Ridley Scott's "Gladiator 2" has hit theaters, and it's already being hailed as the director's best work since "The Martian." This time, Paul Mescal takes center stage as the son of the rebellious hero portrayed by Russell Crowe in the original film. "Lenta.ru" shares insights into how this continuation of the legendary story about the morals of the Roman Empire turned out.
Sixteen years after the death of the philosopher-emperor Marcus Aurelius, his dream of restoring Rome to republican governance remains unfulfilled. The throne is occupied by the twin brothers Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), who continue to pacify the populace with bread and circuses. While the capital hosts increasingly elaborate gladiatorial games, the army expands the empire's borders in distant territories. General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) conquers the African province of Numidia. Captured during this campaign is Hanno (Paul Mescal) — a brave warrior who has become a widower due to the Romans' atrocities. On the slave market, Hanno is purchased by Macrin (Denzel Washington), who supplies gladiators for the battles in the Colosseum. Soon after Hanno's arrival in Rome, it is revealed that he is actually Lucius, the son of Marcus Aurelius's daughter Lucilla (Connie Nielsen) and the late general and gladiator Maximus (Russell Crowe appears in flashbacks from the first film).
- Release Date: November 23
- Country: United Kingdom, USA
- Duration: 2 hours 28 minutes
- Director: Ridley Scott
- Cast: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Denzel Washington, Connie Nielsen, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger
Even Clint Eastwood couldn't boast the level of productivity that Ridley Scott has achieved in recent years at the age of 86. Just a year ago, he released "Napoleon," and now it's time for "Gladiator 2" — a film that is at least as grand in terms of production. It features a battle rhinoceros, signature fire catapults (remembered from the first film), a water battle in the Colosseum amphitheater, and much more. The concept of a film about Marcus Aurelius's grandson Lucius emerged in Scott's mind at the beginning of the millennium, after which the project was shelved. Now, the director demonstrates that he is quite capable of reviving old ideas. Furthermore, in the nearly quarter-century since the triumph of "Gladiator," Scott's thoughts have become clearer, sharper, and more relevant.
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Sir Ridley has clearly taken into account his experience from another major return — to the "Alien" universe with "Prometheus" and "Covenant." Attempting to reshape the mythology of his own franchise, the director faced misunderstanding from fans. Audiences clearly expected technological freshness while maintaining the core canon, but Scott found repetition uninteresting, leading to a cold reception for the new films. However, today they are viewed as even better than at the time of their release. The connection between the "Alien" and "Gladiator" universes (possibly unintentionally) is marked by the bifurcating letter "I" in the credits — almost reminiscent of the classic opening of the first film about Ellen Ripley.
Nevertheless, "Gladiator 2" formally resembles a self-remake, crafted with the wishes of its esteemed audience in mind.
Here, the plot is similar, the setting almost the same, and even a couple of secondary actors from the first film return (besides Nielsen, Derek Jacobi reprises his role as Senator Gracchus). Scott isn't shy about direct parallels: capture, training fights, sentimental conversations in dimly lit chambers. However, Lucius does not repeat Maximus's story, even though he begins from almost the same starting point.
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In the first "Gladiator," the tale of honor and revenge overshadowed important reflections on the transformation of the empire into a republic. Marcus Aurelius passed the throne to Maximus not for abstract virtues and nobility, but for the transition of power from the Caesar to the Senate. The bloody reprisal against his wife and son, carried out by Commodus, however, shattered Russell Crowe's character. When he first stepped onto the Colosseum arena, he no longer dreamed of a republic but of death — for himself and the traitor Commodus. Lucius also has personal motives, but the unfolding events compel him to take on much more. This is primarily linked to the increasingly sophisticated court intrigues. It's not just about the bloodthirsty Beavis and Butt-Head dividing power, but also the gray cardinal Macrin. Denzel Washington's role here is undoubtedly a highlight of the film: the great actor virtually steals the show from the main characters. It's quite likely that the cunning Macrin will earn Denzel his third Oscar.
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If we continue discussing parallels, Scott references the collisions of "Hamlet" as much as he does the fate of General Maximus. Lucius captures the audience's attention not only through his bravery, perfection, and physical prowess but also through the internal contradictions that are only hinted at on screen. Thus, Mescal's character emerges with the potential for complexity, a split personality. It's no coincidence that Scott chose Paul for this role without auditions, having seen him in the series "Normal People," where the actor worked in a psychological rather than a poster-like manner.
Shortly before the premiere, Scott stated that he is so confident in the success of "Gladiator 2" that he has already begun working on the script for a third film. He envisions the continuation in the spirit of "The Godfather Part II" — one of the best films not only about the mafia but also about moral decay.
All these nuances exist as the second and third layers of the film, which critics are calling Scott's best work since "The Martian." On the surface, the second "Gladiator" is a prime example of a booming blockbuster, crafted with a vigor that belies veteran status. Scott masterfully manages the viewer's attention, maintains a brisk tempo, and deliberately fills the frame with anachronisms. Complaining about historical accuracy here is even more pointless than in the case of "Napoleon." Stylistically, "Gladiator 2" is not a peplum but a boulevard novel in pseudo-antique settings. The characters read newspapers, meet in cafes, and drink from glass cups produced in factories.
Materials on the topic:It is clear that this is not a coincidence but a deliberate part of the late Ridley Scott's aesthetic. His best films have always incorporated elements of myth and legend — it's no accident that one of the master's early films was titled as such. By this point, his creative method has crystallized, and the author has no reason to pay any mind to criticism.
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Like "Napoleon" or "House of Gucci," "Gladiator 2" is a "tale-lie-with-a-hint" from a cantankerous patriarch whose life experience and gray hair grant him the right to speak plainly. In this case, he cleverly utilizes current narratives — from the rise to power of an outcast to military campaigns in Africa. However, Scott does not descend into journalism, remaining a first-class storyteller who still has no shortage of plots and ideas.
The film "Gladiator 2" (Gladiator II) is now available in theaters.