With anticipation and dread, Ridley Scott returned to “Gladiator” after 24 years. So can the Oscar-winning first sequel live up to its predecessor? Sadly, “Gladiator 2” falls short of exceeding expectations and makes the audience feel as though they never achieved their full potential.
It is about the nephew of Commodus (of the original film) Lucius, who must navigate the treacherous terrain of Roman politics and finds himself drawn into the gladiatorial world. The theory is good, but the execution is lacking in some major respects.
Where the Sword Falls Short
Audio & Sound: The visuals are spectacular in parts, but the editing is usually grating and abrupt. It lacks the epic feel and majesty of the original, but the lack of coherence makes it less than impactful. Not only that, but the score isn’t moving — an apparent hole in a film genre that normally needs music to lift feelings and build tension.
A Play Within Rome: script and dialogue are the sluttiest of failings. Even with the best talent in the cast, actors are always squished by thick scripts and weak motivations. The plot is rote and lacks the intensity and emotional drama of the predecessor.
Bad Casting Mistakes: Denzel Washington does a phenomenal job, showing us once again that he’s one hell of an actor. But the reintroduction of Connie Nielsen as Lucilla turns out to be a mismatch. Her rendition is rigid and abysmal, lacking the monarchic air she carried in the original. Further, she and Pedro Pascal’s romantic chemistry are neither believable nor convincing enough to salvage an important piece of the film.
I hate to say it, but did this even have to be made?
