Review by Brad Balfour
Film: “Gladiator ll”
Director: Ridley Scott
Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Lior Raz, Derek Jacobi, Connie Nielsen, Denzel Washington, Tim McInnerny, Alexander Karim, Rory McCann, Alec Utgoff, Yuval Gonen, Peter Mensah, Matt Lucas, Yann Gael
Master director Ridley Scott is no stranger to making, grand, sometimes grandiose, epics throughout his long career. “Gladiator II” certainly merits significant attention given its 25-year-old award-winning predecessor — “Gladiator.” When the 86-year-old released his epic years ago, the Brit was carrying on a tradition set into motion by such Greco/Roman sword slingers as “Spartacus,” “Ben Hur” and “Hercules” — films that emerged in late ‘50s/early ‘60s and on. Edition told an oft-fashioned story line (based on some historical figures) and dramatically shot, “Gladiator” went on to win a slew of Oscars, including Best Picture.
In the years following its release, there were numerous attempts to create a sequel. Musician Nick Cave even drafted a version focused on the more mythical elements of Ancient Rome. Yet, the studio declined to go that way before finally settling on making this one in 2018. Besides the narrative — which ultimately wasn’t going to veer that far from the original — they had to find the right gladiator, one who would equal Russell Crowe’s serious and determined Maximus.
Although Timothée Chalamet, Miles Teller, Austin Butler, Richard Madden and Paul Mescal met or auditioned for Sir Ridley, it was Mescal who made a lasting impression on Scott. Mescal’s numerous shirtless scenes and buff physique displayed in a recent production of “A Streetcar Named Desire” convinced Paramount execs to give the Irish actor the lead. With this casting, the 30-year-old became Lucius Verus — heir to the Roman Empire and Maximus’ son (who was the main character from the 2000 film). He had lived with his wife in Numidia and had no connection with his mother, Lucilla [Connie Nielsen, who, with Djimon Hounsou and Sir Derek Jacobi, were the only returning cast members] for around 15 years.
Led by supreme General Marcus Acacius [Pedro Pascal], the Roman troops had invaded his home and killed his wife. Taken prisoner by the Roman army, Lucius was forced to fight as a gladiator.
Trained under Maximus, Acacius takes over North Africa and returns to Rome a hero. But he doesn’t want to send more men to war for the hated twin emperors — Geta [played by Joseph Quinn and based on the historical figure] alongside his brother, Caracalla [Fred Hechinger].
At first, he served as a symbol to Lucius of everything he hates. But once he opposes the emperors, the legendary commander is relegated to fighting as a gladiator in the Colosseum as well.
They become allies when Acacius defies the two rulers; yet both are doomed to fight each other.
The Colosseum scenes are like Mixed Martial Arts porn, with heads being ripped off, bloody bodies strewn about and massive animals crushing the fighters. The final Colosseum battles are paeans to CGI grandiosity and certainly elevate the film’s epic-ness.
Wending its way through various conspiratorial meetings, backroom plotting and devious decision-making, the movie focuses on how the gladiatorial arts fed the Romans’ blood lust. They also allowed one man, Macrinus [Denzel Washington], to worm his way into ultimate power by betraying everyone else. A former slave, he plots to control Rome, keeps a stable of gladiators for his own use and is cruel to the arena fighters including Lucius whom he also mentors. Working also as an arms dealer, he provided food and oil to the armies in Europe.
Macrinus was a gangster who started out as a prisoner of war, then became a gladiator, and toppled the twin crowns of Rome. Washington plays this character as a deliciously sinister antagonist with a “twinkle” of bisexuality.
Despite being overly long and sometimes ambling its way between conspiracy and blood bath, there are two essential reasons to see “Gladiator ll.” Mescal makes for a full-blown, hard-bodied action hero and Denzel plays a truly Shakespearean evil antagonist with aplomb — a role that might be his last before he retires. So for that alone the film is a must see this season.
Timed as it is to be a holiday blockbuster, it provides a viable alternative to any treacly holiday entertainment filler. But it’s definitely not for the squeamish.