by Rosa Parra
“Gladiator 2” releases 24 years after its predecessor and this much-anticipated sequel wasn’t necessarily too highly thought of, considering Ridley Scott’s track record. I remember seeing footage of this film back at Cinemacon in April and having a delightful time with it. The action sequences looked great, and it very much felt like a return to this world. I’m happy to report that my initial reaction to the footage aligned with what I experienced while watching this film.
Scott returns to direct “Gladiator 2,” which stars Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger. In the film, Lucius (Mescal) is out for revenge after he loses a loved one.
I can’t even begin to imagine the immense pressure Mescal underwent knowing he had great shoes to fill after Russell Crowe’s unforgettable performance. But needless to say, Mescal does an excellent job as Lucius. He brings an earthy, rough masculine aspect to the character while allowing shades of vulnerability to surface. At times, Mescal does resemble a younger version of Crowe but also manages to cement Lucius as his own person, showing growth and evolution in the character. Pascal is excellent in this movie. It’s evident that his days in “Game of Thrones” came in handy.
Quinn was also memorable in his role, but there is no question that the MVP of this movie is none other than Washington as Macrinus, the man in charge of selecting gladiators for battle. Macrinus is a multi-layered character that can only be brought to the screen by a talented actor such as Washington. The rollercoaster Macrinus goes through is meticulously played by perfectly depicting a mischievous man while staying away from being overbearing or a caricature.
The production design is top notch while the costumes also bring this era to life. The story is a simple one. In fact, it does have similar shades (tonally) to the first movie. The action sequences are fantastic. The film opens similarly to the first one with a big battle. All the battles in this movie are well-choreographed and unique enough to be memorable on its own, but the opening sequence was a nice touch of nostalgia since it’s a call back to the first film’s third act and a reminder of the original’s legacy. Remember that the callbacks to the first movie are all over this movie, so have fun!
“Gladiator 2” is not just a great sequel; it’s a beacon of hope for the future of Scott’s directorial career. With a strong performance from Mescal and a story that keeps you on the edge of your seat, this action-packed period epic sends a clear message: sequels can be just as good as the original.
8/10.