The son of the late Maximus is sold to slavery to become a trained combatant via the Colosseum. That's the continual nub of 2024's Gladiator II.
Anyway, most sequels are inferior to the original. It's almost an enigma as to why. Aliens and Godfather Part II and Wrath of Khan may be the exceptions but there it is, a lesser product that makes less money and gets the usual ribbing by those nitpicky critics. "You will be my instrument". Uh, not so fast there big guy.
So OK, Gladiator II just happens to be the follow-up to 2000's Gladiator (naturally). "II" may be shorter (by 7 minutes) but it's bigger, and bloodier, and well, more lurid. A fight to the death against some nasty baboons, a fight to the death against some pesky sharks, a fight to the death "Mandingo" style, Denzel Washington doing an imitation-like performance of a Roman emperor with a penchant for big-arse earrings. Yeah Gladiator II is like Gladiator on steroids but that doesn't make it the superior result. "Are you not entertained?" I mean yeah but it's not what you're thinking.
Starring Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, and Washington (see last paragraph), "II" is better than most second runs because it stays faithful to the original while moving the story along as if it were the utmost form of a companion piece. Minus almost aping Gladiator's first hour in terms of plot threads and affray themes, "II" is worth at least one watch for those who consider "fear and wonder a powerful combination" (natch).
I mean the look is the same (cloudy and blazing, sun-scorched hues), Ridley Scott's direction is still the mammoth of all canvases, and the editing is about as crisp as new $1 dollar bills. What's missing from "II" that the first Gladiator had is the stirring score of Hans Zimmer (the late Hans Zimmer), any standout speck of emotional and/or dramatic heft, and of course, the molten screen presence of one Russell Crowe (he died the first time around so what are you gonna do). Still, as a holiday-released pic with modernized, historical avail and a proclivity for brutal inhumanity, Gladiator II "fights tooth and nail".
Written by Jesse Burleson
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