Gladiator 2 (2024): Review and Summary
Like most sequels, decades separated from the first movie, “Gladiator 2” doesn’t justify its existence, though Denzel Washington does act as a silver lining.
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| Film Length | 2 Hours 28 Minutes |
| Release Date | November 22, 2024 |
| Advisory Rating | Rated R |
| Initially Available On/Via | Theatrical |
| Genre(s) | Action, Drama, Historical (Fiction) |
| Distributor | Paramount Pictures |
| Director | Ridley Scott |
| Writer | David Scarpa |
| Based On Work By | David Scarpa, Peter Craig, David Franzoni |
| Character Name | Actor |
| Lucius | Paul Mescal |
| Macrinus | Denzel Washington |
| Marcus Acacius | Pedro Pascal |
| Emperor Geta | Joseph Quinn |
| Emperor Caracalla | Fred Hechinger |
| Lucilla | Connie Nielsen |
Plot Summary
Lucius, who created a home and life in Africa, is taken to Rome after losing a battle and finds himself fighting for survival. He catches the eye of a man named Macrinus, who promises him the world in exchange for his strength. All Lucius wants is the opportunity to fight the general who destroyed his home—Marcus Acacius.
But to get to Marcus, Lucius must content himself with Macrinus, his vie for power under the reigns of Emperor Geta and Caracalla, and his past with a woman named Lucilla, daughter of the former ruler of Rome.
Character Descriptions
Lucius
Born in Rome but prosperous in Northern Africa, Lucius had a home, a wife, and a respected role in his community before Marcus invaded. Now, he is filled with rage over what he has lost and isn’t too keen on recovering what he left behind before his life in Africa.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Foe.”
Macrinus
A former slave who has risen in rank through society, Macrinus now feels like God speaks to him and plans to enact a fate that could bring Rome to its knees.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Equalizer.”
Marcus Acacius
Marcus is a weary general who has spent most of his life on the battlefield. He seems to be at a point where he would love to retire, but Emperors Geta and Caracalla have other plans.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The Wild Robot.”
Emperor Geta
Geta could be considered the more capable of the two co-emperors as he seems to have some control over his madness. However, like many in his position, insurrection and betrayal are constant fears he seeks to temper through grand and violent acts to dissuade the public.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Hoard.”
Emperor Caracalla
Emperor Caracalla is a bit of a madman, but, luckily, as co-ruler of Rome, his eccentricities haven’t led to the empire’s destruction. However, with his only trusted ally being a monkey and his penchant for violence, Rome better hope Geta lives to old age.
- The actor is also known for their role in “The White Lotus: Season 1.”
Lucilla
Lucilla, the daughter of Rome, has found a way to survive repeatedly since her father’s death, and her recent marriage to Marcus has only extended her existence in the face of an ever-changing Rome.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Nobody.”
Other Noteworthy Information
Where To Watch This:- Movie Contains: Violence Against Animals, Gore, Blood, Notable Fight Scenes, Depiction of Corpses, Drinking
- The distributor is also known for “Smile 2.”
- The director is also known for “Raised by Wolves.”
Review
Our Rating: 77/100 | Mixed (Divisive)
Audience
“Gladiator 2” is meant to appeal to those who want to see close-quarters combat, a more brutal version of politics than what can be done with the stroke of a pen, and those who thought “Gladiator” had a bit more juice to squeeze out of it, story-wise.
Highlights
Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington is the sole thing that makes “Gladiator 2” worth watching. While everyone gives a bit of old-world Shakespeare to their lines and performances, Washington seems the most at ease and truly gives this film an epic feel. As the former slave and soldier Macrinus, you see a legend having fun and enjoying his time and ability to play with those who are up and coming. It is a role that is giving, but as Macrinus decides to make his moves, you see an actor who knows how to switch from wanting to shine a light on others to reminding you why their career has been decades long and is filled with accolades.
I would even note that the fight scene Washington takes part in might be one of the few that felt a little more real, a bit less choreographed, than most.
On The Fence
The Emperors
The madness of Geta and Caracalla feels almost restrained despite what we see. Caracalla is enamored with a pet monkey, one he is willing to make the head of the armies. Geta, while he has a bit more sense, like any Emperor, he is paranoid and brutal in his own way. Both feel like they deserve their own film or show, of struggling to share power yet act as a united force to the public. So, having them be so constrained to allow Lucius’ story to play out feels like a disservice to their potential. Even if, at times, they seemed like tame versions of Caligula.
The Action Sequences
Do body parts get cut off? Yes. Is there blood and gore? Also, yes. However, there is rarely, if ever, a sense of brutality in any of the fights. You won’t find yourself wincing, flinching, or anything that pushes you to have an undesired connection to the victims, and sadly, in terms of the adrenaline Lucius and others may experience, it is a rare feeling to connect with them as well.
Ultimately, most of the action sequences feel well-rehearsed and executed, but they lack the free movement needed to believe two actors were genuinely trying to hurt each other. This is a major issue, as one of the selling points of Gladiator is watching people fight to the death.
Despite Connections To The First Film, There Is No Need To Get Emotionally Invested
While Lucilla, Lucius, and a few others have connections to the original movie, for the most part, “Gladiator 2” doesn’t get you invested. It feels akin to any action movie you can name, where you get a decent grasp on who is who, but what you are really there for is the action sequences, and who lives or dies doesn’t matter as much as how cool or violent a scene is. That’s how I felt throughout the movie, for I mostly took note that’s the guy from “Stranger Things,” or Pedro Pascal, more than I ever found myself saying that is this character or that one.
Even using flashbacks and items from the first movie, I never felt an emotional connection. I didn’t get the feeling that this was a story being completed or even necessary. But I should have known what was to come when they began the movie with the death of a certain character related to Lucius and not have expected things to get better from there.
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