Film Review: ‘Gladiator II’, Engaged in Combat With History and Entertainment
Review by Bárbara Martínez Campuzano
Yes, we are entertained.
Different, and at the same time similar, to the original movie released in 2000, Gladiator II is all about warfare, action, power and a touch of history. Even though sequels and reboots can be a sensitive subject in Hollywood, this film does entertain for two hours and a half. Despite the movie having faced criticism for historical inaccuracy, viewers can watch a bit of what the Roman Empire’s Colosseum was built for: brutal entertainment and bloodthirsty fights.
Yes, this is something we’ve seen before. As a sequel, Gladiator II has taken the responsibility to bring back to life not the protagonist of the first Gladiator movie, but its themes: honor, courage, power, and revenge. The tale of a man who has lost everything, turned into something else below others, and yet seeking revenge and justice not only for himself but for his family and the people of his home makes the movie somewhat repetitive, and yet it manages to catch the eye.
With a cast full of great performances, such as those of Paul Mescal, who plays the protagonist, Lucius; Denzel Washington as the ambitious dealer and gladiator owner, Macrinus; Connie Nielsen’s character based on the daughter of Marcus Aurelius; and Pedro Pascal as a Roman general, the film is enriched and even responsible for online and media discussions on which of the actors (mainly Mescal, Pascal, and Washington) made it so worth it of being watched. What has turned into more of a fact is the rise of Paul Mescal’s popularity following the release of this film.
The director, Ridley Scott, has mentioned in the past that he doesn’t mind historical inaccuracy in his films; regardless, he’s made remarkable films such as The Martian, Black Hawk Down and Blade Runner. Gladiator II is just another example of how, even with criticism directed at the portrayal of real-life events or eras, there is still a rare, interesting combination of what are facts and what is fiction. Historians have pointed out that not all gladiators were slaves (as was the case of this film’s protagonist), the Colosseum didn’t go by that name back then, and the deaths of rulers like Caracalla and Geta in the movie are different from the true story. No matter how many things can be listed as inaccurate, the film receives its approval by taking bits of the history of the Roman Empire to make a story that is slightly an extension of its original film.
Despite blood spilled and savage fights that include rhinos and sharks that might make viewers want to turn away, action sequences and the choreographed fights the gladiators face are a spectacle, astonishing owing to the performances of the actors (Paul Mescal and Pedro Pascal especially) and visual effects. One scene in which the Colosseum is filled with water and gladiators in navy ships must fight each other turns out particularly impressive: the set wasn’t flooded, instead being a challenge for the visual effects team that did a spectacular job with making it look as real as possible. Besides VFX, the construction of a Colosseum, full-scale Roman buildings, and streets as sets also add to an astounding elaboration of a majestic Roman Empire for the story.
The film’s score is another element that consolidates this story. Harry Gregson-Williams is one of the most renowned Hollywood composers, having made music for battle-filled action movies, like the Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The score, also containing some elements of the first film, increases the sense of power, war, and emotions visually perceived in the film. The music that brings more intensity into the gladiator’s path certainly does not disappoint those who enjoy or are familiar with Gregson-Williams’ work.
All in all, Gladiator II has been successful at entertaining, and even in showing pieces of the historical Roman Empire through themes of power, courage, and honor that pay tribute to its original film. Nearing the film awards season, predictions in several media outlets include Gladiator II as a possible Best Picture nominee, or Ridley Scott as Best Director nominee. After all, the film might be receiving its thumbs-up.