Gladiator II

Gladiator II
Stars: Paul Mascal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hecringer, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington
Director: Ridley Scott
Scriptwriter: David Scarpa, Story by Peter Craig and David Scarpa and based on characters by David Franzoni
Composer: Harry Gregson-Williams
Cinematography: John Mathieson
Scott Free Productions/Paramount Pictures
Rating R
Running Length: 148 Minutes

Director Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator” of 2000, literally took everyone’s breath away with the keen acting of Russell Crowe as a Roman General who is reduced to being a slave in the gladiator ring, and Joaquin: Phoenix) as the new Emperor who is jealous of the General. Battle and fight scenes were very well done. Fast forward to now and a second Ridley Scott-directed gladiator film, carrying on the storyline of power and slavery. This storyline is set almost twenty years later, with new royal problems, caused by a black former slave (Denzel Washington as Macrinus), who has power and wants Rome for himself. Then, we have Paul Mescal as Lucius, who is the son of the deceased Maximus. Connie Nielsen is back as Lucilla, who is Lucius’ mother and now wife to Acacius (Pedro Pascal) a Roman general who doesn’t like war or the current regime. Let the games begin and the plot thicken.

So, with Rome now having two emperor’s, Geta and Caracalla (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger). Both men are unstable and love monkeys. Lucius lives with his family quietly, until the town is invaded and he is now in slavery and training to be a gladiator. His talent in the ring is spotted by the gladiator trainer, Macrinus, and from here on, there are various plots going on. Lucilla and her husband, Acacius, eventually find out who the new gladiator-hero is, but things are not as they seem. The two emperors are warring on each other, Lucilla has a plot, Lucius has a plot and so does Macrinus. Like a chess game, but who will be the winner in the grand finale?

All the pageantry you can imagine at that time is here, from fighting giant wild animals to a sea battle on land. The games are for the people to keep them entertained so they don’t know what is going on politically. Same thing in the first film. These games include sea battles in the arena and also, very large wild animals. The special effects are well done and cinematography by John Mathieson, also. Harry Gregson-William’s music carries the audience along from scene to scene. There just seems to be something missing, though, and perhaps it is heart. You don’t get into the depth of the storyline, so many plots going around, it is like a spinning top that is slowly unwinding.

All in all, one wishes for the mastery of Russell Crowe in the gladiator role, but alas, bygones are bygones. As far as acting, Paul Mescal as Lucius is a good physical performer, but the audience doesn’t get the depth of the character. Pedro Pascal as Acacius is the same, the depth isn’t there. Connie Nielsen, having been in the first “Gladiator,” is a gifted performer, but all in all, it is Denzel Washington, who steals the scenes. He shows us that he wants Rome in any way he can. It’s like playing chess with each hand having a different board. Pageantry can be a cover for many sins both in life and politically. See what you can find here.

Three Tocks

Copyright 2024 Marie Asner