After his home is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now lead Rome, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum and must look to his past to find strength to return the glory of Rome to its people.
The night I first saw Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” is still seared into my memory. Russell Crowe’s star was rising thanks to standout roles in “Romper Stomper,” “The Quick and the Dead, “Virtuosity,” and “L.A. Confidential.” Yet nothing primed me for the film’s impact—it instantly secured a spot in my all-time top five.
“Gladiator” was a masterclass: heart-wrenching drama, electrifying action, revenge that twisted the gut…and visceral violence aplenty. Russell Crowe became Maximus, a man broken by loss and consumed by a thirst for revenge against the depraved Emperor Commodus, chillingly portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix.
News of “Gladiator II,” set two decades after the first film’s events, filled me with excitement and trepidation. Could it stand alongside its iconic predecessor? Thankfully, it does. This installment follows Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and Maximus (Russell Crowe), who’s forced into slavery and a desperate fight for survival in the arena.
As Lucius navigates a treacherous landscape, driven by a burning desire for revenge against his wife’s killer, he faces a shocking betrayal: his mother, who he believes abandoned him as a child, is now married to his archenemy. This tangled web of loyalty, betrayal, and vengeance is brought to life by powerhouse performances from Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen.
Mescal perfectly captures Lucius’s bravado and vulnerability, evoking the spirit of Crowe’s Maximus while carving his own path. Washington is electrifying as always, keeping us guessing about his character’s true loyalties until the final act. Nielsen shines with the same intensity that made her character unforgettable in the original.
The young emperors, Caracalla and Geta, played by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn, are so depraved they instantly evoke comparisons to Phoenix’s Commodus. The film’s visuals are breathtaking, combining seamless CGI and practical effects to create heart-pounding scenes, like a battle amidst sharks in the flooded Colosseum.
While “Gladiator II” might not surpass the original, it’s a satisfying, worthy sequel that provides closure while setting the stage for the next installment. Ridley Scott is already at work on “Gladiator III,” and this time, I’m eager to know as little as possible to let the film fully immerse me. Even with Maximus’s shadow hanging over “Gladiator II,” I was wholly invested in Lucius’ story, and I eagerly await the next chapter. On to Part III!
Now available on Digital and on 4K Ultra HD™, Blu-ray™, and DVD March 4th
I really enjoyed Gladiator 2. Well made and wonderful cast.