It has been a long time since the 86-year-old British director had offered a film in the tradition of his great successes like Blade Runr, Alien or the first part of Gladiator.
The challenge was immense. After all, it is very risky to make a sequel more than 20 years after the first film.
Mission accomplished in the case of Gladiator 2.
Taking place 16 years after the events of the previous part, we follow Lucius Verus who, by force of circumstances, will be led to follow in the footsteps of his father Maximus Meridius.
The first minutes of the film leave us with a feeling of déjà vu. We say to ourselves that it's the same thing as in 2000, but simply with more action.
Well no.
If the first part was above all a story of revenge. That of General Maximus, played at the time by Russell Crowe, the sequel offers us a much more complex plot.
To hell with simple revenge, this feature film is about brotherhood, family, politics, conspiracy, inheritance… and yes, revenge too.
Although the scenario sometimes falls into the easy way, notably when the true identity of Lucius is revealed, the story nevertheless takes us in surprising directions.
With this sequel, Ridley Scott further scratches the different layers of the gladiator universe of that era.
Even if he can be criticized for taking liberties with historical facts, Ridley Scott delivers an epic work. Not only are the action scenes breathtaking, but they serve the story skillfully.
Scott's direction is impressive, the fight choreography is exceptionally executed.
During the previous film, several critics pointed out the lack of charisma of the characters, sometimes too depressive, too excessively morose.
In Gladiator 2we can really get attached to the protagonists who have a personality of their own.
He may not have the same presence on screen as Russell Crowe, but we must salute the work of Paul Mescal.
This actor little known to the general public offers an impressive performance as Lucius Verus.
Although he is driven by the same thirst for revenge as the main character of the first film, Mescal's interpretation is more nuanced than Crowe's.
We feel our anger, our pain, our joy and our internal conflicts more.
Paul Mescal will certainly be an actor to watch in the coming years thanks to this role.
As for the character of General Marcus Acaius (Pedro Pascal), he is the one whose character reminds us more of that of Maximus Meridius.
Introduced as Lucius Verus' sworn enemy, his importance in the story will go beyond this simple role.
Pedro Pascal's acting is sober, without extravagance, but still very effective.
But among all the protagonists, it is undoubtedly the one played by Denzel Washington who has the most interesting development. Throughout the film, we struggle to understand his true intentions, and this makes it fascinating to watch from start to finish.
Although they are less important narratively speaking than Joaquin Phoenix was in the first opus, we also highlight the acting of Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger.
The emperor twins mark us with their sadism, their eccentricity and their absurdity.
As for the music, in 2000 Hans Zimmer composed a soundtrack, which to this day is still considered one of the most beautiful in cinema. Unfortunately, this sequel only repeats certain scores, without offering new ones.
Gladiator 2 is an epic story that plunges us into an ancient Rome in full turmoil.
A feature film that marks us not only for the action of its fights, but also for its sustained narrative and its passionate performers.
Despite the skepticism surrounding this project, we can only be happy that Ridley Scott has jumped into the fighting arena again.
Gladiator 2 is presented in the cinema.
Gladiator 2 Trailer (Paramount)
In the credits
- Cote: 8/10
- Titre: Gladiator 2
- Genre: Adventures
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Distribution: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington
- Duration: 2h28
