Gladiator II Movie Review

“Gladiator II” is, at its heart, a sequel to the movie “Gladiator” (2000). But taking a few characters from the first movie and building a new framework that equals the grandeur of Ancient Rome — this movie steps into that familiar arena. There it asks the audience: “Are you not entertained?” The answer is — Oh, Yeah!

At the end of “Gladiator”, the Emperor is dead. The great general who fought him is Maximus, and he is dead. The sister of the Emperor is Lucilla (played by Connie Nielsen). Her son is the only remaining male in the bloodline of Aurieus. She must send the twelve-year old boy away for his own safety. He winds up in the African coastal town of Numidia.

Lucius Verus (played by Paul Mescal) is the grown up son and heir to the Roman Empire. Hiding his true name and his origins, he has lived for 16 years in the fortress city. With an assumed name, he has married and become a leader of the militia. He has a wife and a young child. The expanding Roman forces have come again to conquer.

A large Roman fleet of ship has come to take the land and the people of Numidia. The person in charge of the ruthless Roman forces is a man named General Marcus Acacius (played by Pedro Pascal). He leads the forces and crushes the locals. Lucius sees his wife killed by Acacius. He vows to take vengeance on the General. But for now, Lucius is taken prisoner.

Lucius does not know it, but Marcus Acacius has married Lucilla. She has not seen nor heard from her son for all these years. And now Lucius wants nothing more than to see this man, Acacius, wind up dead. He does not know that Acacius is actually now his step-father. Now that will be an awkward holiday get-together.

Lucius is sold into a band of slave-bound gladiators. This happy travelling troupe is led by Macrinus (played by Denzel Washington). He is power-driven former slave turned gladiator who earned his freedom. He is now in charge of the largest group of arena fighters in the Empire. This has earned him much riches and honor. But what he craves is power, and that is found in Rome.

Lucius fights to the death in the arena, facing all manner of foes. He even faces off against a mad baboon. He has pent-up rage and fury, all aimed at his end goal: killing General Acacius. Macrinus talks to Lucius and promises him that he can arrange anything that he would like. He will set up combat in the great city of Rome, so that Lucius can become closer to his enemy. All Lucius has to do is fight, and win (and not die). All of this gives Macrinus greater wealth and glory.

The great city of Rome is now in decline. The events over the years have led to two new twin brother Emperors. There is Emperor Caracalla (played by Fred Hechinger). He is a sick and twisted individual, with a diseased body to match his diseased mind. His best friend is his pet monkey. His brother is Emperor Geta (played by Joseph Quinn). He is only slightly more stable than Caracalla, and together they rule as a pair of petulant children.

General Marcus Acacius has returned to Rome as a hero. All he wants to do is retire and spend his time with his wife Lucilla. But the Co-Emperors have other plans for him. They want the Power of Rome to lay siege to other parts of the world. Regardless of the cost in blood and treasure, these leaders of Rome need to increase the territory and get more of everything.

The Roman Senate is mostly ignored by the Emperor brothers. One of the Senators, named Gracchus (played by Derek Jacobi) can see the decline and corruption once again. Gracchus was there before, during the rule of a former despot (back in the first movie “Gladiator”). Lucilla and Gracchus have a few people who believe that for the good of Rome, the current despots must be removed. Marcus Acacius is also convinced, but they have limited power.

But to celebrate General Acacius and his victory, the Emperor twins decide to have new Gladiator Games. This brings the cunning and conniving Macrinus to Rome. He brings his most treasured gladiator fighter — Lucius. The Games are held in the Coliseum, to bloody and gory delight of the common citizens. Others who equally impressed are the brothers: Emperor Geta and Emperor Caracalla.

Lucilla sees the mighty gladiator fight, and she has thoughts of a former gladiator that she knew. Lucius has the movements and the instincts of the gladiator from years ago — Maximus. What Lucius does not know that that former great gladiator was also his father. Macrinus is more than willing to get involved with the former royal bloodline of the past Roman Empire. He sees it as a way for him to worm into a position of greater power.

Lucius wants nothing to do with Lucilla. He wants nothing to do with the restoration of Rome. All he wants is revenge. But things work out that political forces have taken away his blood lust against General Acacius. The Emperor Twins are now primed for the sights of Lucius.

But unknown to anyone else involved, the sneaky-yet-convincing Macrinus has become part of the Emperors inner circle. But his goals for Power have two roadblocks. One is named Geta, and the other is named Caracalla. So, more backroom deals are made and more blood is spilled. Not all of that blood is on the sand in the Coliseum.

‘Oceans rise, Empires fall’, as the song goes. There are more Gladiator Games to fight, but behind it all there is a quiet coup going on. The man who came back from exile, who came back into his City of Rome – Lucius is called on to bring the people out of the darkness.

“Gladiator II” is the one of the rare sequel movies directed by Ridley Scott. But for this installment, he aims for Bigger, Better, Bolder. He pretty much nails it on all accounts. The action sequences are fantastic, and the fights in the arena are spectacular. There is even one that recreates a Naval Battle – in the Coliseum.

The acting is great all around, with one particular stand-out. Paul Mescal (Luciaus) and Pedro Pascal (Acacius) are both fierce fighting machines, but would like it better to live in peace. The Twin Emperors — Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger – bring an opulent madness to the movie.

But the best Machiavellian performance is from Denzel Washington (Macrinus). He plays this slimy character with a nervous energy that is astounding. Playing a power-mad sociopath, Macrinus is not afraid to get his hands dirty, or bloody. Macrinus can always point the finger at someone else.

The production design and sound are at peak level, as well as the visual view of the movie. If this movie lacks anything, it is in the soundtrack. The music is from Harry Gregson-Williams, and it is strong. But the first movie had the iconic melodies from Hans Zimmer. He chose not to return, and that is one weakness.

“Gladiator II” will make sure you are entertained. But in honor of “Spinal Tap”, Denzel Washington plays his role of Macrinus with everything ‘turned up to XI’…