As a die-hard fan of the original Gladiator movie, I have to say that watching its sequel left me feeling rather disappointed, much like Brutus did when he was betrayed by Cassius. Now, don’t get me wrong – I appreciate Ridley Scott’s efforts in reviving this epic saga. However, it seemed as though they forgot about the very essence of what made Gladiator great: its characters and their captivating stories.
After long anticipation, I finally caught Gladiator II in theatres last week, and let me tell you, it was an absolute blast! However, there’s one significant issue I felt compelled to address:
Allow me to clarify that I had the chance to watch this film several weeks before its release. It was nothing short of spectacular, as I experienced it in an IMAX pre-screening. The scale and grandeur of this motion picture were truly a sight to behold on the large screen. In keeping with the 2024 cinematic calendar’s ambition, it successfully delivered an epic film that served as a fitting conclusion for the year.
But there’s just one little thing I have to talk about: one character’s misuse that makes me a little perplexed as to why they were even there in the first place. And that’s what we’re going to get into now.
Big spoilers ahead if you haven’t seen Gladiator 2 yet!
Overall, Gladiator II Had Everything I Was Looking For
I want to start this by saying that I didn’t hate the film. I thought it was fun.
Check out this fascinating fact: The initial Gladiator movie is an absolute timeless masterpiece. There are countless intriguing behind-the-scenes stories from Gladiator that I simply adore discussing. Remarkably, some individuals have just recently seen the first Gladiator film for the first time, but I’ve been a dedicated fan for quite a while.
Upon learning that another Gladiator movie was in the works, I couldn’t predict just how impressive it would turn out. More often than not, sequels to iconic movies struggle to meet expectations. It’s rare to find one that successfully encapsulates the spirit of the original while also improving upon it.
In a more relaxed style, here’s how I would rephrase your text:
Denzel Was A Standout, But Paul Mescal Was A Good Leading Choice
It seems like everybody, including their moms, can’t stop discussing how Denzel Washington stole the show in this movie, and I couldn’t agree more. However, that’s a problematic statement to make.
As a die-hard fan, let me express my thoughts on Gladiator II’s marketing strategy: While I don’t necessarily have a problem with the main character, I must acknowledge that the team behind the scenes made some intriguing decisions regarding the film’s promotions. Paul Mescal was indeed an impressive leading choice and carried the role admirably, but it’s Denzel who has been captivating audiences and seems poised to receive an Academy Award nomination. He truly stole the show!
However, unlike several other leading actors in this movie, his character wasn’t promoted extensively. This lack of focus made many viewers feel that the characters were underdeveloped or easily forgotten, which was a significant problem for me.
I’m Disappointed In The Lack Of Connie Nielsen
Among a small group of characters from the initial movie, Connie Nielsen was one of those who reprised their roles in the cast for “Gladiator 2”. However, I found it deeply unfortunate that her character wasn’t developed more extensively.
It’s predictable that folks would acknowledge her substantial contribution to the movie given her considerable screen time. However, for me, her presence didn’t seem sufficient due to the impression that she was primarily included to flesh out Lucius’ background and transformation into a warrior.
If this Gladiator movie were set in another universe or had a different genre, I might have found it acceptable. However, the original film’s central character, Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, was profoundly significant. She was a key element of the story, with her complex relationship with Commodus and her forbidden love for Maximus adding an intriguing dynamic to the plot.
Now, Lucius has returned, and we discover that he’s Maximus’ son, while Lucilla’s power has waned. She’s now attempting to reclaim Rome from the two corrupt emperors who seized control. However, her efforts to outmaneuver them in a power play ultimately prove futile. Betrayal looms as she and her husband fall victim to it. In essence, that’s about it.
As for another point, it’s unclear how she and Acacius became a couple. We only know that they got married after Lucilla sent Lucius away, but the details of their meeting, duration of their relationship, attempts to have more children, and other aspects of their story remain unknown. Regrettably, both characters meet unfortunate ends, leaving us with little insight into their relationship beyond their marriage.
It’s odd, almost as if Lucilla were an actor in the movie, but she wasn’t. Instead, her presence seemed more like a plot device for Lucius, and I didn’t find it particularly engaging.
Her Character’s Demise Felt Lackluster and Heartless
Another issue is her death.
Before anyone starts speaking – just to clarify, I have absolutely no problem with her passing away. In fact, as a dedicated TV enthusiast, I’m accustomed to characters meeting their ends for the sake of the plot and advancing the story. The number of heartrending deaths in “The Walking Dead” that I’ve had to endure for the sake of the narrative is quite substantial.
From my perspective as a passionate observer, what I’m getting at is this: While taking lives is undeniably a part of the scenario, it needs to resonate deeply. It should leave an indelible mark, and unfortunately, it seemed to lack that profound significance.
The film employs the well-known approach of “demonstrating rather than explaining” for Lucilla’s character. It encourages viewers to visualize her past experiences during those sixteen years, empathize with her hardships, and experience a tender moment (that seemed somewhat insincere) between her and her son when they share a brief makeup scene.
Indeed, his reaction left me puzzled. It seemed as though, one instant Lucius was angrily ordering Lucilla to depart, and the next they were embracing, as though no time had passed since their last tranquil moment. His heartbreak upon her being mortally wounded in the heart was profound, almost as if the past sixteen years hadn’t transpired at all.
From a spectator’s perspective, there wasn’t enough development showing these two characters reconciling and overcoming their past grievances for this death to carry significant emotional weight. The only apparent symbolism is the fact that she was shot in the same location as Lucius’ wife – the heart. However, it’s intended to convey more depth because she is his mother, who had gone to great lengths to safeguard him and care for him deeply.
However, it lacks the same emotional impact. Although the potential for a powerful emotional response was there, the insufficient growth in their relationship and the absence of chemistry makes it seem as though nothing significant occurred.
The Ending Was Fine, But There Could Have Been More Done
The conclusion of Gladiator II is satisfactory. It’s more or less a standard bittersweet ending where the heroes prevail, albeit at a great cost. We witness Lucius mourning his mother and father within the Colosseum, yet the storyline simply wraps up thereafter.
And it’s just not believable.
His victory is undeniable, but the emotions he harbors – they remain a mystery to me. He hardly knew his father beyond their childhood encounters, and held a deep resentment towards his mother until the final moments when, astonishingly, it seemed as though their past was forgotten, leaving him heart-stricken upon her death.
It seems the human mind can be puzzling and hard to comprehend at times, but what leaves me baffled as a viewer is how he can show such grief for them, given their long history of negativity. Maybe I’m insensitive; who knows? However, I believe that ending could have been more impactful if we had more time to delve deeper into the characters and their relationship.
Ridley Scott has been straightforward about the reason behind the delay in making this movie, but I believe it might have been beneficial to wait a few years. If you’re going to reintroduce characters from the initial film, then at least provide them with a more compelling narrative or extended screen time for their interactions so that their deaths carry weight and significance.
It’s uncertain if we’ll see a third installment of “Gladiator”. Denzel Washington is unlikely to be part of it, and Nielsen definitely won’t be either. All I can really wonder is whether there will be one, and if they introduce another character from this movie, I hope they make them more than just a one-dimensional figure. Ideally, they should have a compelling story that elevates them to legendary status, rather than merely serving as another character in someone else’s tale, like Lucilla did.
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2024-11-27 00:07