The original “Gladiator” movie was released in 2000 and was widely enjoyed, which made the sequel highly anticipated. After nearly 25 years, “Gladiator II” was released into theaters. This movie did a wonderful job continuing the storyline of the first while also building a unique and interesting plot of its own. The movie takes place years after the events of the first, it follows the story of a new lead Lucius (Paul Mescal) as his home gets conquered by Rome and he is taken and forced into the Colosseum while he looks to his past and wishes to restore Rome to what it once was.
Paul Mescal does a wonderful job of portraying the emotion and mindset of his character. His performance as Lucius is engaging and it leaves you captivated on what his fate will be. Mescal’s acting makes you care for the character of Lucius and what he is going through. The supporting cast also does an amazing job bringing the story to life. Denzel Washington (Marcinus), Pedro Pascal (General Acacius), Connie Nielson (Lucilla), Joseph Quinn (Emperor Geta) and Fred Hechinger (Emperor Caracalla) all give amazing performances that really tie in the story and make it what it is. Their acting almost gives you an emotional connection to the characters that makes you either dislike their character or root for them the entire movie. Their performances really show the mindset and emotion of their characters to the point you can’t separate the actor from the character while watching.
The set design and costume design really throw you into the time period. Everything works together to create the perfect film environment that is pleasing to look at. The cinematography is beautifully used to convey emotions and makes some scenes feel more action-packed and dramatic. Mixed with the score, it creates beautiful and emotional scenes along with action and battle sequences.
Even if you didn’t enjoy the original “Gladiator” movie, or you just haven’t seen it, “Gladiator II” is still an amazing watch. It’s a nearly perfect sequel for nonfans and fans alike. With amazing characters, good visuals and action packed sequences, “Gladiator II” is a must watch.