Gladiator II: The One Change That Could Have Made It a Classic Like the Original

by

The sequel to “Gladiator II” was a good movie, but it could have been even more impressive if it hadn’t aimed to tie in with Ridley Scott’s original. Originally released, the first “Gladiator” film is renowned for Russell Crowe’s remarkable and award-winning performance as Maximus Decimus Meridius. Since Maximus’ character was conclusively portrayed in the first movie, “Gladiator II” focuses on Paul Mescal as Lucius, who is Maximus’ son instead.

In the continuation of the epic saga, I found myself drawn into the world of “Gladiator II” alongside fresh personalities that greatly contributed to its compelling narrative. Living up to the legendary status of “Gladiator” was no easy feat, given its recognition as one of cinema’s most captivating tales. Yet, the early reviews for “Gladiator II” were predominantly favorable, suggesting that Ridley Scott largely succeeded in recapturing the essence of the original film.

However, some argue that the story would have been more effective as an entirely new creation. The ties to Maximus often distort the narrative flow, hinting at the potential for “Gladiator II” to thrive as a standalone tale.

Gladiator II Should’ve Been Its Own Original Story

Gladiator II Felt Uneven Due To Its Ties To Ridley Scott’s Original Film

Despite my enjoyment of “Gladiator II”, the connection to the original movie sometimes felt fragmented. The key issue here was Lucius’ family ties, and the narrative could have been more cohesive if he weren’t related to Maximus Decimus Meridius from the first “Gladiator”. It’s plausible that “Gladiator II” would have conveyed a much stronger impact had Lucius just been an admirer of Russell Crowe’s Gladiator. In the initial movie, we witness how deeply the young boy idolized Maximus. The emperor’s ruthless killing of him would have left a lasting impression on Lucius, given his tender age at that time.

It’s quite expected that Lucius would cherish his memories of Maximus, and the second Gladiator film could have continued the central theme of “our actions in life resound through eternity.” Instead of focusing on Lucius’ ancestry, Gladiator II might have delved deeper into a more complex Roman character, driven by particular injustices, with Maximus serving as his guiding inspiration. The characters in Gladiator II, such as Pedro Pascal’s Acacius and Denzel Washington’s Macrinus, were exceptionally well-rounded, to the point that the film didn’t need to lean heavily on connections to the first movie. Their tales were captivating enough for Gladiator II to stand independently as a story.

The Connections To Gladiator Felt Forced At Times

The Connections To Maximus In Gladiator II Ultimately Weakened The Film

In “Gladiator II,” the inclusion of Maximus seemed disjointed and appeared to be primarily for sentimental reasons, as it referenced Lucius’ relationship with Maximus and drew upon elements from the original film. However, the portrayal failed to explore the significance of Maximus in his son’s life or provide insight into how he might influence him during his journey, making his presence seem arbitrary.

In many instances, we are familiar with Maximus’ armor and his famous sayings, yet the movie doesn’t delve deeper into their symbolism beyond this point. Personally, I find the main character’s motivations to be a notable flaw in Gladiator II, as it seems like his lineage is contrivedly sustaining his entire narrative. To my perspective, Lucius’ tale didn’t necessarily require Maximus, and could have been more emotionally resonant if it emphasized the presence of Lucilla and the characters introduced in Gladiator II, rather than focusing on a figure from the past who hasn’t graced our screens for 25 years.

Film Year Production Budget Box Office (Worldwide) Critic Rating (RT) Audience Rating (RT)
Gladiator 2000 $103 million $465 million 80% 87%
Gladiator II 2024 $250 million $460 million 70% 82%

In addition, it was clear even before the release of Gladiator II that Lucius was Maximus’ son, thanks to the trailers and subsequent interviews with the cast discussing their relationship. However, when the film finally unveiled this fact, it felt anticlimactic and unnecessary, as the audience had already been informed. This twist left a strange impression on viewers, and many found themselves supporting Acacius instead, whose motivations were gradually unfolded and proved far more captivating. Despite Lucius’ numerous speeches and seemingly empowering scenes in Gladiator II, they ultimately fell flat and failed to establish his credibility as a leader.

Read More

2025-05-29 02:08