Gladiator II is one of the most anticipated films of the year 2024. Following the first cult film released in 2000, this second opus is as much in line with it as it is different from it. . For our greatest pleasure.
Twenty-four years later, the sequel to the huge success Gladiator is released in theaters this Wednesday. Enough to make cinema lovers salivate, who oscillate between excitement to discover Ridley Scott's sequel and fear that it will tarnish his work.
“Gladiator” (2000) was indeed a landmark in the history of modern cinema, just as the first Iron Man revolutionized the superhero film. His success was exceptional with 45 distinctions (including 5 Oscars) and his fruitful posterity with the wave of peplums (antique historical fiction) which followed: “Troy” (Wolfgang Petersen, 2004), “Alexander” (Oliver Stone, 2005), “300” (Zack Snyder, 2007) or “The Last Legion” (Doug Lefler, 2007). Yet none had the same reception as “Gladiator”. Exceptional actors, an epic story, a powerful soundtrack and memorable scenes, all delivered by Ridley Scott at the top of his game. The weight of history therefore weighed on this opus and the game of comparisons was inevitable.
Lucius, who was left very young after a memorable final scene, has grown up a lot. About twenty years after the death of Maximus, he was sent to Numidia (North Africa) by his mother, concerned about his safety. The story begins when Rome comes to conquer its city, thanks to Marcus Acacius. During this battle, he condemned the prisoners of war to slavery, including Lucius, who also lost his wife in combat. Driven by a thirst for revenge comparable to Maximus in the first film, he can count on Macrinus, who has believed in him since his meeting, to win his case.
Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius is forced to enter the Colosseum when his country is conquered by the tyrannical emperors who now rule Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find the strength and honor to restore the glory of Rome to his people.
Between continuity and rupture
The scenario of this second part is the continuation, a few years later, of the first story. A brilliant move on the part of the screenwriters, which allows us to maintain an obvious contextual link with the first Gladiator, while renewing almost the entire cast of the film. To continue to stick with the universe of the first feature film, Ridley Scott uses flashbacks perfectly, which allow those nostalgic for Russell Crowe's performance to recall good memories. Likewise, the soundtrack, although revisited by Harry Gregson-Williams (disciple of Hans Zimmer), remains perfectly faithful to the first. We even find, not without some thrills, the composition “Now we are free”. Far from the doubts expressed during the release, against the backdrop of American rap, of the trailer.
But if the link is obvious, perfectly symbolized by the character of Lucius, who becomes the main role in this new part, while he was only minor in the first, the break is materialized by the new team of actors . Only Connie Nielsen remains, in the role of Lucila, while Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal are there to make us forget the XXL performances of Russell Crowe, alias Maximus, and Joaquin Phoenix in the skin of Commodus. The complexity of the links that unite the characters in the second film, more obvious, makes it just as pleasant to follow.
Indeed, Macrinus (Denzel Washington) and Lucius (Paul Mescal), although linked by their status as master and slave, form a deeper and evolving relationship, as young Lucius becomes aware of his destiny. Likewise, Lucius' hatred for Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) is certainly legitimized by the death of his wife, commanded by Marcus Acacius during a battle, but avoids any Manichaeism, the latter, far from representing a bitter antagonist, making proof on many occasions of a certain “humanism”.
In this second part, Lucius, considered the son of the glorious Maximus and Lucila, is quickly reminded of his prestigious kinship by his mother: “Take the strength of your father. His name was Maximus. And I see it in you,” she told him when she told him who his father was. On screen, the courage and leadership demonstrated by Lucius leaves little room for doubt, whether in the arena or during battles, like the opening scene of the film, which immediately immerses us in action. But while Russell Crowe's Maximus was steeped in tragedy, Lucius stands out for his joviality and humor, chatting and having fun with other slaves as well as with a member of the elite. A judicious choice that fits Paul Mescal perfectly, far from the bodybuilder profile – despite the impressive physical metamorphosis – that one might fear for such a role.
An “almost” historical film
Just like the first film, this opus is full of key scenes (duels, battles, moments of strategic genius, plots…) but also captivating dialogues. It is impossible not to appreciate certain returns to the sources with the “strength and honor” or “what we do in our life, resonates in eternity” heard, while new punchlines will undoubtedly remain in the heads of the spectators. Like these lines from Virgil that Lucius recites: “The gates of hell are open night and day, smooth is the descent, obvious is the path”, “do we dare to rebuild this dream?” during his final speech, or even “where we are, there is no death” which Lucius likes to say to motivate his troops.
And as in any good epic, the hero's story allows a dive into Antiquity. Geographical, with a scenario that takes us on a journey to North Africa, where Lucius had been exiled, and political, Ridley Scott taking particular care to describe this empire, brilliant from the outside, but weakened from the inside.
The quality of the costumes – which is matched only by that of the sets – are absolutely sublime, allowing certain seemingly anecdotal scenes to captivate the viewer, and reinforcing a feeling of immersion that the director loves. The beauty of certain shots (the alley of the Obelisk, the gate of Rome), in particular the aerial views of the capital of the empire, make us forget his Napoleon who could have disappointed with his coldness and his lack of breath. Finally, the Colosseum, which is discussed a lot since it is the focus of many clashes, is also magnificently depicted.
It's difficult to deny your pleasure at this gem from Ridley Scott, who knew how to take the best of the recipe from the first film to achieve his ends, adding a little more contrast and spectacularity.
The only common point that we could find with his latest film Napoléon, and which should once again raise the hackles of historians, is its relationship with history. So, if the Colosseum could indeed host reconstructions of maritime battles, there was never any question of it housing sharks. Likewise, no gladiator has ever tamed a rhinoceros to fight. A few pranks that we can forgive the screenwriters, undoubtedly the price to pay to obtain some of the most striking scenes of the film. In any case, there is no reason to shy away from the pleasure of diving back into a period which has never ceased to inspire the 7th art, this time for the better.
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