Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Gladiator II’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Paul Mescal in Ridley Scott’s GLADIATOR II. (Photo Courtesy of Paramount Pictures.)

There was a time in Hollywood, where epic motion pictures about the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, were everywhere to be found. In fact, some of the biggest films in motion picture history, revolved around this era, since films like Ben Hur featured the empire in its twisted glory in a grand and sweeping manner, and well, it makes sense as to why audiences flocked to these stories. For they were nothing short of the epitome of Hollywood magic, since these movies perfectly recreated the empire and explored life in these stories in a dynamic manner and wowed us every step of the way with stunning action and adventure and performances that truly sold an era long gone. But what’s interesting, is that these stories all but faded from the silver screen following the release of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator in 2000.
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For reasons that have become clear as time as rolled along. After all, a mere eight years after the release of that epic, came the dawn of the superhero epic and audiences truly demanded more of that. But also, there was an understanding that the genre had grown stagnant and was no longer offering what audiences wanted. Such as rich stories that tie into universes and ponder upon more than baseline concepts and provide us with commentary on our world and feature characters that are more than caricatures. Granted, Gladiator accomplished some of that, but it was indeed too little, too late and it left all of us wondering, if such stories would ever return to the silver screen and impress us again. Well as it turns out, there is still a home for these films on the big screen, and they can resonate with audiences and adapt with the times and continue to wow us, as evidenced by the latest release from Paramount Pictures, Gladiator II.

Which are feats this film accomplishes, courtesy of a magnificent and grandiose plot. One that takes us sixteen years after Marcus Aurelius’ death at the hands of his son Commodus, wherein we learn that Rome has plunged further into darkness. For now, it is ruled by a pair of pedantic twin Emperors named Geta and Caracalla, who have inadvertently set in motion more chaos in Rome. For their highly respected general, Acacius has returned from the empire’s latest conquest, and he has brought with him an incredible warrior named Hanno. Who is so talented and so fierce that he sets in motion a grand plan to change the balance of power of Rome. For the city always believes in its war heroes and his gladiators and if Hanno can do in the games what his keeper, Macrinus, believes he can accomplish… there is a chance that a new Rome can come forth, a hope that only grows when several people in the city discover the secret that Hanno harbors.

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Which is… the perfect way to resurrect this type of film. In large part because it really does update the genre for a new generation of moviegoer that wants that depth and wants that connective tissue. For this is indeed a true sequel to the original, complete with elements we won’t spoil here, that expand the franchise and extend the story we fell in love with, and it does indeed offer more. Since this particular script harbors some hard commentary on our modern world, regarding politicians in our world that are as bombastic as they are incompetent and the era of excess and ignorance that we currently live within. Not to insult but to warn, as good commentary does and that does indeed offer depth and wonder to a story that makes sure to not forget what makes this genre so great and so powerful. Specifically, grandiose action.
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Of which you will find in spades here. Simply because this is indeed a true epic through and through, and the battles in the coliseum are about as incredible as they get. Courtesy of wonderful direction from Mister Scott and sequences that hold nothing back when it comes to the savagery the games once harbored in the coliseum and that oddly ties into the excessive nature of the era as well. Since the Romans here spare no expense in giving the masses matches, they want and desire, complete with spectacle that would rival even the biggest entertainment we enjoy today. All of which brings forth just some stunning action sequences. The kind that truly put people on the edge of their seat in the screening that this particular writer attended, and all of these elements give rise to a triumphant return of the Roman epic, courtesy of an outright magnificent motion picture.

For this one truly has it all. Stunning action, powerhouse moments and visuals that take our breath away, and wondrous depth and intelligence. Not to mention, it harbors magnificent performances, courtesy of a cast that consists of heavy hitters such as Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal, and Connie Nielsen, who turn loose here with their talents, and revel in the majesty of being part of a story that some of them have never done before. But Paul Mescal also deserves a round of applause, since he anchors this film with his beautifully nuanced performance of Hanno, and one has to mention Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, who bring a stunning madness to the creepy twin emperors in this tale, and all of this results in a must-see spectacle. For this one really is a powerhouse feature that signals a brand-new era for the Roman epic and all the wonder it can still send our way.

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