Gladiator 2 review: "A rousing spectacle with Ridley Scott and Denzel Washington on top form"

It's understandable why many are feeling nervous about Gladiator 2. After all, the Oscar-winning original has cemented itself in the cultural zeitgeist for its epic speeches, its thrilling battles (both emotionally and in the arena), a god-tier score from composer Hans Zimmer, and is rightly considered as one of director Ridley Scott’s best films.

While the filmmaker can be a bit hit-or-miss as of late (for every Alien and Blade Runner, we get The House of Gucci and Napoleon), it's hard to argue against the notion that no-one makes films like he does. Scott is a rare breed director and so all eyes are on his return to the colosseum.

Things could have been very different had musician Nick Cave had his way with Gladiator 2, going down a time-travelling saga route where Maximus (Russell Crowe) battles his way through the afterlife. While thankfully the sequel escapes that path, admittedly it doesn’t reach the lofty heights of the Oscar-winning predecessor. However, with Scott and star Denzel Washington delivering the goods, it is the best outcome it could have hoped for.

Treading its own path

There’s a touch of George Miller’s Furiosa: A Mad Max Story woven in the fabrics of David Scarpa’s screenplay, whereby it doesn’t try to replicate the mastery of the original film. It simply can’t. Sure, there are nostalgic callbacks, but this sequel is comfortable in doing its own thing.

It's still a story about vengeance, but with added measures of political corruption and greed, it sets a different tone that is welcome relief in justifying its existence. In fact, Scarpa’s script feels like a natural extension of Gladiator’s extended cut, building on the shadowy politics hidden within the walls of Ancient Rome.

Taking place 16 years after Maximus and Marcus Aurelius’ deaths, the dream that was once Rome has been long forgotten, becoming broken, diseased, and corrupted by two Emperors (Joseph Quinn's Geta and Fred Hechinger's Caracalla) who use their cruel tyranny to conquer countries and imprison their captives as slaves.

If Scott was making a point about politics becoming more about self-obsessed, petulant leaders who have zero care for their citizens, then Quinn and Hechinger's duo are its vessel, filled with plenty of over-the-top theatricality and a monkey as Caracalla’s sidekick (of course). It’s safe to say, Scott is not without his sense of humor, intentionally or otherwise.

Are you not entertained?

Rome’s hope and future is found in Lucius (Paul Mescal), with rage in his heart and vowing vengeance (in this life or the next) against General Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) for the death of his wife Arishat (Yuval Gonen) during the battle of Numidia.

On the surface, Scarpa’s script may feel familiar, but he does have some fun in the gladiatorial sandbox. In playing with the dynamics, Lucius has turned his back on the poison of Rome whilst Acacius plots his Emperors’ downfall despite being the poster boy of the Empire. This neatly positions Scott’s film into a tantalizing showdown with Rome on the verge of a dramatic collapse.

Aside from a few questionable VFX shots, the battle scenes play to Scott’s strengths, upping the ante by having gladiators face off against rhinos, baboons, and a shark-infested colosseum in a recreated naumachia battle. Whether on land or at sea, it lives up to the spectacle of being violent, bloody, and brutal, with its impeccable production design and costuming as an added bonus.

An uneven tale

Yet, similarly to Scott’s previous film (Napoleon), the uneven storyline stops it from reaching the gates of elysium. Gladiator 2 is by far the better effort with Scarpa and Scott bridging the thematic gap between the first and second films. However, the sequel’s tendency to rush and skip over details allows for some muddled creative decisions and a lack of screen time for its supporting characters to give weight to their motivations.

Connie Nielsen’s Lucilla and her decision to give up her son is not explored with enough depth, nor does it elaborate on how the two Emperors rose to power in the vacuum of Aurielus’ death. It’s a missed opportunity, which stops the sequel from reaching its full potential.

The film also misses composer Hans Zimmer. It’s easy to underestimate how instrumental Zimmer’s voice was who, alongside singer Lisa Gerrard, provided the emotional heavy-lifting to some of the original film’s most iconic moments. While his replacement Harry Gregson-Williams does an admirable job, his effort sadly lacks the visceral punch to elevate above the dramatics on screen.

A Washington win

But when it does stick its landing, Gladiator 2 stands strong thanks to Washington’s Macrinus. The Academy Award-winner has the time of his life playing a political schemer and social climber, with his unmatched energy swanning about in extravagant robes, which are upgraded after every political shift he oversees. Macrinus' quest for power, alongside his backstory, makes the sequel a worthy entry. Meanwhile, Mescal continues to grow confidently as the leading man while Pascal does his best with his limited screen time.

It’s far from his best work, but the return to form by Scott is notable, proving that he still has the cinematic power to visually engage and excite audiences. Are you not entertained? Well, Scott still possesses the magic.

Gladiator 2 arrives in UK cinemas on November 15 before heading to US theaters on November 22. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming major movie release dates for everything else the year has in store.