'Gladiator II' review: Ridley Scott helms a somewhat entertaining sequel
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
It may not have the same intensity or grit as its predecessor, but “Gladiator II” certainly benefits from some truly outlandish performances. Take, for example, Denzel Washington’s portrayal of Macrinus, a character that bears a striking resemblance to the one the late Oliver Reed played in the original—but this time, he’s a bit more flamboyant. It’s rare to see an actor of Washington’s stature having this much fun at this stage in his career, but he’s clearly savoring every grimace, eyebrow raise, and line delivery as though his life depends on it. At one point, he even has a scene opposite a severed head—and somehow, it works. Fred Hechinger’s performance as a power-hungry, fear-mongering emperor is equally compelling. If you took these two performances and fused them with the dramatic flair of the first “Gladiator,” you’d probably have the makings of a perfect film.
Alas, two standout performances aren’t enough to elevate “Gladiator II” beyond a beat-for-beat rehash that, despite a few thrilling action sequences, feels somewhat stagnant. While the original “Gladiator” had a raw energy and the steady hand of a filmmaker who understood what it meant to entertain, the sequel often feels like an imitation that’s stuck in the past. It also lacks the benefit of a commanding lead performance. Despite his success in the indie scene and his natural progression into big-budget films, Paul Mescal simply can’t match the gravitas of Russell Crowe’s iconic Maximus. I never expected him to surpass Crowe, but I had hoped for a bit more spark.
Mescal, of course, takes over the role of Maximus' son, Lucius. Set 16 years after the events of the first film, Lucius lives off the African coast in Numidia, where he commands his own troops alongside his wife (Yuval Gonen) against a Roman fleet led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal). After the invasion decimates his city, Lucius is sold into slavery and forced to fight for his life under the control of wealthy bureaucrats with a penchant for violence (sound familiar?).
Upon arriving in Rome, Lucius’ fierce determination in a bloody brawl against a squad of baboons catches the eye of Macrinus, a shrewd arms dealer who can talk his way out of any situation. Sensing the rage inside Lucius, Macrinus wants to channel that energy to climb his way to the top of the Roman power structure. Meanwhile, Acacius returns from war to much fanfare, with co-emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn—having a standout post-“Stranger Things” career) and Caracalla (Hechinger) eager to host a series of games in his honor before sending him back out to conquer more lands.
This sets the stage for a tale of betrayal, revenge, and power plays in what could only be described as a Roman soap opera. Ridley Scott seems to embrace this over-the-top tone this time around, seemingly indifferent to logic or historical accuracy in a film where gladiators battle it out over shark-infested waters. There are a few epic battles and grisly killings that add to the bloodshed, but there’s an emotional void this time around. Unlike the first film, where we felt the weight of Marcus Aurelius’ death and Maximus’ thirst for revenge, this sequel lacks the same emotional conviction.
Still, it’s hard not to be captivated by the one-two punch of Washington and Hechinger. The latter, in particular, truly goes for broke, delivering a performance that sometimes even outshines the Oscar-winning Washington. If you’d told me that “Gladiator II” would be remembered more for Hechinger’s performance than Washington’s, I would have been skeptical, but ultimately, these two are the driving force that makes the film worth watching. Consider me somewhat entertained.
Grade: B-
GLADIATOR II opens in theaters Friday, November 22nd.