Another legacy sequel? You bet. In 2024, big-budget, blockbuster filmmaking can’t seem to escape the past. While plenty of innovative independent filmmakers still pen daring, original scripts and continue to contribute fresh ideas to the cinematic table, the most broadly consumed entries all too often rely on already explored stories. By taking a quick peek at the top 10 highest-grossing films of the year, you’ll gather a glaringly apparent lack of novelty.
“Gladiator II” represents this trend to a tee, dropping 24 years after its original installment. Strangely, a 2024 release date comes both too early and too late. Too much time has passed to achieve the typical sequel’s natural visual and narrative progression, yet seemingly not enough time for Scott to think of something new.
Despite its fair share of spectacular, expensive action sequences and fun performances, “Gladiator II” feels like a rehash of its predecessor, providing nothing revivifying enough to justify its existence.
The story picks up 16 years after the tragic conclusion of part one. The innocent, golden-haired Lucius has grown and evolved into a gruff, vengeful Paul Mescal, operating far away from his Roman origins. Conquered, captured and prepped to fight as a gladiator in the Colosseum, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and return Rome’s glory to its people.
Sound familiar? Let’s dig a little deeper. Our bereft hero and rightful heir to the throne gradually wins over the Roman populace through his death-defying gladiator prowess. A pair of tyrannical, psychotic twins ruthlessly dominate the empire. Meanwhile, Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla helps plan an insurrection, luring a distant army to reestablish her father’s dream of democracy. Though there are elements to “Gladiator II” that aren’t a one-to-one match, namely Denzel Washington’s character Macrinus, the film’s structure felt alarmingly similar to the 2000 classic.
Scott’s greatest problem lies in his setup, which renders the gratifying conclusion of “Gladiator” null — one that promises the sacrifice of Russell Crowe’s Maximus as a necessary price for the democratization of Rome. Cut to “Gladiator II,” and two new diabolical emperors have taken over, and Maximus’s successor, Lucius, has been cast away. The sequel’s familiar ending makes its existence pointless.
Mescal is a brilliant actor known for his sensitive and complex performances in various indie darlings. He does his best to replicate Crowe’s commanding, magnetic strength but isn’t quite as convincing. As the central emotional propeller of the film, his performance falls flat, but as a vessel to steer the action forward, he excels.
Washington delivers a lively performance as a smooth-talking manipulator who maneuvers and plays both sides through political dysfunction. He makes some fun choices with his voice and cadence, bridging modernity and historical accuracy to enliven the script.
Supporting standouts include Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger as Emperor’s Geta and Caracalla — both maniacal, boyish and pathetic. Their exaggerated, deplorable demeanors sometimes come off like amateurish caricatures, which is almost certainly what they were going for.
On a positive note, the Colosseum sequences utilize modern technology to craft massive action-set pieces without overindulging in CGI. Fantastic swordplay, animal encounters and epic brawls are strewn all over this thing. Brimming with stunning costuming, makeup and production design, “Gladiator II” is undoubtedly a big-budget movie; it wants you to know that.
Popcorn rating: 3/5
