Gladiator
2
delivers
an
epic
experience
that
may
not
replace
the
original
in
viewers’
hearts
but
certainly
earns
its
place
beside
it,
notes
Sonil
Dedhia.
It’s
been
more
than
20
years
since
Ridley
Scott
revisited
one
of
his
most
famous
creations,
a
beefy
warrior
in
sword-and-sandals
fighting
for
the
people.
Gladiator
2
always
seemed
like
the
film
that
would
never
happen,
until
that
first
trailer
dropped
a
few
months
ago
and
we
were
given
a
glimpse
of
a
kind
of
film
we
hadn’t
seen
in
a
long
time
—
something
away
from
the
superheroes
which,
I
believe,
most
of
us
are
now
bored
of.
And
that
really
was
just
a
glimpse
because
even
though
Gladiator
has
been
away
from
our
screens
since
2000,
Scott
had
something
special
hiding
up
his
sleeve
the
whole
time.
In
Gladiator
2,
Scott
revisits
the
blood-soaked
arenas
and
political
machinations
of
ancient
Rome,
delivering
a
follow-up
to
his
2000
masterpiece
that
attempts
to
capture
the
same
epic
intensity.
Known
for
its
thrilling
battles
and
emotional
gravitas,
Gladiator
became
a
cinematic
icon.
Gladiator
2
brings
audiences
back
into
that
brutal
world
with
high
expectations.
But
does
this
long-awaited
sequel
stand
on
its
own
or
does
it
simply
replay
familiar
notes
from
its
predecessor?
The
sequel
delivers
everything
fans
of
its
Oscar-winning
predecessor
could
hope
for,
with
brutal
spectacle,
intricate
period
details
and
intense,
carefully
choreographed
set
pieces
—
complete
with
battles,
swordplay,
bloodshed
and
all
the
intrigue
of
ancient
Rome.
Set
16
years
after
the
death
of
Maximus,
Gladiator
2
centres
on
a
new
protagonist,
a
young
man
named
Lucius
(Paul
Mescal).
Lucius,
the
son
of
Lucilla
and
nephew
of
the
despotic
Commodus,
was
only
a
boy
when
Maximus
fought
to
redeem
his
family’s
honour
and
topple
Rome’s
corrupt
leadership.
Lucius
resides
peacefully
with
his
family
in
Numidia
but
General
Marcus
Acacius’
(Pedro
Pascal)
invasion
of
the
city
forces
Lucius
into
slavery.
Inspired
by
Russell
Crowe’s
Maximus,
Lucius
decides
to
become
a
gladiator
for
a
powerbroker
named
Macrinu
(Denzel
Washington)
and
challenge
the
rule
of
Emperors
Caracalla
(Fred
Hechinger)
and
Geta
(Joseph
Quinn).
Haunted
by
memories
of
Maximus,
whom
he
saw
as
a
hero,
Lucius
finds
himself
drawn
into
a
quest
for
his
own
sense
of
justice
and
redemption.
This
story
of
a
young
man’s
coming-of-age,
set
against
the
grandeur
and
brutality
of
Rome,
brings
a
fresh
perspective
to
the
world
of
Gladiator.
Lucius
is
neither
soldier
nor
slave.
Rather,
he’s
a
man
torn
between
power
and
loyalty,
a
position
that
invites
him
to
walk
a
different
path
from
Maximus
while
navigating
the
moral
and
ethical
tensions
that
defined
the
original
film.
Scott’s
eye
for
sweeping
visuals
and
period
detail
is
on
full
display.
From
the
grandeur
of
Rome’s
architectural
splendour
to
the
dusty,
blood-soaked
arenas,
every
frame
feels
meticulously
crafted.
The
lavish
costumes,
intricate
sets
and
evocative
landscapes
immerse
us
in
the
period,
enhancing
the
epic
scale
and
authenticity
fans
of
the
original
will
appreciate.
The
action
sequences
are
no
less
impressive.
Just
like
the
first
instalment,
the
film-maker
captures
the
intensity
of
battle
with
visceral
detail,
using
close-up
shots
and
clever
editing
to
create
a
sense
of
immediacy.
This
time,
however,
the
fights
have
evolved.
They
are
more
brutal,
more
complex
and
filled
with
suspense.
Gladiators
wield
everything
from
traditional
swords
and
shields
to
unconventional
weapons
and
even
fight
with
baboons.
Scott
ups
the
ante
as
he
fills
the
Colosseum
with
shark-infested
water
for
a
fight.
Mescal
is
nothing
like
Crowe,
and
that
works
to
his
advantage,
making
Lucius
a
silent
yet
strangely
sardonic
character.
His
performance
is
nuanced,
bringing
a
fresh
complexity
to
the
world
of
Gladiator.
While
Maximus
was
a
straightforward
warrior
whose
motivations
were
clear,
Lucius
is
a
man
of
privilege
grappling
with
the
darker
sides
of
power.
His
journey
is
less
about
survival
and
more
about
finding
his
place
in
a
world
that
celebrates
violence
and
betrayal.
Mescal
embodies
Lucius
with
a
blend
of
vulnerability
and
determination,
giving
audiences
a
new
kind
of
hero
to
root
for
—
one
whose
battles
are
as
much
internal
as
they
are
external.
The
themes
in
Gladiator
2
echo
those
of
the
original
but
delve
deeper
into
the
question
of
legacy,
exploring
how
we
confront
the
deeds
of
those
who
came
before
us.
Lucius’
journey
is
both
a
tribute
to
Maximus’
sacrifice
and
an
exploration
of
whether
he
can
be
more
than
just
a
product
of
his
family’s
complicated
past.
This
internal
struggle
adds
a
fresh
layer
to
the
narrative,
bringing
out
new
facets
of
the
ancient
Roman
world.
The
supporting
cast
includes
Washington,
who
inherits
Oliver
Reed’s
role
and
shows
a
side
of
him
we’ve
never
seen
before,
cunning,
shrewd,
and
fascinating.
Joaquin
Phoenix’
Commodus
was
far
more
interesting
and
this
time,
it
is
split
into
two:
Co-emperors
Geta
(Joseph
Quinn)
and
Caracalla
(Fred
Hechinger)
whose
make-up
speak
more
than
the
acting.
Connie
Nielsen,
who
returns
to
play
Lucilla,
Lucius’
mother,
is
probably
the
only
female
character
in
the
film
who
plays
the
role
really
well.
While
Gladiator
2
brings
audiences
back
to
the
Rome
they
remember,
the
film
doesn’t
escape
the
familiar
pitfalls
of
sequels.
Some
moments
feel
like
echoes
of
the
original
rather
than
new
beats,
and
the
pacing
occasionally
drags
as
it
works
to
build
an
emotional
foundation
as
powerful
as
that
of
its
predecessor.
Certain
plot
points
feel
overly
reliant
on
nostalgia
which
may
appeal
to
fans
of
the
original
but
at
times
risks
overshadowing
Lucius’
journey
with
reminders
of
Maximus.
Gladiator
2
is
a
visually
striking,
emotionally
resonant,
film
that
pays
homage
to
the
original
while
bringing
new
ideas
to
the
arena.
With
Ridley
Scott’s
direction,
stellar
performances,
and
a
story
that
captures
the
tension
between
legacy
and
individuality,
Gladiator
2
is
a
worthy
successor
that,
despite
a
few
stumbles,
offers
fans
of
historical
epics
plenty
to
savour.
Whether
you’re
there
for
the
blood-pumping
battles,
the
political
intrigue,
or
the
journey
of
a
man
wrestling
with
his
family’s
legacy,
Gladiator
2
delivers
an
epic
experience
that
may
not
replace
the
original
in
viewers’
hearts
but
certainly
earns
its
place
beside
it.
Gladiator
2
Review
Rediff
Rating:
