Gladiator II

" Almost as good as the original until it gets a bit goofy towards the end."

"I really liked this film! As someone who really disliked the first film, this was a massive improvement for me. A very solid follow up that continues the story of Lucius (the young boy from the first film) who ends up following a similar path to Maximus in terms of becoming a gladiator. Phenomenal costume and production design paired with improved cinematography and VFX (2 aspects I intensely disliked from the first film). Paul Mescal does a decent job as the grown up Lucius, while Denzel Washington is easily the film’s MVP (chews the scenery with glimmers of TRAINING DAY present) followed closely by Connie Nielsen (who serves as the film’s heart) (both of them deserve to be nominated for this IMO). Ridley Scott also deserves praise for his stamina and making a film of such an epic scale at age 86. Worth a watch. Fun fact: If Denzel Washington gets nominated, it’ll be his 10th acting Oscar nomination, tying him with Sir Laurence Olivier as the 2nd most nominated male actor ever and putting him only behind 12-time nominee Jack Nicholson. Would be cool to see him join their ranks."

"Once I was able to suspend my disbelief and throw out any historical accuracy, I was able to love this for its action, gore, and cast. It's your average masculine flick- awesome speeches to rally the troops, a muscular MC with incredible plot armor, politics & royalty, a plot for revolution, lots of bloodshed, and sharks. It's awesome, as long as that's the kind of thing you're into. At first glance, I thought, "hey at least there's some beautiful men and cool fight scenes." (This is correct). Near the end I thought, "yeah, I got what I paid for in sheer carnage and cute men so, I'm good." Enjoy it if you can, but know it's not going to fill the hole that the 2000's iconic gladiator age did, nor will it convince you to love it if you don't already love masculine plotlines"

"First take: Boring next-generation reboot with a powerful last scene. While the two emporers played devious well, Denzel The Great was grossly miscast imo and the chemistry between actors just wasn't there."

"You could have totally deleted a named character, who is connected to the main character, and whatever mention of them, and it would have STILL been the same movie lmao"

"Follows the plot of Gladiator a little too closely."

"i’m providing a spit-jar for the amount of spit the characters spat through this movie. it’s good tho. "

"Gladiator II was just fine, not good, not bad, but just fine. There were things i loved and elements that took me out of the movie. The cinematography was spectacular, especially when it came to the action sequences. The cast was solid, but Denzel Washington stole the show. My biggest gripes were the writing and the pacing of the movie. I felt they tried to recapture the greatness of the first film and ended up falling flat. Also, the story was stretched too thin, and the dialogue fell flat in the 3rd act. The 2 and 1/2 hr run time in this movie felt longer than in the original. Overall, this sequel had some really big shoes to fill, and in the end, I felt only one shoe was filled, while the other shoe wasn't. "

"I am a big fan of the original and I have to say I love the second just as much!!! All action from beginning to end. (ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED) "

"Gladiator II, directed by Ridley Scott, revisits the grandeur of ancient Rome, delivering a spectacle that both honors and expands upon its predecessor. Set 16 years after the original, the film follows Lucius (Paul Mescal), the son of Maximus and Lucilla, as he seeks vengeance against the Roman general Acacius (Pedro Pascal) following the conquest of his homeland. Paul Mescal embodies Lucius with a compelling mix of determination and vulnerability, effectively capturing the character's evolution from a grieving son to a formidable gladiator. Pedro Pascal's portrayal of Acacius adds depth to the antagonist, presenting a complex figure whose motivations extend beyond mere villainy. However, it is Denzel Washington's performance as Macrinus, a former slave turned influential power broker, that truly stands out. Washington infuses the role with charisma and cunning, delivering a performance that is both commanding and nuanced. The film excels in its action sequences, offering intense and meticulously choreographed battles that are both thrilling and visually stunning. Scott's direction ensures that each scene is imbued with a sense of scale and authenticity, immersing the audience in the brutal world of gladiatorial combat. The production design and cinematography further enhance this immersion, recreating ancient Rome with impressive detail and grandeur. Despite these strengths, Gladiator II has faced criticism for its historical inaccuracies and reliance on spectacle over substance. Some critics have pointed out anachronistic elements, such as the use of printed newspapers and modern battle techniques, which detract from the film's authenticity. Additionally, while the narrative is engaging, it closely mirrors the structure of the original, leading to a sense of predictability. Gladiator II offers a visually spectacular and action-packed continuation of the original story. "