Disney's Moana sequel breaks a major trend in movie sequels that Gladiator 2 failed to avoid.
Tl;dr
- “Gladiator II” repeats the plot of the original, with less success.
- “Moana 2” explores the theme of legacy and expectations.
- The “Moana” sequel introduces a new generation of characters.
The long shadow of the original hangs over “Gladiator II”
The wait for “Gladiator II” was high. However, the saga of Ridley Scott stumbles on its ambitions. The film, which focuses on Lucius, the son of Maximus Decimus Meridius, struggles to escape the imposing silhouette of its predecessor. His story seems to twist around to bring Lucius back into the heart of Rome, following in the footsteps of his legendary father. But haven't we already seen a slave become a gladiator and challenge an emperor? « Gladiator II » seems too attached to the image of Maximus to truly shine.
The burden of inheritance
A good sequel film should be able to tell its own story while also being a natural continuation of what came before. This is the case of “Blade Runner 2049” or “Creed”. These films respected their originals while allowing their protagonists to experience their own journey. Unfortunately, « Gladiator II » doesn't seem to have managed to do the same thing with Lucius. The film talks a lot about legacy and the difficulty of living up to our fathers, but when does Lucius really feel that weight?
“Moana 2” takes over
Fortunately, « Moana 2 » makes up for the mistakes of “Gladiator II”. The film, centered on Moana, explores the theme of legacy and expectations. Moana has become an excellent navigator and savior of her people, but she struggles to live up to these overwhelming expectations. The film introduces Simea, Moana's sister, adding an emotional dimension and a larger stake to the story. It's not just about Moana's legacy, but the fate of all her people. What if this heralds the path forward for a potential « Moana 3 » ? It's still too early to tell, but it seems like a logical continuation for the saga.
