Gladiator II (2024)

Top comments

1. 

   Siskoid

   I would have been fine with Gladiator II being just another gladiator story, unconnected to the events of the original, but Ridley Scott's new sword & sandals spectacular is actually set 16 years later, and involves a couple of surviving characters from 2000's Gladiator. That does sort of deflate whatever victory is eked out of the first story, or pushes it back to the end of this one. But without Russell Crowe (Paul Mescal isn't quite on the same level) and Joaquin Phoenix (the decadent twin emperors are rather thinly developed), the film doesn't quite achieve the same heights. What it is, however, is a rousing action picture, with lots of cool fights and Ridley's usual attention to detail. What's changed, mostly, is that now Ridley can use CG animals as part of the action and there are lots. I think the first shot is actually a brilliant adaptation of some of the iconic moments of the first film, and Denzel Washington, in the Oliver Reed role, as it were, is a brilliant villain. I wanted to shout "Are you not entertained?!" at patrons leaving the theater to go to the bathroom, because I was. That's all that was really required here. 1 month 2 weeks ago
2. 

   MrDoog

   Wasn't expecting much but holy fuck this was some pile of shit.
   
   Literally not one good character in this thing. The role didn't suit Mescal, Denzel was completely over the top, Pascal brought nothing and i'm sick of seeing him in practically everything these days but worst of all were the Emperors, written to be absolutely braindead and their acting wasn't much better.
   
   There's just so many things wrong with this movie, what a letdown 3 weeks 5 days ago
3. 

   Earring72

   Totally unnecessary but ok sequel. Washington is great, has some exciting action scenes and it's fun to see Conny Nielsen again. But overall just ok and not close to the original. 1 month 3 weeks ago

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