Recently, Sir Ridley Scott was capable of the best (The Last Duel2021) as well as the good month (Napoleon2023) and the worst (House Of Gucci, 2021). The long-awaited Gladiator II clearly falls into the first category.
This second installment follows on from the first and takes place twenty years later. Although reference is made to it, it is not necessary to have seen Gladiatorreleased in 2000, to enjoy the second opus. Gone are Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe. Pedro PascalPaul Mescal and Denzel Washington reunite for a luxurious peplum.
What it’s about
Rome is under the reign of the emperors Caracalla and Geta. The son of Maximus, who died in the first installment, and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Lucius finds himself in the arena. He wants to avenge the death of his wife, for which he blames General Acacius. Lucius and Lucilla clash, while the wealthy Macrinus arranges his affairs behind the scenes.
A four-star cast
Sir Ridley doesn’t limit himself to gentlemen in skirts ready to do battle in the arena. He’s assembled a cast of charismatic performers, who he showcases to their best advantage by delving into the intimacy of their characters. The relationships between the protagonists develop in a fascinating way. Denzel Washington is particularly remarkable. It’s hard to imagine him not being nominated for an Oscar.
A fascinating script
The quality of the writing is remarkable. Scriptwriter David Scarpa has succeeded in making the many family and political rivalries fluid. It had to be done, because ancient Rome is a real basket of crabs. He enthralls us with the quest for power, fascinates us with well-crafted characters and offers us solid suspense that makes the confrontations all the more breathtaking.
Kings of the arena
When you say “Gladiator”, you think “gentlemen beating the crap out of each other”. Ridley Scott knows a thing or two about action, and when he puts his mind to it, he remains one of the best in the business. If the historians cry scandal They’re probably right, but never mind. The entertainment is total and so is the pleasure. In Gladiator II the pleasure and the change of scenery of the great Peplum classics such as Quo Vadis by Mervyn LeRoy, Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick or Ben-Hur by William Wyler. The filmmaker’s preoccupation with grand spectacle seems far more important than historical accuracy.
Funny ideas
We thought we knew everything there was to know about gladiatorial combat, but we’re pleasantly surprised by the many new ideas. We’d never have imagined the Colosseum transformed into a swimming pool where boats clash, or the intervention of rhinoceroses in the fights. These passages bring a welcome originality to the whole, challenging the clichés of a genre that might have been thought outmoded.
And soon, the sequel
At 86, Ridley Scott still proudly wears his filmmaking laurels without falling asleep on them. We don’t know if Gladiatior II will get a Cesar nomination, but that would be well-deserved (and fun). There’s already talk of a third installment coming soon. Popcorn and games: a timeless cocktail! Yes, we love gladiator movies when they’re of the quality of this one.