Gladiator II 2024
There isn't a lot a director can do with a gladiator movie. The whole thing of having slaves fight to the death doesn't have an upside. And by extension if the audience enjoys this kind of thing, then it makes them part of the blood thirsty audiencies that supported these atrocities in the first place. I still remember enjoying the first Gladiator despite all of that, but I think it was a better story. It seems like this movie wants us to pull for this guy just because he is a gladiator without knowing his full backstory. It doesn't help that Paul Mescal can't carry a movie like Russell Crowe could. There are some tie-ins to the first movie, but not that much. Instead there is a new cast of bad guys, who don't get a lot of development, even Denzel Washington's character as a power hungry gladiator manager. Plus there is a significant amount of gore, including a few beheadings. None of this really grabbed me. When I thought the movie was over, there was still another 45 minutes to go. The movie still looks good and will keep you intention. Characters aren't necessarily developed, but they are colorful at least. I could probably give a lower grade, but B- seems negative enough.
Written: 10 Dec 2024