When Ridley Scott made the original Gladiator at the turn of the millennium, it became a worldwide success that not only won five Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Russell Crowe, but revived the swords-and-sandals historical epic, paving the way for Wolfgang Petersen’s Troy and Oliver Stone’s Alexander. Although Scott would go on to direct films of different genres afterwards, it seems that Scott wasn’t quite done exploring the Roman Empire, specifically the games and politics that come out of the Colosseum.
Over the two decades since the release of the 2000 original, there have been an ongoing discussion over the possibility of a Gladiator II, including Nick Cave writing a truly demented script that would have resurrected Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius, who would fight across multiple periods of war. As much as Gladiator had touched upon the idea of the afterlife, Cave’s unmade script really pushed it at the forefront. In terms of the sequel that we actually got, Scott went back to basics.
Very much in the tradition of many legacy sequels, Gladiator II’s script by David Scarpa (who shares a story credit with Peter Craig) follows the broad strokes of the original film, in which Paul Mescal’s Lucius, who seeks revenge after his home is invaded by the Roman army led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal). After being enslaved, Lucius then fights as a gladiator for Macrinus (Denzel Washington), a former slave who plans to overthrow the emperors Geta and Caracalla (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger).
The 2000 original became known for its complicated production that involved multiple script rewrites and the sudden, tragic death of Oliver Reed before filming was finished. Amongst the many revisions, there was going to be a set-piece where Maximus fought a rhino in the Colosseum, which would have been too costly to film. If there was ever a reason for this sequel is to exist, it is so Ridley Scott got his rhino and boy, it does deliver. Having made a number of historical epics, it’s pretty obvious that Scott isn’t that interested in accuracy and more about showcasing epic action and with Gladiator II, he revels in the gladiatorial fights that feature drug-enhanced baboons and ships being used in a flooded Colosseum.
The aforementioned David Scarpa has previously collaborated with Scott on All the Money in the World and Napoleon, and if there is a thematic link between those films and Gladiator II is to explore how nasty people of high power are. In the wake of the HBO/BBC series Rome, which eventually lead to shows like Game of Thrones, it is not enough to be about epic action, but also showcase the politics where everyone is backstabbing one another. This film is at its best when it focuses on the politics, whether it is the Caligula-esque twin emperors who crave for world dominance, or Denzel Washington who steals the show as Macrinus who manipulates those around him so that he can control Rome.
For as much as Scott is flexing his artistic muscles when it comes to world-building and action set-pieces, it is a shame that Scott and Scarpa’s decision on where the film’s emotional core lies. Paul Mescal is trying his best in a leading role that is the most uncompelling thing on screen as you are never invested in his revenge arc which lacks the emotional punch of its predecessor. While there is the potential of an interesting family conflict which involves Lucius’ mother Lucilla and her husband Acacius – with Connie Nielsen and Pedro Pascal giving dramatic turns – the film is too wrapped up in its role as a legacy sequel that can never quite capture the majesty of what came before. Even Harry Gregson-Williams’ score recycles pieces from Hans Zimmer and Lisa Gerrard’s iconic score, but you just don’t feel the same way.
