Movie Review: Gladiator II

By John Corrado

Ridley Scott’s Gladiator, the filmmaker’s Oscar-winning modern classic from 2000, is remembered for many things, including star Russell Crowe throwing his arms open in the arena and asking the immortal question, “are you not entertained?”

It’s a moment that has become somewhat of a meme, but it’s impossible not to think about it throughout Gladiator II, Scott’s legacy sequel that arrives over two decades later with a new star in the lead. If this long-in-development follow-up is bigger but not necessarily better, it is entertaining.

The story this time around is focused on Lucius Verus, the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), who we first met as a young boy in the first film. Although Spencer Treat Clark, who played the character as a child in the first film, is still a working actor, Irish actor Paul Mescal takes over the role in this sequel.

As the story goes, Lucius watched Crowe’s Maximus die at the hands of his uncle, and has gone into hiding in the nearly two decades since the first film. When his wife is killed in a siege led by Rome’s General Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Mescal’s Lucious vows his revenge. Lucious is trained by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave who wants to overthrow the Roman Empire that is now ruled by twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), to become a Gladiator.

The screenplay by David Scarpa, who also wrote Napoleon for Scott, at times mirrors the original, as Lucious follows a similar arc of going from slave to warrior. Mescal proves his chops as an action star in the role, while also being well-suited to the more understated emotional moments. But it’s Washington who steals the show here, delivering a Shakespearian portrayal of the queer-coded Macrinus that is compelling to watch, with the actor’s screen presence and line deliveries being almost unparalleled.

On every technical level, this is a solidly crafted legacy sequel from Scott. The most impressive aspect of Gladiator II is the sheer scope of it, from the production design that essentially rebuilds Ancient Rome, to the costumes designed by Janty Yates and cinematography by John Mathieson, both returning from the first film. The reported $250-$300 million budget is on the screen. This is a massive swords-and-sandals epic that even floods the Colosseum with water and adds sharks into the mix. Scott does a fine job of directing the film’s visceral action sequences, as Lucius fights vicious monkeys and rhinos.

It’s a bigger film in a lot of ways, but again, not necessarily better. It doesn’t leave the same emotional impact as the original Gladiator, and also drags a bit in places in the way that the first didn’t, despite them both clocking in at around two-and-a-half-hours. There are some pacing issues, and character motivations that seem to shift suddenly. Scott has said that this is the final cut, but like his other recent films, it does feel like there could be a longer version that smooths over a few of the story issues, with it being trimmed down to clock in under three hours.

It’s a slightly lesser film than its Best Picture-winning predecessor, which pound for pound delivered more iconic moments. But Gladiator II is all about the entertainment value, harkening back to a time of blockbusters doubling as massive spectacles, and it delivers enough rousing moments of its own thanks to the performances and high-value production. So, yes, we are entertained.

Film Rating: ★★★ (out of 4)