It may have taken 24 years, but Ridley Scott’s long-awaited sequel to the generation-defining Gladiator has arrived. In a time where cinematic experiences are fewer and farther between, it is a treat to sit in a cinema and give a worthy film its undivided attention for two and a half hours. And Gladiator II is most certainly a worthy film.
The scale and spectacle of this film is immense, and arguably one of its most alluring features. Numerous epic battle scenes set in the Colosseum prove entertaining for the popcorn blockbuster enthusiasts worldwide. The cast of characters (some of whom are familiar to avid Gladiator fans) provide a range of perspectives and a more complex story than the original’s tale of revenge.
It is natural to compare this instalment with its Oscar-winning predecessor. Russel Crowe and Joaquin Phoenix leave enormous shoes for both Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal to fill. To their credit they do a great job and command the attention, as their tension throughout the film and chemistry accumulates to a rousing finale (or thereabouts). Despite their top billing, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the key star of this movie is Denzel Washington. A seasoned actor, Oscar-winner and veteran performer, he is the ideal candidate to spearhead this film and he truly is its beating heart.
Amidst the movie’s successes, there are some choices that are made which will polarise viewers. One battle in particular involves a ship battle, with the Colosseum being filled with water. This itself is arguably historically accurate, but what does suspend belief is the CGI sharks that infest the man-made sea. Similarly, a battle with a series of primates are so heavily animated it is a scene more akin to Stranger Things than it is to the period-saga audiences have come to expect from Ridley Scott.
With the newly released Napoleon, and now this epic sequel, it could be argued that a return to blockbuster, genre defining blockbusters are returning to the silver screen, something that should delight fans of cinema. In an age where viewers are increasingly waiting for a film to be available on a streaming service, Gladiator II makes a solid case for putting on a nicer pair of pants and heading outside the home to experience a movie as intended – Gladiator II is well worth this effort.
Gladiator II is an immensely enjoyable and captivating story, with enough ties and tributes back to the original which will delight those who remain familiar with its material.