Some movies should never have had a sequel.
I was 17 when the first Gladiator film was released in 2000. I loved it—and still do.
It’s one of those movies that stay with you. You know, the kind where you remember both the overall plot and how it made you feel. Russell Crowe’s Maximus’ agonized cries after seeing his wife and son ravaged by Commodus’ (Joaquin Phoenix) Praetorian Guards tears my heart to this day, over 24 years since the film’s theatrical release. Marcus Aurelius’ (Richard Harris) death at the hands of his son Commodus is still every bit as horrifying as director Ridley Scott wanted it to be. Then there’s Commodus’ advances toward his sister Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), which to this day is as cringe-worthy as the first time I watched the scenes.
Then there are the images left seared in your memory, the most iconic (and most parodied) of which is that of Maximus grazing his palm over stalks of wheat. The gladiators’ breathtaking yet futile attempt to escape Rome. And, of course, that epic final showdown between Maximus and Commodus.
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And like any historic action flick, we were treated to grand speeches that stir the soul rather than merely pandering to our sentimentality. In the hands of a lesser actor and director, Maximus’ “Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained? Is this not why you are here?” mini-speech to the gladiatorial audience wouldn’t have been as stirring. So searing it was, that even without breaking the fourth wall, it seemed as if Maximus was also addressing us.
These said, Gladiator is not flawless. It is a classic, however, and a critically-acclaimed one at that. It won five Oscars, including Best Picture, besting films such as Chocolat, Erin Brockovich, Traffic, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and a Best Actor win for Russell Crowe. More than the accolades and a huge box office draw (US$465 million), is the film’s enduring status as a beloved pop culture icon.
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So when it was announced that Gladiator would have a sequel and that three of my favorite actors will star in it, namely Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal, and Denzel Washington, with the added bonus of Nielsen and Derek Jacobi (Senator Gracchus) reprising their roles—I was beyond thrilled. It was unimaginable for a production with such a massive budget (reported to be US$350 million) and stellar cast to be a disappointment.
But here I am writing this (spoiler-free) review about why one of 2024’s most highly anticipated films is also among its biggest letdowns.
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Talented cast wasted, weak writing
Gladiator is one of those career-defining films that actors on the brink of superstardom dream of. True enough, it catapulted Crowe to worldwide fame. Gladiator II was supposed to do the same for the equally talented and more charming Mescal. After all, he only needed that one little nudge given his already impressive filmography (he was unforgettable in Normal People and phenomenal in Aftersun). But alas, the script can only carry him so far. The writing was so spectacularly underwhelming that not even Mescal, Pascal, and Washington’s combined star power and talent could save the film.
Mescal’s Hanno/Lucius seemed one dimensional, just all rage bottled up, except for the last 30 minutes of the film, particularly in his more nuanced scenes with Lucilla. Pascal was criminally underutilized. He is far more memorable as the Mandalorian even with his face covered with a helmet 99% of the time than as Acacius in Gladiator II. I couldn’t even think of a line or a scene that reminds me of his role, save for the opening battle when he conquered Hanno’s adopted homeland.
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Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, decent actors as they are in previous projects, were reduced to rowdy caricatures as the mad emperors Geta and Caracalla. All they had was the madness but none of the quiet malevolence of Phoenix’s Commodus. Nielsen’s Lucilla could have used more screen time, especially Jacobi’s Senator Gracchus.
If there was one character that was at least complex and interesting enough, it was Washington’s scheming, cunning Macrinus, all thanks to the Oscar-award winning actor’s performance. Still, his character’s murky motivations and rapid rise and fall from power is so jarring that it borders the absurd.
To be fair, Gladiator II is still an entertaining watch. The direction and cinematography are nothing to frown upon. The special effects are top notch. But just like Macrinus’ opulent robes and dazzling robes, the visual aspects of a film can only do so much. Sure, the acting delivered, but that’s only half of the equation—the other half is the writing upon which much of a film’s soul is anchored.
And this is why Gladiator II is a colossal failure. Its script reduced it to a visually arresting yet soulless, hollow film. It has only but morsels of its predecessor’s gravitas and earnestness. Sure, it will keep you entertained for about two hours, but that’s it. It won’t move you to tears or keep you pondering long after the credits roll.
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