Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
It's been 24 years since we first entered the Colosseum with Maximus Decimus Meridius. Twenty-four years since the general turned slave turned Gladiator told us what we do in life echoes in eternity and undoubtedly entertained us.
In 2000, "Gladiator" won best picture, best actor and three more Academy Awards after garnering 12 nominations. In addition to all the hardware, the movie also earned nearly half a billion dollars at the global box office.
More than two decades later, "Gladiator II" is ready for the big screening and hopes to entertain you again.
This time around, there is no Maximus or Commodus; instead, we have the barbarian and Macrinus. But with fresh faces, some old ones and familiar battles in the Colosseum, is "Gladiator II" worth a trip back to the theater?
If you're curious to know what I think, I'm here to tell you the answer is yes. The new epic may not live up to its predecessor, but it's a good time at the theater and a fine addition to the catalog.
Here are some reasons I think "Gladiator II" is a worthy successor to "Gladiator."
The cast
Just like the first film, "Gladiator II" has put together a fantastic cast. There are many moving parts with many characters and storylines, but everyone seems to understand the importance of their job and deliver fine performances.
Some notable mentions include Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen reprising her role as Lucilla. Pascal is everywhere these days, and somehow, the Mandalorian fits right in among the throngs in ancient Rome. Nielsen continues the great work she did in the original film and is better in this than she was in the first movie.
You will also hate the twin emperors, played by Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn. If you think Quinn looks familiar, you likely know him better as Eddie from "Stranger Things." Herchinger and Quinn are loathsome as the tyrannical leaders of Rome, and as we walked out of the theater, my wife said, "I hated them." I looked at her and responded, "That's because they were so good."
They are so good, in fact, that I think you'll struggle to see them in anything else and not feel a little nauseous for the next while.
I have saved the best for last.
Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington steal the show. Mescal is not a household name, but he is our new Gladiator and fits the sandals well. His performance is real, and his physicality meets the role's demands. He is not playing Maximus, but he gives us the same vibes as then-newcomer Russel Crowe did in the original. If you do not know Mescal, I suggest getting to know him because I am guessing you will see a lot of him in the future.
Then we have the veteran, Washington. The man is fantastic in everything he does, and this is no exception. I am willing to say this is one of his best performances since his Oscar-winning role in "Training Day." Yes, it is that good. His character, Macrinus, is an enigma; you simultaneously love and hate him. Some of that has to do with the script, but the way Washington brings it to life is unforgettable — he should earn another Academy Award nomination for this role, if not another win.
It's great to see an epic back on the big screen
As I was prepping to see "Gladiator II," I was chatting with a friend, and we reminisced about the days of the historical epic. There was an era — 20 to 30 years ago — when studios invested in big-budget epics, and we could not wait to buy a ticket to see it in the theater. These movies included titles like "Gladiator," "The Patriot," "The Last of the Mohicans," and one of my personal favorites, "Braveheart." We have had others over the years like "Napoleon" and "Troy," but it's been too long since we've seen a well-done juggernaut like "Braveheart" and "Gladiator."
It seems all the big budgets are now reserved for superheroes and live-action remakes of animated classics. I, for one, would love to see more historical epics, and it was simultaneously refreshing and nostalgic to watch "Gladiator II."
I can't be the only one who feels like movie theaters were made for movies like this: grand-scale productions with incredible set designs, soul-shaking sound, tangible characters, moving stories and iconic heroes like Maximus and William Wallace.
"Gladiator II" may be a sequel, as opposed to an original production like many of the films I mentioned, but it got back to the roots of these historical epics and made me feel like a kid heading to the theater excited to sit down with my popcorn, Nestle Crunch and ready to be transported to another time to meet long past heroes and visit locations that have been lost in sand and time. This movie took me back and kept me in that state for nearly three hours, and I was there for every minute of it.
What parents should know
"Gladiator II" is rated R, and it earns that rating. There is no bad language in the movie and no sex scenes. However, there are many allusions to sex and some partial nudity. The idea of excess and moral ambiguity in ancient Rome is alive and well in "Gladiator II," even if it is not explicitly shown.
Where the movie really earns its rating, however, is the violence. This should not be a surprise for those who have seen the original. "Gladiator" was known for its brutal and often graphic violence. "Gladiator II" takes that approach and then turns the dial up a few notches. The new movie is actually bloodier and more graphic than the original. The movie is not for the faint of heart and certainly not made for young audiences. The violence starts early, and while there are some breaks here and there, it is more or less constant for the lengthy 2½ hour run time.
Conclusion
Maximus asked us more than 20 years ago if we were not entertained. I can confidently say this movie entertains ... and then some. Despite some missteps, uncanny coincidences and shaky occasional CGI, "Gladiator II" is a movie made to be enjoyed on the big screen.
While I do not think "Gladiator II" is as good as "Gladiator," I did enjoy the movie and think it found a way to continue the story so many of us fell in love with 24 years ago.
"Gladiator II" is officially rated R for strong bloody violence.
