Recently, Sir Ridley Scott was capable of the best (The Last Duel2021) as of the month good (Napoleon2023) as the worst (House Of Gucci2021). The much awaited Gladiator II clearly falls into the first category.
This second part follows the first and takes place twenty years later. Although reference is made, it is not necessary to have seen Gladiatorreleased in 2000, to appreciate the second opus. Exit Joaquin Phoenix and Russell Crowe. Pedro Pascal, Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington are united today for a luxurious peplum.
What is it about
Rome is under the rule of Emperors Caracalla and Geta. Son of Maximus who died in the first part and Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), Lucius finds himself in the arena. He wishes to avenge the death of his wife for which he blames General Acacius. All these little people will clash while the rich Macrinus arranges his little affairs behind the scenes.
A four-star cast
Sir Ridley is not limited to gentlemen in skirts ready to do battle in the arena. He has brought together charismatic performers whom he strives to highlight by delving into the intimacy of the characters. The relationships between the protagonists develop in an exciting way. Denzel Washington is particularly notable. We can't imagine it not being nominated for the Oscars.
An exciting storyline
The quality of the writing is remarkable. Screenwriter David Scarpa managed to make the many family and political rivalries fluid. It had to be done because ancient Rome is a real basket of crabs. It excites us about the quest for power, fascinates us with well-depicted characters and offers us solid suspense which makes the confrontations all the more thrilling.
The kings of the arena
Whoever says “Gladiator” thinks “gentlemen hitting each other”. Ridley Scott knows his way around action, and when he puts his mind to it, he remains one of the best in the business. If historians cry foul when talking about anachronisms, they are undoubtedly right, but too bad. The entertainment is total and the happiness too. We find in Gladiator II the happiness and change of scenery of the great Peplum classics like Where are you going? by Mervyn LeRoy, Spartacus by Stanley Kubrick or Ben-How by William Wyler. The great spectacle seems to concern the filmmaker much more than historical accuracy.
Funny ideas
We thought we knew everything about gladiator fights and we were pleasantly surprised by many discoveries. We would not have imagined the Colosseum transformed into a swimming pool where boats compete or the intervention of rhinoceroses in the fights. These passages bring a welcome originality to the whole by mishandling the clichés of a genre that one might have thought old-fashioned.
And soon, the rest
At 86, Ridley Scott still proudly wears his laurels as a filmmaker without resting on them. We don't know if Gladiator II will have a César nomination, but it would be deserved (and fun). There is already talk of a third part being started quickly. Popcorn and games: this is definitely a timeless cocktail! Yes, we love gladiator films when they are of the quality of this one.
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