Film review: ‘GLADIATOR 2’ by Nick Gardener from ‘Built For Speed’
By the end of the 20th century, the ‘gladiator movie’ had fallen out of favour having become something of a punchline after the genre was mocked in Flying High. That abruptly changed in 2000, however, when Russell Crowe as the noble General Maximus pontificated his way to superstardom in Ridley Scott’s epic Gladiator. The success of that sword clanging extravaganza would no doubt have been a huge inducement for the action fantasies and historical epics that followed.
Now, almost a quarter of a century later, comes Gladiator 2 again directed by Ridley Scott. Given the first film pretty much exhausted the potential of the ‘gladiator movie’ concept and ended decisively, we had to ask if a sequel was necessary. On the basis of this emotionally hollow effort the answer is no!
Russell Crowe has departed the Coliseum and in his place is Hansel-approved ‘so hot right now’ Irish star Paul Mescal who plays Hanno, a warrior in the North African kingdom of Numidia. It’s made clear early in the film that Hanno is in fact Lucius, the long lost son of our old buddy Maximus and mother Lucilla (Connie Nielsen, one of only two cast members alongside the underused Derek Jacobi, to reprise their role from the first film). When the Romans lay siege to his city – in probably the film’s best sequence – Hanno is captured, enslaved and shipped to Rome. After a minor league fight against some outrageously fake cgi baboons, he’s recruited by gladiator owner and sneaky political operative Macrinus (Denzel Washington). Rising through the gladiator ranks, Hanno becomes a hero of the Roman people all the while vowing revenge on Roman General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) who led the Roman siege. His true enemies, though, are the corrupt and crazed Emperor brothers Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracella (Fred Hechinger).
If you’re sniffing a similarity to the first film you’re not mistaken as this movie essentially plonks some new characters into the original film’s template. Consequently, there’s almost no mystery or surprises in this story.
Gladiator 2 has many of the much-loved Ridley Scott trademarks, however, including intricate costuming and production and elaborate battle sequences. Unfortunately, Scott’s computer appears to have taken over at some point as the lifeless script feels like it was written by an AI and while there are some impressive practical effects and some genuinely epic visuals, it’s drenched in cgi. Added to that, the film has been shot on flat looking digital video which lacks the depth and texture of the classic 50s and 60s Roman epics that defined the genre.
Also, Mescal, who impressed in films like All of Us Strangers, is miscast here. He looks like a shirtless AFL player making pompous pronouncements about fighting for eternal glory. He’s certainly done the physical preparation and is convincing in the combat scenes but (in part due to the emotionally empty dialogue he has to recite) has very little charisma and we’re not drawn into his story at all. Denzel Washington is much more entertaining and seems to be having a ball hamming it up as the slippery Macrinus. As the depraved emperor brothers, Geta and Caracalla, Quinn and Hechinger try to recapture the sleazy nastiness of Joaquin Phoenix’ Commodus but look like members of an emo rock band at a toga party.
The first film benefited greatly from the noble presence of Richard Harris as emperor and stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. There’s no one to quite match him here although Pedro Pascal has some of that gravitas in a typically impressive performance as the thoughtful and conflicted General Acacius who despairs at Rome’s descent into depravity under the evil brothers.
For those who loved the first film or who crave another expensive looking sword slasher, Gladiator 2 will make satisfying viewing but those hoping for some evolution and inventiveness in the story will be disappointed. Slot this next to Beetlejuice Beetlejuice as another underwhelming sequel to a Gen X favourite.
Nick’s rating: **1/2
Genre: Drama/ Action/ Historical.
Classification: M.
Director(s): Ridley Scott.
Release date: 14th Nov 2024.
Running time: 146 mins.
Reviewer: Nick Gardener can be heard on “Built For Speed” every Friday night from 8-10pm on 88.3 Southern FM.