GLADIATOR II’s Soaring Spectacles Can’t Save This Silly Sequel From a Thumbs-Down

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As a die-hard fan of the original “Gladiator”, I was eagerly anticipating its sequel with bated breath. Having grown up watching Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius, I was ready to embrace a new era of Roman glory. Alas, what I encountered in “Gladiator II” left me feeling more like a barbarian at the gates of Rome than a triumphant general.

One memorable small scene that contributed significantly to the Best Picture win of a blockbuster like “Gladiator” is the interaction between Maximus and Quintus, which occurs soon after a tough battle. Maximus teases his comrade about being alive, and when Quintus affirms, Maximus laughs, remarking, “The gods must have a sense of humor.” This line resonates deeply, revealing much about the character of Maximus and how he’s perceived by others. However, during my viewing of “Gladiator II,” I found myself frequently reminiscing about that quote as the gods indeed seemed to possess a wry sense of humor in allowing such an outrageous sequel to materialize. Regardless of its impressive visual effects, Denzel Washington’s entertaining portrayal, and some enjoyable moments, this preposterous follow-up is marred by its disregard for internal consistency, poor editing, sluggish pacing, and underdeveloped characters. It would not have fared well under any Emperor’s scrutiny.

In simpler terms, “The initial hour of ‘Gladiator II’ offers an enjoyable experience if you can overlook the mood of the first movie. Compared to its predecessor, this sequel prioritizes entertainment over dramatic storytelling. The film starts with an impressive assault by Roman ships on a fortified city, followed by brutal gladiator battles involving former slaves. One notable fight even involves baboons, though it’s noteworthy that the CGI used in this scene is quite poor. Fortunately, this is the only instance of such quality issues in the film. Essentially, ‘Gladiator II’ attempts to recapture some of the charm from Ridley Scott’s original work, but its primary focus is on providing a fun viewing experience.

One method by which “Gladiator II” maintains its focus on providing an enjoyable journey back to Ancient Rome is by deliberately avoiding elaborating on why Maximus’ final command wasn’t carried out. This lack of explanation is so pronounced that it seems like a self-referential gag or an implied retcon. Sixteen years after a slave assassinated the Emperor, there’s no recollection or interest in the event. It appears that nothing altered following Maximus’ death, not even for a moment. In fact, conditions deteriorated further. (The movie unfortunately fails to provide a clear explanation for this decline in one of its numerous instances of poor world-building.) Those who are overly devoted to maintaining continuity may find this frustrating, but it’s acceptable because it serves the film’s purpose intentionally.

Subsequently, this sequel appears to have a peculiar fixation on revisiting the world of Gladiator, often seeming excessively reminiscent of its predecessor. Repeated references to Maximus, Marcus Aurelius, and the grandeur of Rome dominate the narrative. However, these recurrent allusions feel hollow because the film fails to delve into the reasons behind the downfall or provide adequate context for them. As a result, it seems that the movie is overly preoccupied with Maximus’ story, but in ways that undermine its impact rather than enhance it. A single flashback that significantly alters the ending of the original is so jarring that it leaves one questioning the filmmakers’ decision-making process. The film attempts to convey a dual message: that the first film is insignificant yet holds immense importance. Unfortunately, this approach results in an unimpressive and disappointing sequel. In short, the movie falls flat, and quite frankly, it’s terrible.

If the primary issue with “Gladiator II” was simply its lack of internal logic, it could still potentially offer an enjoyable cinematic experience. However, problems in the second half go beyond mere illogicality. Unfortunately, this film is poorly edited and visually inferior to its predecessor. Scenes are either too brief, overly complex, or poorly shot. Additionally, the movie suffers from terrible pacing – every significant moment falls flat due to a lack of build-up. Essentially, there’s an absence of climactic moments in this film, which is filled with too many anticlimaxes instead. Fundamental storytelling techniques are either missing or executed so poorly that they might as well not exist at all.

The story also has an overabundance of characters, most of whom lack depth. These characters often act and speak merely to serve the plot, rather than for reasons that make sense or provide insight into their personalities. In contrast, the character played by Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator II is more engaging and well-rounded than both of the evil Emperors combined.

In the movie, even the standout characters, General Acacius played by Pedro Pascal and Macrinus portrayed by Denzel Washington, seem to have been given twice as many scenes as necessary. It’s no wonder these talented actors deliver exceptional performances, particularly Washington who clearly enjoys every moment, but the script falls short in various aspects for both characters. General Acacius is scarcely utilized, while the elements that make Macrimus genuinely intriguing are withheld for too long. By the time we understand why he’s so fascinating and comprehend his crucial role, it’s already past the point of no return. At this stage, the film crumbles under its own absurdity.

Similarly to Connie Nielsen’s reprised role as Lucilla, there is ample screen presence; however, the script’s inherent weaknesses hinder her character development significantly. The reasons behind her actions from 16 years ago remain unexplored, and the significance of her current endeavors seems devoid of substance.

One way to rephrase this review is: The main problem lies not with Paul Mescal’s performance as the leading actor in this film, for he delivers a solid act. However, the role lacks depth that would allow him to truly shine. Given the challenging task of emulating a beloved character like Lucius, who is revealed to be Maximus’ secret son, and stepping into the shoes of one of Hollywood’s most iconic characters and performances, played by Russell Crowe, was always going to be an arduous endeavor. Unfortunately, the script for ‘Gladiator II’ made it nearly impossible for Mescal to come anywhere close.

While Gladiator II isn’t all bad, there are some truly grand spectacles that are even more impressive when viewed from a distance. However, these spectacular scenes often feel rushed and unsatisfying, like the epic naval battle in a flooded Colosseum – one of the film’s highlights but still leaving you yearning for more depth. Even Rome itself seems smaller this time, which is somewhat disappointing.

Despite being a big fan of the original “Gladiator”, I approached this sequel with an open mind, intending to appreciate its individual qualities. For a while, I managed to do so. However, the quality of “Gladiator II” started dwindling rather swiftly. If you find that amusing, I’m relieved. After all, even the gods shouldn’t be the only ones with a sense of humor when it comes to this preposterous sequel.

Gladiator II ⭐ (2 of 5)

In addition to Connie Nielsen, Derek Jacobi, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Matt Lucas, Peter Mensah, and Tim McInnerny, Gladiator II will make its grand debut in theaters on November 22, 2024.

Mikey Walsh serves as a staff writer at TopMob. He can be found on Bluesky under the handle @burgermike, and his opinions about the ranking of Targaryen kings are often sought out by many.

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2024-11-11 18:33