While I’m not an action movie fan, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed
Gladiator II
over Thanksgiving break. Cinematic shots of ancient Rome and action packed fighting scenes kept me transfixed for the whole two and a half hours. Although I have to attribute much of my enjoyment to the reclining seats in my local movie theater, overly buttered popcorn and Paul Mescal, I was totally taken by this film and recommend you head to the Marquee in New Hartford to experience this action-packed masterpiece yourself.
Ridley Scott, known for his famous work on
The Martian
and
House of Gucci
, was the mastermind behind this film. Widely acclaimed for his use of visual storytelling, Scott engineers an atmospheric effect that captures the attention of viewers.
Gladiator II
was par for the course for Ridley Scott, an addition to his portfolio of widely respected works. It was set in the brutal Roman Empire and effectively illustrated the stark contrast between the extravagant and overindulgent lives of the royals and the vast majority of Roman civilians who were destitute and lived in squalor conditions. During one scene, set at a grandiose party, two emperors demand that two gladiators take up arms and duel one another to the death. Disturbingly violent yet masterfully crafted, this scene was just one of many gore-filled scenes that you can’t help but hold in awe.
Gladiator II
traces the story of gladiator “Lucius Verus,” played by Paul Mescal, who seeks to reclaim Rome which has been taken over by corrupt Emperors. Mescal, who usually takes on a softer role with a quiet, even-handed, intellectual demeanor, retained this general persona as he took the role of an exceptionally noble and strong warrior. In his role, he was enslaved and forced to fight in an arena. The emotional battle scene between Pedro Pascal and Paul Mescal was the pinnacle of entire film. This scene, while gory and brutal, also conveyed the emotional complexities of the family dynamics in this film.
The CGI for this film was very impressive, along with the choreography of the fights. The opening battle scene depicts a lovely and peaceful scene with Lucius and his wife Arishat, played by Yuval Gonen, which is quickly interrupted by a Roman invasion of the ancient North African country Numidia. Other standout scenes include a battle in the Colosseum involving sharks. While a bit over the top, this scene was a fun switch-up from the slightly repetitive battle scenes throughout the film.
Casting directors found actors that were tailor made for their roles. Denzel Washington played a charming wealthy businessman in Rome named Macrinus. It was hard to form a set opinion on his character, given the complexity of his motives and his slyness. His charisma paired with his cruelty made for an intriguing character, and his relationship with Mescal reflected his complexities. The corrupt Roman Emperors were also well suited to their roles as childishly sadistic and underqualified leaders. They reminded me of Joffrey from Game of Thrones, and their portrayal was on point.
Gladiator II
received some harsh reviews from critics. A critic from
Forbes Magazine
harshly criticized the film as “A Dreadful Pointless Sequel That Never Should Have Seen The Light Of Day.” The critic was mostly focused on the striking parallel between this film and the first
Gladiator
movie. My main criticism was the abrupt ending to the film. The quick battle scene with history altering results did not have much of an emotional impact, which was disappointing since the rest of the film did an excellent job at keeping the viewer entrenched in the story. All in all, this was an amazing movie and amidst the stress of finals would be an excellent way to enjoy a break with your friends.
