Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Paul Mascal dazzle with standout performances, but Gladiator II fails to recapture the original's epic magic.
24 years later, Ridley Scott has returned to present the sequel to his legacy-defining epic blockbuster, Gladiator. For the ones like me who grew up watching (and quoting) Gladiator, this is kind of a big deal. Armed with a good script and a great cast, the only obstacle for Scott to achieve magnificence was Scott himself. Favouring subpar CGI over practical effects, with all the technical advancement of the last 24 years, the new movie doesn’t match the regality of the original.
Parts of the story are factual. But don’t watch Ridley Scott movies for a history lesson. Twin kings rule the Roman empire when General Acacius (Pedro Pascal, winning hearts in a minor role) is sent to conquer Numidia, Hanno (Paul Mescal) and his wife’s hometown. The smaller Numidian army is no match for the Roman one, but the battle costs Hanno more than he bargained for; his wife and his freedom. Hanno is enslaved and taken to be sold as a gladiator under do-or-die conditions where he impresses Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a stable master with big aspirations.
The Ghost of Gladiator Past looms large over the movie. Paul Mescal has to go beyond the charm required to lead a major Hollywood production. He has to live up to Russell Crowe’s performance from the first one, a tall order. While he doesn’t measure up to it, Mescal does have his moments. Most of those moments come during fight scenes, which look hard and brutal. But there is a particular moment near the end that sneaks up on us when he opens up to his confidante and doctor, Ravi (Alexander Karim, a great find!) and it’s great!
At its essence, Gladiator II is a tale of two men and their thirst for revenge. They both keep their cards close to their chest. The slow reveal of the true nature of Hanno and Macrinus’ characters speaks for the quality of the script. Washington plays Macrinus with slyness and rage bubbling under the surface. He is simply glorious to watch. One close-up of his face is better than a hundred computer-generated monkeys. And there are many such close-ups where he quietly observes the other characters, calculating his moves, toying with the people around him like he holds all the aces. Macrinus isn’t as evil as Alonzo from Training Day but he’s just as dangerous. Macrinus is another feather in Mr. Washington’s cap.
The costumes stand out the most in the entire production, a draped statement to the decadence of the powerful and rich of the time. Some of the set pieces are grand too. But the obvious and unnatural CGI work the movie opens with is too jarring to dismiss. The aforementioned CGI monkeys and other animals are a disappointment when compared to the tigers that graced the Colosseum in the 2001 film.
On balance, Gladiator II is entertaining, engaging and fun for the entire family over the age of 18. It also comes with a political message, singing praises of the American Dream. But it fails to reach the celebrated stature of the original. In other words, while it’s not a bum, it’s not a contender either.
Macrinus – ‘My..champion. Did you hear that crowd? Did you hear that crowd?’
Hanno – ‘Mm-hm.’
Macrinus – ‘You have something. I knew it from the start.’
Hanno – ‘Did you now?’
Macrinus – ‘Yes. The Greeks call it..thymos. Smoke. Rage. That rage is your gift. Like the great Achilles. Never let it go. It will carry you to greatness, my champion.’