Dust, blood and betrayal fill the air as a new legendary story hits the screen: Gladiator II. This intense sequel, released on Nov. 22, is a bold continuation of the 2000 origin film, Gladiator. This movie roars to life with the same fury and spectacle of the original, but with a fresh twist on vengeance and legacy.
In the original Gladiator film, ancient Roman general Maximus is sentenced to death, only escaping his fate after being captured as a slave and forced to be a gladiator. The emperor, Marcus Aurelius, entrusts his plan of restoring the power to the Roman people from the Republic to Maximus, hoping he will help him execute it. However, his plans are cut short when his son, Commodus, murders him in order to ascend to the throne. To carry on the wishes of the late emperor, Maximus fights for the integrity of Rome, determined to undermine the empire’s longstanding corruption. The last words spoken before Maximus’ death are of his illegitimate son, Lucius, the prince of Rome, to Lucius’ mother, Lucilla.
While the first film did not focus much on Lucius’ involvement in Rome, the second movie focuses entirely on his character sixteen years after Maximus’ death. Now an adult, Lucius lives under the alias of “Hanno” in the North African kingdom of Numidia with his wife. However, when the Romans attack, tragedy strikes Lucius’ life, and he is forced into a similar fate to his father.
With a star-studded cast, the performances given by each actor were worthy of five stars on their own. Pedro Pascal, who plays the role of General Acacius, brought a significant portion of the serious tone to the film, with his character being dedicated to the goodwill of Rome. Paul Mescal, who plays Lucius, gave a stunningly emotional and raw execution of his character, diving deep into the inner psyche of Lucius. As the film’s plot hurled challenges towards Mescal’s character, he wore his emotions on his sleeve, a feat not consistently displayed in Gladiator.
As Lucius continues to persevere through the challenges he faces in the Colosseum, Lucilla recognizes him as her son, evoking emotional scenes that strongly convey one of the deepest and hidden morals of the film: there is nothing stronger than a mother’s love. Connie Nielson’s resilient portrayal of an aged Lucilla paired with the vengeful display of personality from Mescal as Lucius work in perfect harmony to create a beautifully-performed relationship that reaches deep into the heart.
Gladiator II does not hold back on the brutality of the battles of the time. Utilizing ancient weapons, such as catapults, swords and arrows, the unfiltered viciousness and barbarity of the violence is put on full display, emphasizing the terrors each character must face. Such a clear depiction of the bloody battles was one of the most intriguing aspects of the film, placing the audience in the intense mindset of the film.
After Lucius is deemed one of the best gladiators, he learns more about Maximus and his legacy of bravery from his fellow gladiators. Lucius is inspired by Maximus’ bravery and remembers the Rome his grandfather, Marcus Aurelius, envisioned: one that would bring peace back to the empire. It is only then that Lucius realizes his full potential and follows in his father’s footsteps to save Rome from tyranny.
While the film did portray the intense violence and gore at the height of the Roman Empire’s brutality, the ever-changing political landscape was also explored in depth, even more than in the first installment. As the emperorship is split between twin brothers Geta and Caracalla, played by Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger, familial dynamics are highlighted to a further extent as a contributing factor to the downfall of power. While the brothers continue to sneak behind each other as they each vie for more control, they unknowingly undo themselves as well, illustrating the strong truth behind the dangers of power-based greed.
As 2024 comes to a close, it is without difficulty that I come to the conclusion that Gladiator II is one of the best films of the year. It is one of the most passion-motivated stories out there and a rare, well-rounded film that entices audiences with every second. Filled with exhilarating action, this deeply raw portrayal of a young man’s story is filled with beautiful cinematography, juxtaposing its callous characters and plot. Gladiator II does the original film due justice, while also adding its own spin that will define it as a monumental tale for years to come.
