#REVIEW: “GLADIATOR II”

Review by Justin Waldman for Mr. Will Wong

How amazing is it that well into his 80s, Sir Ridley Scott still is delivering some of his best work? Gladiator II proves well worth the 26-year wait for a sequel.  The CGI may be a little messy and over the top, but the performances, acting, Script and direction all come together masterfully, to create an entertaining bounty of excellence.

The Film now focuses on Lucius (Paul Mescal) some twenty years after the first Gladiator film, as Rome has fallen back into chaos as he tries to restore Rome to its former glory and return Rome back to its people. After falling victim to an attack led by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal), Lucius ends up a slave who becomes a Gladiator who becomes owned by Macrinus (Denzel Washington) and fights and claws his way to get what he desires, Marcus’ head at any and all cost. Rome is now ran by twin emperors, Emperor Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Emperor Caracalla (Fred Herchinger) who are determined to keep it as the dynasty they’ve created. Without divulging too much, everyone wants to see Rome return to its former glory or their vision of it, but not everyone’s intentions are as they seem nor are they who they appear to be.

David Scarpa pens the Script and marks the third script he’s done with Sir Ridley Scott (Napoleon and All the Money in the World) and he delivers perhaps his most densely-packed, engrossing work yet. While it feels messy at times, it does work considering overthrowing a dictatorship of Rome back in the time period was anything but clean. His Script allows the entire Cast to shine bright and deliver some truly exceptional performances. Denzel Washington delivers and then some, capturing lightning in a bottle with every single scene he is in, truly a generational performance that shines bright. On the other hand, we have Stranger Things and A Quiet Place franchise breakout star Joseph Quinn who is unrecognizable in his role of Emperor Geta. He is only recognizable in a few frames but delivers an unhinged performance that is only counter-balanced by the work of Pascal and Mescal. Both of whom who ground the Film,  driven by desire and greed, yet wanting a better life for themselves and to reclaim the land they want to return to the people.

Gladiator II isn’t benefitted by its CGI, however the performances, Script, and direction from Sir Ridley Scott keep the audience completely and utterly engaged throughout. A legacy sequel this many years later is certainly a risky play, and might not always work.  But this keeps many elements fans will love of the predecessor film. While a bit uneven, Mescal and Washington are undeniable.

Paramount Pictures Canada release GLADIATOR II in theaters on Friday, November 22, 2024.