scott.
Lest one has completely forgotten the original Gladiator or just skipped it entirely, a stylish opening credits recaps Maximus’s time in the arena in an artistic manner emulating an oil painting. A text-fueled prelude then catches us up to speed on this time in Roman history. Twin rulers, Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn, A Quiet Place: Day One, Stranger Things) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Hechinger, Netflix’s Fear Street Trilogy, Pam & Tommy), have all but besmirched Rome’s good name—“the fall of the great city is imminent.” We briefly meet Lucius (Mescal, All of Us Strangers, Aftersun) and his wife, Hyacinthia (Riana Duce, Napoleon), before being thrown into the crippling horrors of war. Lucius coaches his men to defend North African kingdom Numidia against the Roman invaders, led by the ruthless Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal, Game of Thrones, The Last of Us). We are forced to watch as the veritable good guys are outnumbered and savagely attacked. Even at this point, Scott leans in hard to bombastic action, giving us a taste of the horrors of war.
To no one’s surprise, Lucius loses the love of his life during the siege in honor of Marcus claiming another locale for “the glory of Rome.” His home conquered and what remains of his force captured, Lucius catches the attention of famed “master of gladiators,” Macrinus (Denzel Washington, Remember the Titans, The Bone Collector), who has major plans for Lucius despite not knowing his true identity. As all the trailers and advertisements have already revealed, Lucius is actually the secret child of Maximus and Lucilla (Nielsen, Wonder Woman, The Devil’s Advocate)—the sole heir to the Roman throne. In a bit of dramatic irony, Lucius must walk in his father’s footsteps in the Roman coliseum in a multiple battles to the death. Mescal seems perfectly cast as the heroic lead. He easily channels the rage of his character’s fury, still managing a quiet confidence that transmogrifies him into a believable leader. It probably helps that Mescal spends 99% of the film completely shirtless, in peak physique. If there was any doubt about the Oscar-nominated indie darling’s ability to lead a major blockbuster, Gladiator II should prove the Irish actor up for the task.
The script from David Scarpa (Napoleon, All The Money in the World) manages to weave together a tapestry of fascinating characters and death-defying situations. By the time we finally arrive at the arena, we are so acquainted with these characters that we root for Lucius to dominate. Each battle in the coliseum feels entirely different than the last, providing varied, if sometimes illogical, scenarios for Scott’s sandbox of wizardry. The action-heavy trappings never feel forced but entirely organic, delivering countless ways to watch mayhem unfold before a starved audience. From rabid monkeys to ferocious rhinoceroses to starving sharks, the animals of the arena appear just as threatening as the flesh and blood humans. Behind the savagery are the dual rulers, who appear just as unhinged as one would expect. In garish makeup and dirty-blonde wigs, both Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger make the most of limited screentime. Despite being originally cast, picturing one of my favorite up-and-coming actors, Barry Keoghan, as a twin is difficult considering the strength of Quinn and Hechinger’s performances.
As Lucius begins to come out of his shell, still overcome with rage, he manages to impress the Emperors, whilst Macrinus vows to make some serious moves using his new “instrument.” Lucius builds up his confidence while impressing all of those around him. Washington plays a perfect villain, using his swagger and lust for power as a constant tool. Meanwhile, Marcus Acacius, exhausted with the emperors’ insatiable appetites for world domination, secretly plans a coup with his wife, Lucilla. Pascal gives his all to a rather hollow character, though Marcus does display deeper shades the more we get to know him. The scenes shared between Lucius and Lucilla are tinged with pain and sorrow, especially as Gladiator II begins making its way towards a harrowing climax.
Even as beheadings and explicit brutality take center stage, this sequel never forgoes quieter moments or larger themes. Compelling onscreen combinations allow for interesting interplay between characters. Lucius himself makes several compelling observations about the current state of Rome, including a viewpoint that Rome is an infection that destroys everything it touches. Eventually, he forms a rather surprising bond with a medicine man that tends to Lucius’ wounds in between arena rounds. Though obviously chaotic, the central conceit houses a more intimate and hopeful message than its predecessor. As the dream of a perfect Rome looms, containing the enthusiasm for this belated sequel reaches a fever pitch. Its gritty visual look, courtesy of returning cinematographer John Mathieson, maintains a consistency to perfectly bookend alongside the original Gladiator. Exploding with the vital vision of Ridley Scott and bringing back the same Oscar-winning costume designer, Gladiator II earns every propulsive exclamation mark.
Gladiator II takes the action into the arena for more gory mayhem, playing exclusively in theaters everywhere on Friday, November 22nd.
