Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Thelma & Louise, Black Hawk Down) directs this sword-and-sandal sequel to his Oscar-winning Gladiator (2000) set 16 years later. The sequel tells the story of Marcus Aurelius’ grandson, Lucius Verus (Paul Mescal), who for his safety was sent away from Rome as a child after Aurelius’ death. Now an adult, he’s the true heir to the Roman throne but living in North Africa under the alias Hanno when the Roman army led by General Acacius (Pedro Pascal) attacks, taking him prisoner and returning him to Rome as a spoil of war, completely unaware of his identity. He’s bought and trained as a gladiator by powerbroker Macrinus (Denzel Washington), where he’s forced to fight in the Colosseum for the pleasure of Rome’s corrupt twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracalla (Fred Hechinger), whose rule has brought the empire to the precipice of revolt. Soon Lucius’ mother, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), now married to General Acacius, discovers her son has returned. (148 min.)
Glen: There’s a lot of spinning wheels in this story, but its plot is like the original. Rome is ruled by sadistic, unworthy tyrants. An underdog rises to lead the people to freedom. It’s basically Spartacus (1960), but what makes this film worth the price of admission is its batshit-crazy special effects, like an early scene when Lucius and some other slaves fight off CGI baboons, or when the Colosseum is flooded to re-create a naval battle in shark-infested waters. It’s absolutely bonkers and totally fun. It’s also gory as heck, dialing up the blood and camp of the original. Mescal has a very classic Roman look and holds his own, but the real scenery-chewer is Washington, who’s so conniving and duplicitous and manipulative that it’s clearly a character Washington loved to play. Nielsen is also terrific as one of the only returning characters from the original. She exudes nobility. I doubt Ridley’s going to repeat a Best Picture win with this sequel, but as a piece of entertainment, it’s terrific.
Anna: It definitely feels like it parallels the storyline of the first film closely, though it has been years since I’ve watched the original, so perhaps there’s more divergence than I’m recalling. The casting here is key. The “barbarian hero” Hanno needs to be steadfast and sympathetic, which Mescal owns handily. Macrinus must be cunning and vile, and Washington’s measured performance conveys just that. While the film relies very much on the special effects, there’s enough story here to provide entertainment beyond just the pop of big set pieces. The two emperors are nepo baby nightmares, one of which, Caracalla, suffers from a venereal disease that has infected his brain. It’s all madness, but it proves fun to watch. There’s no doubt this film is made for the big screen, so that’s where to watch it.
Glen: Both Quinn and Hechinger are fantastic as the emperors. They’re loathsome to the core and deserve what’s coming to them. The emotional center of the story is Lucilla’s guilt over sending Lucius away, her desire to reunite with him, and his seething anger at her for making him go as a child. This is a savior story, and Lucius has the strength to inspire the Roman people because of his youthful hardships. His character was forged by his unconventional upbringing. If he’d remained in Rome, he’d have been spoiled and weak. Instead, his inner rage gives him the power to overcome. If you don’t expect it to eclipse the original and you like adventure stories, this hits the spot.
Anna: This sequel is definitely best treated as its own film and not in comparison to the first. The storyline leads us to some spectacular battle scenes, and Lucius is a worthy hero. While it may rely on the spectacle of it all to carry it along, the spectacle is plenty of fun to watch.
New Times Senior Staff Writer Glen Starkey and freelancer Anna Starkey write Sun Screen. Comment at gstarkey@newtimesslo.com.
This article appears in Dec 5-15, 2024.