‘Gladiator II’ Did One Thing Better Than the Original

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  • Denzel Washington’s Macrinus Is the Best Villain in the Franchise
  • Emperor Commodus Was Whiny and Annoying in ‘Gladiator’

As a seasoned film enthusiast with decades of viewing under my belt and countless hours spent within the confines of the Colosseum-like atmosphere of various theaters, I must say that Gladiator II has surpassed its predecessor in one crucial aspect – the villainy department.

A fresh perspective: It’s a bold statement, but I believe that in the crucial aspect of antagonist portrayal, the sequel to Gladiator outshines the original…

In the sequel titled “Gladiator II“, the theme of revenge is given a new twist. Unlike Maximus from the first film who sought to eliminate the deceitful Commodus, the protagonist this time around, named Lucius (portrayed by Paul Mescal), intends to bring down the entire Roman Army. Having escaped Rome as a youngster, Lucius builds a new existence in Namibia. However, when the Romans assert their control over the city, Lucius is captured and forced to battle in arenas much like his father, Maximus, did before him. Throughout his journey, he receives assistance from his owner, Macrinus, who vows to deliver the head of Roman general Acacius (Pedro Pascal). Yet, Macrinus harbors ambitions that surpass those of Emperor Commodus, making him a far more intriguing character.

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Denzel Washington’s Macrinus Is the Best Villain in the Franchise

In another words, what’s not to adore about Denzel Washington? He brings such an abundance of appeal and allure to Macrinus that we even find ourselves supporting him. With his sights set on Rome and the entire Empire, Macrinus, after acquiring Lucius, embarks on his journey. Achieving such a grand ambition might seem implausible for most characters, but Macrinus’ intelligence and captivating personality make it a tangible goal.

Among all villains in the franchise, Macrinus stands out as exceptionally cunning. Unlike Commodus who often lets his feelings control him, leading to hasty decisions, Macrinus consistently anticipates his opponents’ moves several steps ahead. He was the one who initially discovered that the slave he purchased was none other than Lucius. Using this knowledge, he skillfully manipulated and influenced his mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), thereby advancing himself within Rome’s power structure.

Above all, while Emperors Geta (Joseph Quin) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger) spent their days reveling on the throne with disastrous consequences, Macrinus stood out as the only figure who could engage them on their own terms. He knew how to manipulate them effectively, much like skillfully playing a fiddle – or perhaps an aulos, a more period-specific instrument. Cleverly, Macrinus was able to drive a wedge between the brothers and exploit the already tumultuous Rome for his benefit.

In the movie, Ridley Scott skillfully portrayed Macrinus’ intelligence, giving viewers a glimpse into his cunning strategies to enhance the narrative’s dramatic tension. However, in numerous scenes, Macrinus outsmarted the audience, revealing sinister intentions that were far more malevolent than anticipated. Interestingly enough, despite his villainous actions, we found ourselves cheering for him. Not only was Denzel Washington captivating as Macrinus, but he also evoked sympathy from the viewers. As the story reached its climax, Macrinus disclosed his motivation for seizing Rome – he had once been a slave under Marcus Aurelius, who was Macrinus’ father. This revelation not only increased our support for Macrinus but also enriched the original narrative of Gladiator.

Emperor Commodus Was Whiny and Annoying in ‘Gladiator’

Before tearing Emperor Commodus apart as a villain, it should first be said that Joaquin Phoenix’s performance in Gladiator was excellent. He perfectly embodied a spoiled, jealous Emperor who had zero qualms about murdering children and had a strange obsession with his sister. But, as a character, Commodus was irritating to watch. The character was intentionally incompetent to act as a stark juxtaposition to the composed and intelligent Maximus, whom Marcus Aurelias had originally chosen as the next regent of the Roman Republic.

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2024-12-01 01:33