The sequel offers a convincing new leading actor and surprises with a scheming Denzel Washington.
So now Paul Mescal slips on his combat sandals and is ready for colossal action in the Roman Colosseum. The new gladiator Lucius is a fan of the old one, because as a boy he once looked up to Maximus (Russel Crowe) as a hero and had to witness how this humiliated general died in the arena. Of all people, the murderous Emperor Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix), whom Maximus was able to send into the afterlife with the last of his strength, was Lucius' uncle.
Scene from “Gladiator II”
Lucius as the new Maximus
And how has the boy been since then? Prince Lucius Verus wasn't exactly lucky either and shares a similar fate with his role model. He has been living far away from Rome under an assumed name for years, but now the past is catching up with him and he ends up in captivity and slavery. So he soon follows in Maximus' footsteps – that's why the film is called “Gladiator II”.
Scene from “Gladiator II”
Cleared family relationships
It takes time until there is a kind of family reunification and the family relationships are clarified. Screenwriter David Scarpa, who contributed the script to Scott's previous work “Napoleon”, came up with a good twist to preserve the memory of the former gladiator. The animated opening credits already create a nostalgic mood for the topic and allow us to relive important moments with Maximus.
Scene from “Gladiator II”
The dream of the new Rome as a nightmare
Connie Nielsen returns in her role as Lucilla – she is now the wife of the general Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal). The couple has dangerous thoughts and tries to realize the legacy of Lucilla's father, the visionary Emperor Mak Aurel. Its hopeful “Dream of Rome” is repeatedly invoked, although it looks more like the capital is currently living through a nightmare in which only the law of the strongest counts. A pair of imperial brothers plunges Rome into a maelstrom of corruption and violence. In fact, this time there is not just a crazy emperor, but a psychopath duo in the form of Geta (Joseph Quinn from “Stranger Things”) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger).
Scene from “Gladiator II”
Denzel Washington as the second main character
Denzel Washington completes the great cast. He plays Macrinus, arms dealer and lord of the gladiators, and it seems as if he is the direct successor to Proximo (Oliver Reed), the head of the gladiator school. But that's only true, as Macrinus strives for higher things and doesn't remain a supporting character, but actually becomes the second main character who is perfect at scheming.
Scene from “Gladiator II”
Battle turmoil in the arena
Almost 25 years later, Ridley Scott tries to outdo himself once again when it comes to staging opulent fights and does it surprisingly well. The combat climax is clearly a re-enactment of a sea battle in the flooded arena – and the water is teeming with sharks so that no one who falls overboard has the slightest chance. But Scott doesn't seem to know much about animals, because at the very first gladiator fight, wild monkeys storm into the arena that look so computer-born that it's a real shame.
Scene from “Gladiator II”
Ridley Scott at his old strength
By the way, the actual decisive battle no longer takes place in the Colosseum, but rather takes place in an open field. This turns out to be a smart decision on Scott's part – he doesn't rely on the tried and tested recipe and breaks the old mold. The result proves him right: This new gladiator may not quite match the strength of the old one, but it doesn't owe it anything in terms of drama and tension. The monumental panorama of a world empire in crisis unfolds before our eyes (and fortunately the animal kingdom plays a subordinate role, because Scott would definitely have failed there).
4 out of 5 blood-soaked arena sand grains